After being curled up in the womb for nine months, babies like to be wrapped and held close for the first few months as they get used to the physical plane. There are some simple stretches you can do with them to introduce and encourage them to uncoil. I find doing them during a diaper/nappy change is a good time or when your playing with them on the bed or floor. Whenever you do it, make sure the baby is relaxed. It makes it more fun for both of you to sing a song or make it a game by counting in rhyme.

• Hold the baby's arms by the wrist and cross them over their chest and then straighten out at sides, alternating which arm is on top. Repeat 5-10 times.
• While still holding onto the wrists, lift arms up above the shoulders and back down to the sides. Repeat 5-10 times.
• With one hand holding one wrist and the other hand holding the opposite ankle, bring the hand and foot together in the centre of the baby's body. Repeat 5-10 times and then repeat for the opposite diagonal.
• Hold both feet by the ankles and cross the feet back and forth over each other. Repeat 5-10 times. While still holding your thumb on the bottom of each foot, push the knees gently up towards the stomach. Repeat 5-10 times. On the last push, rest the knees on the stomach, and gently rock the hips from side to side several times.

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