Homemade: Roller for babies

16/3/2014

A homemade "roller" for babies to encourage tummy time. The roller allows a baby to weight bear on their arms as they reach for a toy. Encourage your baby to shift weight through their arms when gently moving forward. This is important for getting ready to crawl, strengthening the shoulder girdle and trunk.

Equipment needed

Stainless Steel drink bottle
Large bath towel (Bath sheet size)
Yoga mat
Elastic

How to make?

Place the drink bottle on the towel and roll tightly.
Roll the yoga mat over the towel.
Tie with elastic.

Homemade Roller for babies at www.yourkidsot.com

How to use?
Gently place baby (approximately 6 - 12 months) over the the roller. Provide support around the hips and gently roll the baby towards a toy. Encourage your baby to reach and play with a toy and to weight bear on their arms. Roll them back onto their legs and repeat. Be guided by your baby with how many times to repeat.

You may also provide an opportunity for your baby to kneel prior to rolling forward.

Caution: Always supervise your baby with the roller. Provide physical assistance and never leave your baby unattended with the roller. Adjustments should be made after each use to make sure it is firmly rolled up. This should not be used with toddlers and older children.

A homemade roller is useful for families who are looking to encourage tummy time and crawling without the expense of a store-bought foam roller. Why not share this with your mother's groups or playgroups? This is also great for therapists for use on home visits where budgets are tight. Have you got a baby learning to crawl?

7 Comments

Christie link

17/3/2014 08:59:37 am

It's funny, my 2 1/2 year old loves to roll just like this on my husband's foam roller, but I haven't tried it with my oh-so-close-to-crawling 8-month-old yet. From one OT to another...thanks!
-Christie (MamaOT.com)

Cindy (Your Kids OT) link

17/3/2014 02:54:04 pm

Thanks for reading my blog Christie. Hope your 8-month old enjoys "roller" time! I love learning from other OTs too (including your site).

Robin

18/4/2015 05:21:40 am

awesome, I will be trying this! My 11.5 mo old never crawled (only army crawled and now is doing the butt scoot), but she is getting close to walking. Do you have any other articles or advice on how I can encourage her to crawl in quadruped? I don't want her to skip this essential skill!

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link

18/4/2015 03:57:31 pm

Another article about crawling is on my "things to do list"! I think it is important for kids of all ages actually to get down on their hands and knees. You could try more tummy time positions (eg. on a ball, over your knee, pull her gently on a towel on her tummy) and kneeling at low furniture or toys. But don't get too worried if she skips this step and continue to provide her with opportunities to crawl even when she starts walking (eg. through a tunnel, on your bed, etc). All the best.

Aimee

20/6/2015 09:16:31 pm

Morgan link

15/7/2018 03:33:32 pm

Would this be helpful for my 10 month old who is not even sitting on his own? He does not put hardly any weight on his arms. He has low muscle tone as part of his condition on septo optic dysplasia

cindy@yourkidsot.com link

16/7/2018 08:07:50 am

Thanks for your question. Having not seen your son, I can't provide specific advice. Generally this would be good to encourage tummy time. You can use a rolled up towel or something of the appropriate size for him if a roller is too big. Provide support around the waist/trunk. You can start in a stationery position before introducing weight bearing forwards or backwards. Best of luck.

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is general in nature and should be used for educational and entertainment purposes. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. This blog does not replace formal therapeutic professional advice given by a health professional or medical practitioner. Reviews and endorsements of products will only be made based on my expertise and personal opinion; and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand. Content, advertising space or posts will be clearly identified if paid, affiliated or sponsored. Affiliate links may be found throughout this website in advertising. This means that if you follow through with a purchase from these links, Your Kids OT will receive a percentage of the sale. Your Kids OT undertakes to meet the requirements of the "Social Media Policy" as published by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Further information about this policy can be found here.

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Hi, I'm Cindy and I am an Occupational Therapist. I enjoy working creatively with children to see them reach their potential. Read more about me here.