Month 4 – Work, muscle tightness, and… all the fun on the tummy
How it all began – “the egg before the chicken”
R spent the entire pregnancy in a breech position — head up, bottom down. Normally, babies turn head-down around 5–6 months.
But R said: “No, no! I’m not a bat.” And he stayed like that. :))
Because of this, his head remained slightly bent, pressed by my liver. Around one month old, we noticed a significant neck muscle contracture. It even affected his latch, although I had improved his mouth opening with daily massage: gums inside the cheeks along the masseter muscles inside the lips outside the lips, under the nose and on the chin. This helped, but his neck needed a professional.
Physiotherapy — the real lifesaver
We found a wonderful physiotherapist who resolved the contracture in just 7 sessions. We started in Month 2, which is the ideal window.
Why early intervention (around Month 2) matters so much. At this age, the muscles and nervous system are incredibly plastic.
The neck is still highly “programmable”, responds fast, and long-term issues can be prevented.
Early therapy helps avoid: breastfeeding difficulties head and body asymmetries involuntary rolling delayed motor milestones head flattening (plagiocephaly)
It’s not “too early” — it’s the perfect moment.
Signs of a newborn neck contracture turns the head only to one side prefers one breast arches the back
lifts one shoulder higher cries during tummy time sleeps with the whole body curved like a “C,” not just the head may roll involuntarily toward the tight side — not precocious, just unbalanced :))
What therapy looked like big exercise ball work neck massage stimulating the arms to extend assisted head lifting and turning leg massage I continued everything at home until Month 3.
At one month old, he rolled to one side — I was SO proud — until I learned it was from stiffness, not advancement.
After therapy, he stopped rolling involuntarily, which allowed him to roll intentionally, at the right developmental moment.
Back to Month 1 — about swaddling Swaddling? A big NO for us.
Yes, it helps parents sleep.
But for development? Not really.
A baby’s brain is like a computer: what he sees and does during the day gets installed” at night. If he is wrapped, he can’t practice movements — not even accidentally — and that slows down motor learning and body awareness.
At our first check-up, when R was 2 days old, the pediatrician said:
“Goodbye, swaddling. It doesn’t help him.”
And she was right.
Why swaddling can contribute to hip dysplasia
The femoral head is a ball, and the hip socket is a small bowl.
The joint is very immature at birth, and babies naturally keep their legs wide apart.
Forcing the legs straight can slowly push the ball out of the bowl.
It doesn’t dislocate overnight — but it prevents proper formation over time.
About mittens
Mittens are useful only in the first month.
After that — not really.
Yes, they scratch themselves.
But scratching helps with hand awareness.
Yes, nails need frequent filing.
But around 3 months, they start grabbing toys — and it feels magical.
And it often happens earlier without mittens.
Tummy Time — the most important exercise
Tummy time doesn’t have to mean lying flat from day one. For us, it was a gradual, comfortable progression.
How we did tummy time
First month
On my chest, at a steep angle — he lifted his head easily.
Then
On my thighs while I sat, slowly lowering my knees to bring him closer to horizontal.
Still in Month 2
On my thighs while sitting on a chair.
Then
On a firm, flat surface.
When he got tired
A small pillow under his chest to make it easier.
How long? Easy positions: as long as he wanted.
Harder positions: 1 minute → 2 → 3.
Even 30 extra seconds a day was progress.
Why tummy time is essential
strengthens the neck, back, and core prevents head flattening, prepares rolling, sitting, crawling, walking
Safety rule
Always while awake, supervised, and on a firm, stable surface.
The “hard way” (but amazing for development)
We chose the hard way: no swaddling, no mittens, lots of contact naps, lots of time in the carrier, lots of arms, closeness, supervision
It’s not a universal model — just our story and what worked for R.
By Month 4, he was:
kneeling at the couch, looking out the window spending 20 minutes on his tummy, happily playing
Final thoughts
If you sometimes feel you’re not doing enough, trust me — you’re doing more than you know.
It feels like a 24/7 job:
By day, you’re a coach and a bodyguard.
By night, you’re on call, every single night.
But this is a short season — and it matters so much for them.
Every race depends on its start.
But this isn’t a race. It’s a marathon.
No competition. No rush.
Every month brings its own challenges — for them, and for us.
See you in Month 5. ❤️
