If the child cannot
lift his head as you
pull him up, then
do not pull him
up. Instead, sit the
child up and gently
tilt him back a
little, encouraging
him to hold his
head up. Repeat
often, and as he
gains strength and
control, gradually
tilt him farther
back—but do not
let his head fall
backward.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 303
If the baby makes
almost no effort
to lift or hold her
head when you
feed her, instead
of putting the
nipple or food
into her mouth,
barely touch her
lips with it, and
make her come
forward to get it.
GOOD CARRYING POSITIONS
Carrying the child
like this helps
develop good head
control, when he is
face down.
Positions that keep the hips and
knees bent and the knees separate
help relax and give better control
to the child with cerebral palsy
whose body straightens stiffly and
whose knees press together.
cp
Carrying baby
like this frees
his head and
arms to move
and look around.
As your child develops
better head control, play
with him, supporting
his body firmly, but with
his head and arms free.
Attract his attention with
interesting objects and
sounds, so that he turns
his head first to one side
and then to the other.
disabled village children