Landau — Parent Guide
Landau appears in later infancy and supports strong extension — head up, back straight, hips extended — important for posture and readiness to move.
Friendly note: These ideas support everyday learning and regulation. They’re not medical advice.
What is it?
When held in the air face‑down, babies lift the head and straighten the body against gravity. This helps build postural strength and usually quiets by toddler years.
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What parents might notice
- Slumped posture; tires when sitting upright
- Avoids tummy‑time activities or back‑strength tasks
- Finds it hard to keep head up for long during play
- May lean on furniture or the table for support
How to test (optional & gentle)
- Have your child lie on their tummy and lift head, arms, and legs (‘airplane’) briefly.
- Watch for the ability to hold a gentle lift without strain.
- If this is very hard, Landau patterns may still need practice.
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Safety first: Avoid testing if there’s back or neck pain. Keep holds brief and playful.
Home activities (playful & graded)
Start easy, keep it short, and make it fun. Practice most days for small, steady gains.
Easy (get comfortable)
- ‘Superman’ tummy lifts (very short)
- Rolling games with pauses
- Crawl‑and‑reach for toys
Medium (build control)
- Prone ball walk‑outs (belly on ball, hands walking forward)
- Wall angels (short sets)
- Bridge pose (short) with breaths
Advanced (confidence & rhythm)
- Locomotor play that mixes crawl → stand → carry
- Light resistance band rows (child‑safe)
- Balance disk sits with toy passes
Parent Pointers
- Start small: 5–10 minutes a day, about 5 days a week.
- Pick favorites: Choose 2 activities your child enjoys. Steady breathing and relaxed shoulders mean you’ve picked well.
- How much is “enough” today? 8–10 slow, smooth reps or 30–45 seconds without strain counts as a good set.
- On the right track: Over 2–4 weeks, look for smaller startles, quicker calming, and easier settling for sleep.
- Keep it kind: If your child looks tense or frustrated, shorten the set, slow it down, or switch to an easier activity.
Quick recap
Landau boosts postural strength for confident movement. Short, steady practice builds endurance without strain.