Voluntary Movements

As you can see my babies are almost 3 months old. I have read that some time before 3 months old their movements should become voluntary and not reflex. So far I have not seen evidence of them choosing to move.

For those of you with babies around my age have yours started with voluntary movements? If so when?

For those with olders babies, when did this happen?

Should I be worried?

 

Hi Tammy!

We have a Twin Wiki entry with a link to an article on what they will look for at each well baby visit, including physical development. [Wiki]Well_Baby_Visits[/Wiki]

 

I think this is a really gradual process....neither of mine has completely lost the startle reflex yet, although it's not as bad as it used to be.

What sort of movements do you mean, specifically? My DD bats at hanging toys, but I've only seen DS do it a few times. Both of them chew on their hands, but have only managed to do this successfully in the last few weeks. (My older DD was sucking her thumb at 2 months, though, so it varies.)

DS started rolling from back to tummy last week, so I guess that's considered a voluntary movement? I think it's sort of early, though -- no sign of DD doing this. She does push with her feet and turns circles in the crib, though, and ends up at the other end, or with her feet sticking straight up against a side (and she looks puzzled as to why she's stuck, LOL).

What sort of things are you looking for?

 

Basically they just lie there and look around. I take care of my friends son who is 5 weeks older and he has been batting at toys on the play gym for over a month.

 

Do you guys work on tummy time? How do they do with that?

 

QUOTE(Becca34 @ Oct 4 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]435633[/snapback]
Do you guys work on tummy time? How do they do with that?



Tummy time is kind of funny. Since birth they have always loved tummy time. To them it is a wonderful way to fall asleep. My son occasionaly lifts his head while on his tummy, but does not use his arms to do it. He just flexes at the waist.

They do smile a lot though!

 

It sounds like you might just have nice, calm babies! If you're really worried, though, it can't hurt to just call and ask the ped.

Mine don't use their arms during tummy time, either -- and neither is very good at it, for that matter. DS struggles and manages to lift his head up for a few seconds, but DD just lies there and tries valiantly to suck her thumb...