How can I stimulate my newborn's vestibular sense?

Finding your way through a maze means keeping track of direction. What’s up and what’s down? What’s right and what’s left? Did I just turn a corner — and how do I get back again? You might think the vestibular sense, also known as the labyrinthine sense, has something to do with finding your way through a maze. Maybe people with a well-developed vestibular sense never get lost in giant hospitals, department stores, or confusing car parks? Not quite.

The vestibular sense is one of our three primary senses. The other two are proprioception and the tactile sense. Together, these three primary senses form the foundation that allows us to move our bodies, experience ourselves and our surroundings in meaningful ways, and learn new things. They’re called primary because they create the base for the senses, brain, and body to work smoothly together — giving us balance, confidence, well-being, and a sense of security.

The vestibular sense helps us maintain balance and equilibrium. It tells your baby when their body is about to tip over, when they need to reach out to avoid falling, and how to steady themselves as they learn to hold their head up, sit, crawl, and eventually stand. It also helps us understand how the head is positioned in relation to the rest of the body. With a well-developed vestibular sense, we can automatically adjust and realign ourselves when we're thrown off balance.

How does the vestibular sense work in the body?

The vestibular system is made up of sensory organs and structures in the inner ear. Inside the inner ear, there’s a fluid that moves whenever we move. This movement helps the brain understand where the head is positioned in relation to the rest of the body. But when our eyes — our sense of sight — send signals that don’t quite match what the inner ear is reporting, we can start to feel dizzy or unwell. That can happen when we’re riding in a car, spinning on a carousel, or, for some people, even when swinging. In short, the vestibular system uses the organs and fluids in the inner ear to register movement, help us stay balanced, and prevent that unpleasant spinning feeling.

Without the vestibular sense, we’d be constantly dizzy, disoriented, and unable to do much more than lie on the floor. A well-stimulated vestibular sense helps us understand whether the surface beneath us is steady or moving — and whether we’re standing firmly or about to lose our balance.

When the vestibular sense is understimulated, people are more likely to feel nauseous or motion sick. That’s why many adults, for example, can no longer tolerate swinging or spinning — they start to feel dizzy and unwell because their body struggles to regain balance. The vestibular sense needs stimulation throughout life. If it isn’t used, it can become a little sluggish.

But what about newborns? Does your tiny, soft baby come equipped with a vestibular sense right from the start?

Yes, absolutely. Your baby has been gently “floating” in the womb for months, experiencing all kinds of movements and positions. In fact, during the final months of pregnancy, most babies lie head-down, which means the vestibular sense has already had plenty of practice before birth.

Premature babies, however, may sometimes have an understimulated vestibular sense. This is because they often spend what would have been the final months of pregnancy lying still in an incubator, without being gently turned and moved in different directions. Fortunately, babies learn incredibly fast, so there’s no need to worry.

Stimulating your baby’s vestibular sense is important, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple, cosy activities and playful movement, you can gently support this essential sense and help your little one feel confident, steady, and secure in their body.

Your newborn needs plenty of physical closeness, calm, and a gentle daily rhythm. And honestly, you probably don’t feel like high-energy activities either while the two of you are still getting to know each other.

There’s no need for ambitious training routines or constant new activities. Instead, focus on the basics: care, food, sleep, and being together.

Your baby’s vestibular sense is stimulated whenever you place their body in different positions. This happens naturally when you rock your baby in your arms. You can also gently rock them in a cradle, pram, or sensory swing. Carrying your baby close to your body — for example in a sling — also stimulates the vestibular sense, as your baby follows the natural movements of your body.

The popular Danish brand bObles offers a range of sensorimotor play furniture that can rock, sway, and roll in many different ways. These playful shapes are especially well suited for gently rocking and turning very young babies.

You can also support your newborn’s vestibular sense by encouraging them to turn their head from side to side. Simply give your baby something interesting to look at — perhaps a scarf or a few soap bubbles. As your baby grows, you can gradually begin to challenge their vestibular sense a little more.