“Guppy” - Baby Neck Stretch
Baby Chiro Homecare Edition
What’s the “Guppy” Neck Stretch?
The "guppy" stretch is a technique to improve neck and tongue mobility in infants, particularly those with breastfeeding or oral function issues. It might helps promote neck extension and motor development.
Disclaimer: this advice is general only and isn't specific to you and your child's needs unless you are a client of ours and we have specifically prescribed this home-care. It's intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns please check in with us (if you’re a client) or with your local health practitioner if you’re not.
Also note that Kristin is using a doll and over exaggerating the movement in order for you to see what she’s doing. Please be gentle with your baby.
How to do it?
To perform the stretch, lay your baby on a flat surface, relaxed on their back. Holding under their shoulders with your finger tips either side of their spine.
- Gently lift and drag: ie lift under your fingertips.
- It will stretch through their spine, and encourage opening of their neck.
- Turn their neck to one side and repeat.
The goal is to open the neck fully, allowing it to extend.
Guppy baby stretch demonstration from the front. A baby “Guppy” is designed to help alleviate neck tension in babies that could be contributing to feeding issues, tongue/oral function, rotation of the neck and more.
Alternative ways to do a baby Guppy Stretch
You can also use traction as a way to do this:
- Lie your baby on your knees and allow their neck to gently traction off the edge of your knees (ie drop). Of course maintaining their secure hold on you with one hand and having the other hand ready to pick them back up.
- Lie your baby over a pillow
- Practice pull to sit: (pictured right) with a firm hold over both wrists (ie don’t traction the wrist) gently pull your baby’s arms and allow their neck to drop back for a short stretch. And slowly lower them back down.
Which babies benefit & when is it safe to try?
Babies with neck tension, a head tilt, or difficulty breastfeeding will benefit most. All babies can benefit from this stretch as it helps them move out of the fetal position, promoting strength, posture, and motor development. Start from Day 1 if you’re comfortable, but now is a great time too!
How long to hold the stretch?
Start with a few seconds and increase as your baby becomes more comfortable. Aim for 2-3 minutes if they’re relaxed, but stop if they’re tense or uncomfortable.
Reverse Tummy Time
The guppy stretch is a form of “reverse tummy time,” helping open the neck by tilting the head back. Pair it with tummy time to stretch (guppy) and strengthen (tummy time) in one routine.
A deeper stretch with feeding benefits
Encourage the baby to stick out their tongue as you extend their head. This engages the tongue, deepening the stretch and helping improve breastfeeding or bottle feeding by supporting tongue mobility.
Most importantly…
Be gentle and listen to your baby’s cues. If you’re ever unsure, consult a paediatric chiro or osteo or your child’s healthcare provider for guidance.
If you are a client of ours and need some clarification or help simply SMS us on 0491 064 117. Or ask us next time you’re in.
If you’re not a client but you’ve stumbled across this page we highly recommend booking in with your local paediatric chiropractor for an assessment before beginning these exercises. Book online with us here