Upside down in play

[Kassee]

Hi - my friend's husband turns his little son upside down in play. He is a year old. Wot does anyone think of that. It is all done in play, but Im not sure how the little boy must feel. I certainly wouldnt do it to my child - wot do you think? Could it be harmful?

[society]

I often see people doing this to their wee ones and I always want to scream "stop doing that". A neighbour once did that to my little sister and she fell on her head. Thank God nothing went wrong with her.

[MarkRae]

It's dangerous inasmuch as the child could fall on its head. But, a meteor could also land on the house and kill everyone. Or the child could be killed while crossing the road, even when holding the hand of one or both of her parents. Or the Martians could invade and kill everybody. Etc.

I used to do this to my niece all the time while she was growing up. She still talks about how much fun it was and how "Uncle Mark used to hold me upside down".

She's now a beautiful, well-adjusted and perfectly compos mentis young woman in her early 20s.

[Canary42]

Don't they spend the first nine months of their existence in a head down position ?

[sophie_1003]

As long as it's not for prolonged periods of time, the child isn't distressed and he's got a better grip than society's neighbour, shouldn't see that it would be too much of a problem.

[Kassee]

But he is only one year old

[MarkRae]

> Don't they spend the first nine months of their existence in a head down position?

If they're lucky. Of course, if they're born under water, then it doesn't matter too much...

[sophie_1003]

http://www.bubhub.com...owthread.php?t=228720

same question on this baby website, same concerns about dropping and if baby is distressed but actually evidence to show it's helpful to babies development

[society]

I don't care how healthy it is in aiding babys' development but I'd never do that or allow anyone to do that to my own.

[sophie_1003]

I probably wouldn't, at least not until child was older but just trying to alay Kassee's fears a bit.

[Mamyalynne]

I don`t think rough and tumble play does a little n any harm as long as is done safely.

[Kassee]

Thanks for all your comments - well i wouldnt do it myself to a child

[Mamyalynne]

Well indeed Kassee thats your choice and no doubt many others too, but opinions were asked for and given. An interesting topic in this day and age too.

[Answerprancer]

So long as he stops if the kid clearly doesn't like it I see no problem.

[Mr Veritas]

As the Father of 4 children,6 grandchildren,4,Gt Grandchildren,and ONE GT GT Grandchild,I would say this:~
It depends on how long he holds him like this.
How he is holding him,physically.
What he is doing whilst he holds him like this.
Is the child agitated.
Without more information there are too many inponderables to answer.

[MarkRae]

Well, in my case:
never more than a few seconds;
by the ankles;
er, nothing other than holding the child securely;
no.

As mentioned, she still talks of how much fun it was...

[tamborine]

Would you want to be held upside down? Wot is the point of doing it other than to view the privates. Play - fondle, can be misconstrued, deservedly so.

[Kassee]

Hi Mr Veritas, yes as with MarkRae - only seconds, done in fun, held securely, as a game, held still, not swung around or anything, just a second then up again. Not sure what child thinks - looks unsure.

Dad is bit hyper sort of person, does things on spur of moment, he is just playing and thinks his son is fine.

All yr answers have made me feel a bit better about it - although I still certainly wouldnt do it myself - and wouldnt want anyone else doing this to my kids.

[Kassee]

Tambourine, I dont think the "privates" have anything to do with it as you so eloquently put it. I think "upside down" comes in the realms of swinging children round and round, giving them a ride on your shoulders, and helping them to climb trees, making rope swings etc etc. Or playing rough play fighting/wrestling on the floor like most dads and boys do at some stage.

[ummmm]

Tambo...how on earth did you come up with that?

[ChuckFickens]

It's another bizarre reply from tambo!