Exercise makes babies more flexible and coordinated, and increses muscle strength and tone. It also encourages body awareness. It's advisable to supervise all exercise sessions with your baby. Remember that all babies are different and respond differently to ways of being handled. Talk or sing to your baby throughout your 'exercise' sessions.

Tummy time
From the age of six weeks, when a baby can hold his head up, it is recommended that he spend a reasonable amount of supervised tummy time during the day when his awake. It's the perfect way for your baby to gain upper body strengt - resting on his stomach and propping himself up with his arms helps develop the arm and neck strength needed for crawling. It also discourages a condition known as positional plagiocephaly, also referred to as flat head syndrome. Some babies cope better than others with the tummy position. Make sure you are always with your baby when you placed him on his tummy, and when he begins to get agitated, gently roll him over.Keep track of the amount of time he spends on his tummy, and slowly increase it so that by three months he is spending more then a few minutes each session. If he resists tummy time, encourage him with interesting toy objects. A play mat with a plastic mirror or toys attached will help keep your baby occupied. As he gets older and stronger, place a favourite toy just out of his reach so he will make an effort to get to it.

Kicking and streaching
Set aside some time for exercise and bottom airing during a nappy change. ensure your baby is lying on a soft towel in a warm safe place - for example, on the floor. Remove your baby's nappy, clean his bottom and then give him the opportunity to kick and stretch. Let him exercise his leg muscles until he had enough. Kicks without a nappy also allow his bottom to dry naturally and help prevent nappy rash.

Gripping exercises
Gripping exercises engourage development of fine motor skills. They also help to strenghten a baby's hands and upper body. Whenyour baby has tummy time, place some easy-to-grab toys close by to give him the chance to practice reaching and grabbing. Change the toys often so your baby doesn't become bored.

Sit-ups
When your baby has some head control, at around three months let him practice baby sit-ups. While he is lying in your lap or on the floor between your legs, hold onto both hishands and gently pull him into sitting position. Then lower him gently to his back. Repeat this several time if your baby enjoys it. By the time he is five months old, you should be able to pull your baby up to the standing position. This is great for the abdominal and leg muscles.

Push-me-pull-me
While your baby is on his back, gently rise his arms above his head and then lower them.. After several repetitions, move to the legs and one at a time, gently bend his knees.

Roll-me-over
Between three and eight months your baby will learn to roll over from back to front and back again. Rolling helps a baby's perception, and he'll be able to see those things missed out on while on his back. You can help him by gently rolling him onto his tummy and then returning him onto his back.