Ginny Cruz addresses the early years of childhood as a guest blogger, posting on a monthly basis. Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT, is a pediatric physical therapist and early intervention specialist with four decades of experience. An award-winning author, Ginny’s mission is to help moms stay sane during the diaper days. In addition to her monthly blog, she regularly contributes to Focus on the Family. Be on the lookout for her upcoming book, The New Mom’s Guide: Help and Hope for Baby’s First Year, coming in 2025. She is the mother of two grown sons, married to her college sweetheart, and enjoys hiking, camping, and reading. Connect at ginnycruz.com and subscribe to her blog and newsletter for more developmental tips.
Many infants spit up excessively during the early months of life. If your angel is a spitter-upper, or even if they’re not, try the football carry. Many kids love it!
Here are a couple of reasons the football carry works:
1. Your child's head is elevated. Keeping your tot's head slightly higher than their body decreases spit up because gravity pulls the milk down into the stomach, making it harder to spit up.
2. Your child is in constant contact with you. Many infants prefer being held. The football carry offers a way to lay them face down (modified tummy time), diminish spit-up, and walk, sway, or bounce them.
3. It allows you to keep your baby moving. Some babies not only want to be held, but they also love being walked, swayed, and bounced. The football carry combines tummy time, being held, and movement. You can walk, sway, and bounce your child to keep them content.
If you are afraid of dropping your child, practice the football carry while sitting on the sofa.
Most dads are comfortable with this carry but should remain gentle.
If you try the football carry, I'd love to hear how it goes.
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