Mezamé x Yada: little ones on the move!
It's always worth keeping in mind the old saying « less is more » — because yes, by trying to do too much, you can actually get in the way of free movement. Babies are made to roll and tumble all on their own! On a mat, that is ;)
And it all starts in the very first weeks, when what matters most for a newborn is to be held, comforted, loved. « What your baby needs most is emotional warmth — and you, as a parent, are the best person to give them that: by holding them in your arms, but also by accompanying them on the floor, right from those very first months of life. » For Manon Bidaud, a psychomotor therapist at Yada, time on the floor matters — and that's true from birth. Alternating with carrying (to help reduce the risk of plagiocephaly), floor time supports the development of your little one's awareness of the world. So of course, we stay attuned to our baby and put the stopwatch away: there are no rules about how long floor time should be, whether on their back or their tummy. At first, we'll lie down beside them on our backs, and we can offer them short moments on their tummy — just to get used to the position, gently strengthening their head and little back in preparation for the rolls to come. But at the first whimper, it's straight back into your arms!
It's precisely in these early months — when the senses, and especially vision, are developing so rapidly — that our black and white sensory cover really comes into its own: your baby can explore a surface with strong contrast and a whole range of textures to discover. No need to load the mat with toys — a single rattle can be enough (and luckily we've tucked one in with the cover ☺). And because we're thoughtful like that, we've designed a flap cover that slips on in seconds and comes off just as quickly to go in the machine!
A cover, a rattle, what else? « Be careful not to offer too many toys to your baby, and don't rush to put a rattle or soft toy straight into their hand. You want to give them the desire to move towards that little object they've spotted, to awaken their senses and their curiosity» Manon advises us. So keep things simple — and that stays true throughout their development, because a clear, open space will make it easier for baby to get around.
The first rolls will give way to early attempts at crawling. At this stage, it's best for baby to move around on the mat in light clothing — we mean the baby, not you! — barefoot and in a bodysuit, so their knees can grip the fabric well. Then will come the desire to sit up unaided. « The golden rule — the one to always keep in mind at every stage of development, Manon reminds us, is never to place a child in a position they haven't reached on their own. » Of course, you can sit them on your lap to read a story, but don't sit them alone in the middle of the mat if they haven't yet learned to get into that position themselves — even surrounded by a mountain of cushions. On the other hand, you can offer small props like a little cushion (this is where our +one cushion is the perfect companion) or a small step (or even a pack of water) that will help them push themselves up to sit. « Your child will rest their elbows on it and bring their knees forward into what I call the "little bunny" position — knees together, then knees raised — and they'll soon be sitting up all on their own! And most importantly, they'll feel confident because they'll be in control of getting into the position themselves. »
That's just one of the thoughtful pieces of advice that Manon and the Yada team share warmly at their spaces in Paris and Bordeaux. « Motor development is not a competition. There's no need to worry if a baby doesn't crawl on all fours before walking, or if they shuffle without going through the crawling stage. My advice is to seek guidance if they can't roll over by 7 months or aren't walking by 18 months. Before that, it's simply play, exploration, free movement — always accompanied, of course. The mat should be a central place in the home: a space for play and togetherness, a place where you spend time together, where you read stories. »
At Yada, you'll find non-judgmental support from birth to your child's third year, with dedicated professionals by your side. To better understand, breathe, trust yourself and care for your baby. A true haven of warmth!
>> more info at www.yada.care
