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Why Is My Baby Not Crawling or Rolling? Parents Need To Test Their Baby’s Lower Trunk Side Bend
this blog contains affiliate links
Hey There Proactive Parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, your go-to pediatric physical therapy bestie, and I'm thrilled to share some invaluable insights on helping your babies move with confidence, especially in rolling and crawling!
Today, we're diving into the magical world of helping your little ones learn to roll over (or crawl!) focusing on enhancing trunk mobility in a gentle, effective way.
Grab a cozy spot, and your favorite warm beverage (my current favorite is LMNT hot chocolate with some coconut milk!) and let's embark on this journey together.
Understanding Trunk Mobility
If this is your first blog post that you’ve read on my website, you might not know this but trunk mobility is BY FAR one of my most favorite topics to explain to parents.
The reason is because it's crucial to baby development, especially as a baby learns to roll over belly to back and back to belly. It’s the first time that as a parent, you might notice that there is a struggle, if they are lacking trunk mobility.
But often, parents are not educated that their babies even need trunk mobility, let alone that it’s essential for them to have in order to roll or crawl or heck even get from sitting into all fours to attempt crawling!
If your baby tends to favor one side such as only rolling over their left arm but not their right, or struggles with pivoting on their belly to the left or right, they might have a tight muscle preventing full range of motion.
With crawling, it can limit crawling all together or it often shows up as hitch crawling or booty scooting, both of which are not ideal ways for babies to crawl (we want hands and knees on the floor, and if they’re not moving in that way, then we want to know why!).
Hitch Crawling or Janky Crawling is when a baby is crawling with both hands on the floor, but only one knee. Typically the other knee is up near their trunk and their foot is on the ground. Typically THAT side of their trunk (the side of the foot on the ground) is tight.
Booty Scooting is when babies scoot forward/backwards on their bottom. This is typically due to multiple underlying reasons, one often being trunk tightness.
But don't worry, today we’re here to learn one option for helping babies resolve this tightness!
Total Motion Release (TMR)
Total Motion Release (TMR) is a gentle, innovative approach to improving mobility without the traditional stretching methods that might cause damage to the muscles. Traditional stretching pulls on muscles to lengthen them, which can cause micro damage to the muscle fibers, often resulting in soreness.
The TMR technique focuses on utilizing your baby's easier side of movement to encourage relaxation and increased mobility on the tighter side. It's a game-changer, especially for babies, as it's non-invasive, pretty relaxing, and highly effective.
Key Points of TMR:
Focuses on the "easy" side: TMR targets the side where movement is more effortless, enhancing mobility without strain.
Gentle and effective: Unlike traditional stretching, TMR avoids potential muscle damage, making it ideal for babies.
Recommended professional evaluation: It's best to have your child evaluated by a trained provider before attempting TMR techniques at home see this list of tmr trained therapists to see if there is one in your area.
How to Test and Apply TMR
Testing Side Bending Range of Motion:
Lie your baby on their back
Use the "C" hand shape (watch video for full explanation) by placing your fingers and palm on your baby’s buttocks with your thumbs between their legs
Gently guide your baby's pelvis towards one side like you are sliding along the floor (do not lift at all, keep full body in contact with the floor) until their trunk makes a “C” or backwards “C” shape. If the baby’s trunk does not easily make a C shape, stop at the level of resistance.
You may need to place your foot between their armpit and trunk on the opposite side if their upper trunk is trying to move away.
Identify the easier side: Observe which side your baby bends towards more comfortably, this is the easy side. If both sides go easily and make a full C shape at the trunk, the baby likely does not have any tightness in this direction. See our other directions of TMR here: category TMR link.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:46 ways to increase range of motion
2:36 how TMR is different than stretching
4:00 testing side bending range of motion in babies
6:15 using TMR lower trunk sidebend to improve mobility
10:23 figuring out which side to do on your child
12:56 UT / LT rotation TMR release
TOY IDEAS:
Similar Teething Toy
Teething pacifier
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
Applying TMR for Lower Trunk Side Bend:
Choose the easy side: Start with the side your baby naturally bends towards more easily.
Hold the position: Gently create a backward "C" shape with your baby's trunk on the easy side and hold for about two minutes, ensuring comfort and no resistance from your baby. If they kick out of it, allow them to move out of the position, distract them, and attempt again. Focus on 2 total minutes not counting the amount of time a baby needs for a short break.
Entertain and comfort: Offer your baby a toy or engage with funny faces and sounds to keep them calm and distracted during the hold. Teethers or small toys they can hold in their hands are great.
Incorporate vestibular motions: Following the TMR session, gently bounce your baby for 30 seconds to a minute to help regulate their central nervous system and cement the newly gained range of motion.
Practice what’s difficult: directly after bouncing, practice a play position or milestone that is difficult such as tummy time, sidelying play, back play, rolling, all fours, getting in/out of sitting, or crawling with support.
Retest mobility: After the hold, gently test both sides again to observe any improvements in mobility.
Repeat if necessary: If the sides still aren't equal, you may repeat the hold, always ensuring your baby's comfort. Often I encourage families to complete this 2-3x/day if possible only on the easy side and always following up with 30 seconds to 1 minute of bouncing.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations on taking this step towards enhancing your baby's mobility! Remember, every baby is unique, so observing and understanding their specific needs is key. If you're eager to learn more or need personalized advice, don't hesitate to reach out for a one-on-one online parent consultation. Together, we can ensure your little one moves confidently and joyously.
Remember, you're doing an amazing job, and by seeking out ways to support your baby's development, you're setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy, happy movement. Let's keep learning and growing together! If you haven’t yet, consider subscribing to the youtube channel for more support on milestones for infants to toddlers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Here's to many more milestones and joyful moments with your little ones!
Trunk Stretching Exercises For Babies To Help Them With Rolling or Crawling
this blog contains affiliate links
Hi there, proactive parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, your pediatric physical therapy bestie, dedicated to helping proactive parents like you support their babies in moving with confidence and ease.
Today, we're diving into an essential aspect of your baby's development: trunk rotation. Understanding and fostering this ability can significantly enhance your baby's progress towards milestones such as rolling, transitioning in and out of sitting, and even future activities like walking, running, and hopping.
Let's explore why trunk rotation is crucial and share two easy exercises you can do to improve it.
Why Trunk Rotation Matters
Trunk rotation refers to the ability of the top half of your child's body to move separately from the bottom half.
This skill is vital for:
Complex Movements: It enables actions like rolling, which require the upper body to rotate in one direction while the lower body rotates in the opposite direction.
Developmental Milestones: Trunk rotation is foundational for rolling over (both ways!), sitting independently, crawling, and the more complex motions your child will eventually tackle, like jumping and hopping.
Often we need flexibility before we are able to fully utilize the muscles that allow our bodies to move in the ways we want (or need) them to.
The Importance of Stretching in Trunk Rotation
A baby's trunk can move in three main planes:
Side to side — like the “I'm a little teapot” dance
Front and back — how we walk or go up stairs
Rotation — think of sitting in a chair and looking behind you
For functional movements, especially rolling, your baby needs to twist one part of their trunk in one direction while the other part remains in the opposite direction.
Ensuring your baby can move equally well in both directions is crucial for their overall mobility and the development of symmetrical movement patterns aka we need babies to move equally in both directions and the same on each side.
Before we go into the exercise, we need to talk about two methods that can get us to the same destination. Before filming this video I ONLY had heard about traditional stretching, where we bring a body part to feel the stretch, hold it for at least 30 seconds, and then do the opposite side so we’re balanced.
Since this video has been published, I have been additional trained in Total Motion Release Tots or TMR Tots.
TMR uses a different approach to increase motion. It shortens the muscle to relax it, then increases body awareness through bouncing or another option. This ONLY happens on the easy side.
So going forward, you can use either of these exercises by using Traditional Stretching by doing both sides OR TMR approach where you ONLY use one side, the easy side holding for 1-2 minutes, and follow up with 30 seconds to 1 minute of bouncing.
I personally prefer the TMR approach because it feels a little like magic, babies fight it less, relax into it more, and overall I get the best results when using this option.
That being said, traditional stretching is not WRONG – it’s simply a different route to get to the same destination, I just happen to find that the TMR approach has less traffic lights :)
Ideally, regardless of which option you use, you follow up with some tummy time, sidelying play, back play, or rolling/crawling/sitting practice.
For the most comprehensive information, it’s recommended to watch the full video below.
Exercise 1: Stretching Baby's Trunk Rotation on Their Back
This first exercise is designed to improve your baby's trunk rotation while they're lying on their back. It's a gentle way to stretch and promote flexibility.
How to Do It:
Lay your baby on their back.
Gently hold under one of your baby's knees and bring it across their body towards the opposite elbow. Keep your hand resting on their same side shoulder to note when it start to lift off the ground, this shows you when you have taken up all the available range. The baby is now in trunk in rotation.
Repeat on the other side, noting if one side feels tighter or more challenging to stretch than the other. Only go to the baby’s available range and not past.
You can use this position to increase range of motion in the following ways if a baby shows tightness in both directions (both shoulders are off the ground) or one (just one shoulder is off the ground more than the other).
Traditional Stretching: Like it says in the video, you can hold both of these positions for 30 seconds to 2 minutes based on the baby’s attention span and tolerance. This is going to increase range of motion by pulling on the shortened tissue and you might find that the baby resists the “tight” or difficult side. This can be frustrating for parents if a baby kicks out of a position while they are trying to improve their mobility. Always allow babies to move out of positions if they are uncomfortable and never push past the level of resistance present.
TMR Tots Approach: ONLY hold the baby in the easy direction for 1-2 minutes and follow up with 30 seconds to a minute of bouncing. This often gets quicker results (you can always check both directions before/after for a quick bit but only HOLD the EASY side) because the baby is able to easily relax into the easy direction thus allowing the muscles to relax and improves in overall flexibility on both sides.
It often feels a little bit odd when I teach it to parents, but I do really like this approach and use it almost exclusively.
Exercise 2: Holding Position for Trunk Rotation
My favorite exercise doesn't require dedicated time out of your day because it can be incorporated into how you hold your baby as you go about your routine. It's a fantastic way to stretch your baby's trunk rotation while engaging with them.
How to Perform:
Hold your baby with their back against your chest, keeping their trunk steady against your body.
Slide one hand between the FRONT of your baby's legs and then rest your hand on their bottom cheek that is the same side as your arm – if your left arm is holding the baby, your other hand is going to go through the front of their legs and rest your hand on their left buttock or vice versa.
Gently rotate your baby's pelvis by bringing your bottom elbow backwards/behind you to the level of their available range (as far as they easily go and not past). Make sure to keep their shoulders aligned with yours (their chest does not move and they should stay vertical).
The motion at your elbow creates a gentle twist in their trunk by moving their pelvis (think of like how you would twist out a wet wash cloth but instead of horizontal, it’s vertical).Walk around, allowing your baby to see the world from this new perspective. This not only helps with trunk rotation but also provides sensory stimulation.
Traditional Stretching: Like it says in the video, you can hold both of these positions for 30 seconds to 2 minutes based on the baby’s attention span and tolerance. This is going to increase range of motion by pulling on the shortened tissue and you might find that the baby resists the “tight” or difficult side. This can be frustrating for parents if a baby kicks out of a position while they are trying to improve their mobility. Always allow babies to move out of positions if they are uncomfortable and never push past the level of resistance present.
TMR Tots Approach: ONLY hold the baby in the easy direction for 1-2 minutes and follow up with 30 seconds to a minute of bouncing. This often gets quicker results (you can always check both directions before/after for a quick bit but only HOLD the EASY side) because the baby is able to easily relax into the easy direction thus allowing the muscles to relax and improves in overall flexibility on both sides.
**to determine the easy side, use the floor exercise (exercise #1) to determine which shoulder is closest to the ground.
Right shoulder closest to ground = Right Upper Trunk Rotation is Easy = YOUR RIGHT ARM goes around their chest.
Left shoulder closest to ground = LEFT Upper Trunk Rotation is Easy = YOUR LEFT ARM goes around their chest.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:48 what trunk rotation is needed for
1:07 why trunk rotation in babies is important and why they need to stretch in trunk rotation
3:00 exercise 1: how to stretch a baby in trunk rotation on their back
3:53 the easier way to stretch a baby in trunk rotation
4:43 exercise 2 holding position that helps stretch a baby in trunk rotation
6:00 this philosophy is different than traditional stretching and is called TMR (total motion release) for this type of release please see video here: Total Motion Release Technique for more explanations
TOY IDEAS:
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
Understanding Trunk Rotation
Why It's Effective: These exercises stretch the upper and lower parts of the trunk in opposite directions, mirroring the essential movement patterns needed for rolling and other developmental milestones.
Why This Matters
Investing a few minutes daily in these simple exercises can make a significant difference in your baby's physical development. Trunk rotation is a cornerstone of movement, and by fostering this skill early on, you're paving the way for your baby to achieve milestones with greater ease and confidence.
Working Together for Your Baby's Best Start
If you've tried these exercises and have questions or if you're seeking more personalized guidance, I'm here for you. Check the pinned comment for a link to book a one-on-one consultation with me or schedule right here. We can dive deeper into your baby's developmental journey, ensuring you have all the tools and knowledge to support their growth every step of the way.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
As parents, taking the time to understand and support your baby's development is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Trunk rotation is just one piece of the developmental puzzle, but it's a critical one. By incorporating these simple exercises into your daily routine, you're not only bonding with your baby but also actively contributing to their future success in rolling, crawling, and beyond.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to support your baby's development. Remember, you're doing an incredible job, and I'm here to support you. Stay tuned for more tips and insights to help your baby move with confidence and ease! If you haven’t yet, consider subscribing to the youtube channel for more videos for baby to toddler development.
How to Test A Baby’s Trunk Flexibility With This Rolling and Crawling Exercise
this blog contains affiliate links
Hello there, proactive parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist, here to share some valuable insights into your baby's development.
Think of me as your pediatric PT bestie for all things related to helping your little ones move with confidence and ease. Today, we're diving into a topic that's both fascinating and crucial for your baby's growth: trunk mobility.
To be honest, it sounds kind of boring, but let me tell you – once you know about it, you will be able to unlock secret, hidden blocks that your baby might be experiencing if rolling or crawling is a struggle.
So, let's get started on this journey together!
Introduction to Trunk Mobility in Babies
You might not realize it, but trunk mobility is a big deal for babies. It's the foundation upon which many gross motor milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking are built.
However, many parents aren't aware that babies can have restrictions in their trunk, leading to a preference for moving in one direction or not being able to access the motion necessary in both directions, causing them to stay in one position like sitting or lying on their back.
This can cause muscle imbalances and make those milestones especially rolling and crawling more challenging than necessary.
Why It Matters to Test A Baby’s Trunk Flexibility
Muscle Imbalances: Tightness in the trunk can lead to asymmetrical movement patterns (this means that one side moves well, while the other doesn’t), potentially impacting your baby's ability to reach milestones smoothly. This can also occur globally if babies are tight in both directions.
Gross Motor Milestones: Proper trunk mobility is essential for rolling back to belly and belly to back, sitting independently, crawling, and eventually walking.
Quick Trunk Mobility Test: Elbow to Knee
For the most comprehensive information and examples on a baby please watch the youtube video below.
I'm excited to share a simple mobility test that you can do at home to check for trunk tightness or decreased mobility in your infant. This test can reveal if there's a significant difference in mobility from one side to the other.
How to Perform the Infant Trunk Mobility Test
Positioning: Gently place your baby on their back, then grasp under their left knee with one hand and behind their elbow with your other.
Movement: Gently hold beneath your baby's elbow and try to touch it to the opposite knee, only going as far as their resistance allows (never pushing past their resistance and always stopping when there is no more slack available).
Notice the motion of the knee coming to the elbow occurs at your baby's pelvis not their actual hip joint. The bottom of the baby should lift up into flexion (baby’s back and bottom are rounded).
Observation: Notice if one side seems easier or more difficult for your baby compared to the other. If one side the elbow and knee easily come together, touching or almost touching but the opposite is 3-4 inches a part, note the side that is difficult and approximately how far away the knee is from the elbow.
TIMESTAMPS:
2:32 Test for Babys Trunk Flexibility
3:14 indepth breakdown of how to complete the test
4:27 what this means and how it could impact crawling or rolling
TOY IDEAS:
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
Understanding the Infant Trunk Mobility Test Results
If you find that there's a noticeable difference between the two sides, it might indicate trunk restrictions. This doesn't mean your baby won't hit their milestones, but they might face more difficulties.
It is important to note trunk restrictions, especially if a baby if struggling with a functional task, in their cases movement milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking.
What Differences Mean and How to Break Them Down
Every child is different, so the follow is a typical understanding of movement limitations; however, not every single child will present this way and it’s important to note how your child is moving and if there is any tightness present AND difficulty with milestones, to reach out to a pediatric PT to further assist in resolving.
Right Elbow – Left Knee is difficult or not as close: This is likely due to decreased range of motion or mobility in the right rotation of the upper trunk and/or left side bend of the lateral trunk (upper and/or lower trunk).
Babies may experience difficulty with:
Back to belly over the left arm
Belly to back over the right arm
Pivoting on their belly to the left
Sit to all fours to the right
Crawling on all fours
They may also present with Hitch crawling with R foot on the ground and L knee on the ground
Left Elbow – Right Knee is difficult or not as close: This likely is due to decreased range of motion or mobility in the left rotation of the upper trunk and/or right sidebend of the lateral trunk (upper and/or lower trunk).
Babies may experience difficulty with:
Back to belly over the left arm
Belly to back over the right arm
Pivoting on their belly to the right
Sit to all fours to the left
Crawling on all fours
They may also present with Hitch crawling with L foot on the ground and R knee on the ground
Both are difficult or pretty far apart > 1 inch: Babies may show difficulty in back to belly / belly to back / crawling / or transitioning in/out of all fours. They may also be okay with one direction but not all directions ie back to belly or belly to back over one arm but not in all four directions (belly to back over R arm, belly to back over L arm, back to belly over R arm, back to belly over L arm).
They may also present with booty scooting or prolonged army crawling, because these positions do not require side to side (side bend) or rotation directions.
If You Notice Asymmetries
Seek Professional Help: A pediatric physical therapist can provide hands-on assessment and personalized strategies for babies or speaking to a pediatric physical therapist through an online parent consultation can help you understand the movement that your child is presenting with and assist in finding either proactive play strategies or providers in your area.
Don't Panic: Consider any limitations as a data point to be proactive rather than a cause for alarm. Often, these “tests” are orthopedic in nature indicating that the baby is struggling with muscle tightness, not necessarily difficulty in coordinating the movement together.
Pediatric physical therapists can help you figure out any red flags for development if you do have more global concerns.
The Impact of Infant Trunk Mobility on Development
Restrictions in trunk mobility can influence various developmental milestones because these activities require multi-plane movements, such as rotating the trunk while also bending at the trunk, while fighting gravity.
Rolling is the most specific milestone in which trunk rotation and side bending can significantly limit a baby’s experience and achievement of movement milestones. See the Learning to Roll book, that I released in October 2023 for a comprehensive guide to improve trunk mobility and master tummy time and rolling in all four directions.
When a baby is beginning to sit independently they need trunk mobility is key to maintaining balance and posture, trunk mobility allows the muscles to turn on and off in sequence during different demands of gravity such as reaching to the front or side.
When babies move from their back to sitting and sitting to all fours, they need both side bending and rotation in order to do it. Most babies who struggle with rotation, begin to choose alternative, disadvantageous movement patterns such as booty scooting instead of crawling on all fours.
This is often due to them not having the available movement and with focused intention and support, they can often achieve crawling on hands and knees.
If you're concerned about your baby's trunk mobility or just want to ensure they're on the right track, remember, I'm here to help, you can schedule an online parent consultation at any time.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
Your role in your baby's developmental journey is monumental, and by being proactive, you're setting the stage for their future success. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out. If you haven’t yet, please consider subscribing to the youtube channel or share it with a parent friend.
Together, we can ensure your baby moves with confidence and joy!
Thank you for joining me today, and remember, you're doing an incredible job as a parent. Stay tuned for more tips and insights to support your baby's growth and development!
How to Improve Head Control in Babies with the Pull To Sit Exercise
this blog contains affiliate links
Hey there, proactive parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist, author, and your guide to learn how to help your babies move with confidence and ease.
Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a fun exercise known as the "pull to sit" – that's not just a game-changer for your baby's core strength but also a milestone checker used by pediatricians worldwide.
Why is the Pull to Sit Exercise a Milestone Checker?
Because it is a good gauge to see if a child is able to tuck their chin and hold it in that position against gravity when their body is going up and going down.
This shows that the neck muscles on the front (deep neck flexors) are working both in their ability to activate AND in their ability to hold that position for a prolonged period of time (long enough to not give up half way through the motion).
Babies three months and older have appropriate neck strength if they can complete a chin tuck while being brought into a sitting position and back into a lying position without letting their head fall backwards, what healthcare providers call a “head lag.”
Head lags mean that babies lack the neck strength to hold their heads in the chin tucked position throughout that movement, either because the muscles are weak or tight.
This position can also be used as an exercise to help build that neck strength in babies who are typically developing or who have developmental delays.
This exercise is truly all about empowering your little one to build the muscles needed for rolling, sitting independently, crawling, and beyond. Let's dive into making your baby's movement milestones memorable and fun!
Why the Pull to Sit Exercise is a Must-Try and Must Master Movement
Pull to sit is fundamentally a test that checks for your baby's ability to activate their deep neck flexors, tuck their chin, and use their shoulder girdle and abdomen to sit up from a lying position.
Typically Pediatricians check this motion by placing their fingers in both of a baby’s hands and the baby pulls themselves into a sitting position.
Not all Pediatricians will check both the “up” and “down,” component of the movement and traditionally if a baby is able to do the “up” portion, they are deemed appropriate in age development.
This milestone typically emerges around three months, signaling that your baby is on the right track with their head control and is ready to tackle the world—one sit-up at a time.
Observing Your Baby's Response to the Pull to Sit Exercise
Normal Response: A baby tucks their neck and uses their arms and abdomen to pull into a sitting position. The baby uses their arms to PULL themselves into sitting, meaning they bend their elbows and bring their chest forward the full way.
If a baby does not bend their elbows to pull themselves into the sit position and both of their arms stay straight DO NOT pull them into a sitting position with their arms straight. This automatically demonstrates difficulty with this movement and go into the exercise portion with your hands supporting behind their shoulders.
Weakness/Not Mastered:
Head Lag: If your baby’s head goes backward (into extension) and they are not able to keep their chin tucked during ANY part of this test (going up or going down).
This can happen if a baby hasn't had ample tummy time, hasn’t practiced this motion before, struggles to grab their feet, has tightness in their neck or chest, or hasn’t been introduced to sidelying play.
Head lag can be at the beginning, in the middle where a baby seems to “give up” and their head falls backward, or a forceful “no longer interested” by flinging their head/body backwards.
Most times, going down is going to be more difficult than going up and keeping your fingers available to support the head so it doesn’t go backwards if a baby stops maintaining the chin tuck is always encouraged.
Not using the arms to pull and keeping the elbows straight: Sometimes parents pull their babies into a sitting position with the baby’s arms straight, this can cause damage to their arm and shoulder muscles because the baby is not engaging their shoulders and bringing themselves into sitting.
When testings at the arms/hands, parents should encourage the baby to do all the work, going as slowly as needed. If the baby is not bending their arms to pull themselves into sitting, immediately provide support behind the shoulder blades and complete the screen that way.
When completing as an exercise I always continue to provide support behind the shoulder blades when doing 5-10 repetitions. I will “test” 1-2 at the hands to make sure they can do it, but prefer to always support at the shoulders to focus more on the trunk and neck strength vs arm strength.
How to Practice the Pull to Sit Exercise Safely and Effectively
For the most comprehensive information and examples using babies, please watch the youtube video below
For Babies Not Yet Pulling Actively: Modification
If your baby isn't engaging their muscles during pull to sit, don't fret! We'll start with modifications to build up their strength gently.
Elevate: Start with your baby elevated where their shoulders are above the level of the hips. I do this usually by placing their shoulders and upper back lying backwards on a boppy, but parents can do this using a wedge, cushion, or throw pillow.
Elevating the baby pulls out the toughest first 25% of the motion as gravity is the meanest between 0-25 degrees when going from lying on your back to sitting (either on your own or with help). By elevating, we simply remove that difficult portion to build strength in the easier range.
Once we master the modified version by completing x10 repetitions, moving onto harder version will be easier.
Support and Slow Motion: Support your baby under their shoulders, moving slowly to encourage them to tuck their chin and engage their core. You can add into toys in their lap when coming into sitting or using a pacifier to keep them engaged and calm.
Calming Techniques Between Reps: Offering gentle bounces or a snuggle between reps can soothe your baby, making the exercise more enjoyable.
For Babies Ready for More Challenge
Go Flat: Using an incline, like a boppy pillow, reduces the challenge by focusing on the upper 50% of the movement, making it easier for your baby to practice the pull to sit. Once they can complete x10 in a row on a boppy with chin tucked in both going up and going down, move them to flat on the floor and build up to x10 there.
Bonus for Parents & Babies: For older babies, encourage them to use their hands to pull up from the ground or from your lap. When parents place the baby on their lap they even get a core workout too.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:41 introduction to pull to sit and what it is and why doctors test pull to sit
1:43 what happens if a baby has a head lag in pull to sit
1:58 what to do if your baby is not using their arms in pull to sit
2:38 pull to sit 3-6 month olds
3:03 how many pull to sits should you do with your baby
3:15 calming techniques for babies why cry during exercises
3:30 how to support the head and neck with supine to sit
4:00 how babies tend to compensate if they have weak neck muscles
4:36 vibrating oral toy to increase the effectiveness of pull to sit
5:15 how to build the most strength for head control
5:35 what to do if your baby is struggling with pull to sit
8:07 modified pull to sit on an elevated surface
9:16 advanced pull to sit on parents legs using arms
10:03 pull to sit with hands from the ground (older baby)
TOY IDEAS:
Z Vibe Teether
Z Vibe Tips
Vibrating pull toy (similar)
Small Tummy Time Boppy
Prop a pillar
Wedge
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
Key Takeaways for Successful Pull to Sit Exercise Sessions
Watch for Compensations: If your baby tries to use upper trunk extension instead of tucking their chin, support them under their shoulders to encourage core engagement.
Use Props: A small, vibrating oral motor toy can encourage your baby to grasp with both hands, promoting a tucked position and engagement of the right muscles.
Praise and Encouragement: Celebrate every effort, no matter how small, with lots of praises and cuddles.
Understanding Your Baby's Strength and Tolerance
Babies have varying levels of tolerance for exercises. If your baby can only handle a few repetitions before needing a break, that's perfectly okay. The goal is to encourage movement without pushing too hard, respecting your baby's limits and celebrating their progress.
Every single repetition will build on itself, if a baby has to start with x3 from an elevated surface done 5x/day, that is fine. Add them into diaper changes.
Once x3 are consistently tolerated (and may even enjoyed!) start adding repetitions until you can successful get to x10 in a row. THEN make it more challenging by going flat on the floor or decreasing the height of the incline (wedge to boppy to small throw pillow to floor).
Why Gravity Matters
Gravity is the invisible force that your baby battles with every pull to sit. Initially, gravity pushes babies harder because it is stronger in a perpendicular direction than it is at an angle, making the first part of the movement from floor to 25 degrees incline more challenging.
As your baby pulls up, gravity then goes from pushing them down to being less intense to even at times assisting them.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for joining me on this journey to strengthen your baby's core muscles through the pull to sit exercise.
Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, and the goal is to support them with love, patience, and encouragement. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out for an online parent consultation.
Together, we can ensure your baby builds the strength they need to explore the world around them with confidence.
Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on helping your little one move better, and don't forget to share this post with other parents in your circle. If you haven’t yet, make sure to subscribe to the youtube channel and share it with other parents looking for proactive play ideas for their babies.
Here's to happy, healthy development for all our littles!
How To Stretch A Baby’s Neck and Arm Muscles With Baby Backbends
this blog contains affiliate links
Hello, proactive parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist with a passion for helping active parents and their little ones move better. Today, I’m super excited to share with you a playful and effective exercise to stretch your baby’s abdomen, neck, and arms.
This routine is not just fun but crucial for developing flexibility, supporting milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, and addressing conditions like torticollis. Our goal is to make movement a magical experience, for both parents and babies.
As a bonus, this exercise also incorporates the vestibular system, an important sensory system that helps your baby begin to understand where they are in space and help them balance.
Stretching the Neck, Arms, and Belly: Baby Backbends on a Stability Ball
This exercise is often a baby favorite, don’t be surprised if you find them giggling and loving this exercise because it is new and novel.
This exercise uses a stability or exercise ball to help your baby ensure they have the flexibility they need in the front part of their body. Often babies can have tightness in the front of their necks, sides of their trunks/under their arms, and the front of their bellies.
The stability ball provides a gentle and supported way to help babies relax in this position, while incorporated gentle backward/forward motion in order to help facilitate the stretches.
How to Do It
for the best and most comprehensive information, make sure to watch the youtube video down below
Type of Ball: The first thing you’re going to need for this exercise is a stability ball or exercise ball. Often families have one in the home already, but if not one can be purchased off amazon, at target, or walmart, second hand or even borrowed from a family member or friend.
The best size is between 45-65 centimeters and can depend on the size of the baby. Babies that are small and 3-4 months I often recommend small stability balls closer to 45cm but most babies do well on a 55cm stability ball.
Sometimes, 65cm balls can be tough for smaller parents get close to their baby, so I don’t often recommend that big of a ball, but if that is what you have at home, just deflate it a little bit so it isn’t too tall.
When you are on your knees, you want to be able to have your baby lying back on the ball at approximately your hip/lower chest level. You want to make sure you can comfortably bring your chest over the top of the ball to bring them back into a supported sitting or held position.
Position: Keep your body close to your baby and gently lay your baby on their back on the top of the stability ball, with their feet near your body, face up, and the top of their head pointing away from you.
Support: Place your hands securely on their pelvis, I prefer to keep both hands on the top of the pelvis, you want to make sure the baby’s legs lay straight and don’t curl up toward their bellies. You want the baby to be in a gentle backbend.
Action: Gently roll the ball forward and backward, allowing your baby’s head to relax and stretch out the belly. The baby’s neck should be open with their head resting on the ball.
Benefits: This movement stretches the abdomen, neck, and arm muscles and provides vestibular input, which is calming and helps with sensory integration.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:50 stretch for babys neck and belly exercise #1 backbends on stability ball
1:21 stretch for babys neck exercise #2 both hands down backbends on stability ball
2:25 using bounces to calm baby down and increase vestibular regulation
3:07 stretch for babys neck exercise #3 one arm down backbends on stability ball
6:03 how to use exercises to a baby's tolerance
45-75cm stability balls [multiple colors and all sizes]
TOY IDEAS:
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
There are two options for where the arms go:
Arms at the sides to emphasize stretching the neck
Arms above the head to emphasize stretching the neck and arms
If a child has a history of torticollis, sometimes holding the arms at the sides will assist in focusing on the neck, but the truth is that sometimes it feels harder to hold the child in the right position when holding their arms down.
These days, I personally prefer allowing the child’s arms to be free, ideally overhead. A lot of children have tightness in the front of their chest and when they are lying backwards over the stability ball, their upper trunks are in extension, this makes bringing their hands overhead even hards, putting more of a stretch on the sides of their trunk.
To help encourage the relaxation of these muscles, I love when another family member or sibling is standing or kneeling by the baby’s head and gently touches the arms encouraging them to go straight.
You do not want to push the baby’s arms toward the ball, you only want to gently stroke the childs arms or tickle the arms or try to get them to reach for your hands. The goal is for the baby to relax their arms overhead over time, not the first time.
Tips for Helping Babies Relax & Stretch Their Arms & Necks
Gentle Guidance: Use your hand to gently guide the top of their chest and stretch the fascia.
Come Up With Ease:
2-5 months: To help your baby come up, bring your chest close to their body and bring your arms behind the baby to support their body and head. Bring them to your chest and lift off the ball.
6 months+: To help your baby come up, gently roll them to the side and encourage pushing up with their arm, going into a sit to sidelying to sit “sit up,” fostering a mix of strength and flexibility.
Use Bounces: Between repetitions, if your baby has head control, you can bring them into sitting and gently bounce on the ball. This can be soothing and is great for vestibular input.
How Many Times or How Long? Babies do really well with this exercise when completing 10-30 times or for 2-5 minutes total (with seated or holding breaks).
If a baby struggles with this exercise, it might be due to tightness in the front of their neck or chest. This is still a great exercise for babies with tightness in those areas to do, but parents may need to go slower to their specific baby’s tolerance.
If a baby only tolerates 5 forward/backward motions, then stop there and build 1-2 more if tolerated. It may take a few days or week to slowly build up to 10-30x.
Making It a Soothing Routine
These activities are perfect for winding down and getting ready for bed. The combination of stretching and vestibular input from bouncing can be incredibly soothing for your baby, making this routine a fantastic prelude to nighttime calmness.
This obviously should not be done before bedtime, if a baby struggles with this exercise, doing it during wake periods would be more appropriate in those cases.
Why This Matters: Babies Who Struggle With Tummy Time
This isn’t just about stretching; it’s about nurturing your baby’s development in a holistic way. These exercises promote flexibility, enhance sensory integration, and build a foundation for future milestones.
When baby’s have tightness in the front of their bodies including their arms, chest, or neck they are at risk for struggling with rolling and tummy time.
In order for babies to lift their heads in tummy time, they need both the strength in the back of their neck muscles to lift their head against gravity AND they need to have the flexibility in the muscles in the front of their neck and chest to ALLOW the head go into extension.
Additionally, babies need to be able to bring their elbows to the side and slightly in front of their shoulders in order to be able to push through the ground and lift their chest and head up.
If babies have tightness in the side of their trunks and arms, one or both arms might not be able to come forward, because the tight muscles are pulling the elbow back.
This makes it inefficient, so babies are not able to have their elbow in the appropriate position and they’re not able to push through the ground to lift their chest and head/neck as they would if they had the flexibility in the side of their trunk, their chest, and arms.
These same muscles, if they are tight, can also impact rolling both back to belly and belly to back. For more information on how tight muscles impact rolling, see the Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
Embracing Baby’s Tolerance and Celebrating Effort
Every baby is unique, with their own preferences and tolerance levels. It's crucial to follow their lead, celebrating each attempt and giving plenty of cuddles and praise. Remember, it’s not about pushing; it’s about encouraging and supporting your baby’s journey so that they learn to love and feel safe during movement.
If You Have Questions:
Never hesitate to reach out to a local pediatric physical therapist. They're the experts who can guide you through understanding and enhancing your baby’s movement. And, of course, I’m here too! I offer international parent consultations to dive deep into education and exercises for specific milestones. You can also ask any questions you have on baby development or what you’re seeing in how your child is moving.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Your experiences, questions, and insights are invaluable. Drop a comment below the video, share your stories, and let’s create a community where all of us, together, can empower our little ones to move with joy and confidence.
Subscribe for More Videos & Tips
By subscribing to the channel, you’re not just gaining access to a wealth of knowledge; you’re also helping other parents find these resources. Together, let’s spread the word and make a difference in the lives of babies everywhere.
Thank you for joining me in this delightful journey of movement and growth. Remember, every little stretch, every giggle, and every moment spent together builds a foundation for a lifetime of healthy movement. Here’s to happy, healthy babies!
Total Motion Release for Babies: Relieve Infant Tension to Improve Motor Milestones
this blog contains affiliate links
Hello there! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist. Through this blog, I'm excited to share with you an effective technique known as Total Motion Release (TMR) that I've found incredibly beneficial for babies. My aim is to guide proactive parents like you in helping your little ones release tension and move with ease. Consider me your physical therapy bestie helping you help your babies move well.
What is Total Motion Release (TMR)?
Total Motion Release is a concept that is based in osteopathic medicine called the modified strain counterstrain principle. In simpler terms, it's about shortening a muscle to help it relax, thereby gaining range of motion in the opposite direction.
This technique is gentler than traditional stretching methods, which involve lengthening the muscle, creating that resistance you feel in your muscles when you stretch. In TMR, we do the opposite - we shorten the muscle, which is especially effective for babies due to its gentle nature.
Traditional stretching sometimes is less effective in infants, because when they feel the resistance of a tight muscles being “stretched” or “lengthened,” they may interpret that as dangerous and instead of relaxing, they can tense up.
Modified strain counterstain principles such as total motion release, use a positional release construct where you ONLY shorten the muscle, going into the easy direction or side, which allows the babies to continue to say calm and relaxed, since they are not feeling that resistance.
It sounds counter-intuitive but truthfully, it often achieves amazing and often quick results.
Why TMR for Babies?
Gentleness: It's far gentler compared to stretching, making it ideal for infants.
Effectiveness: It achieves the same goal of increased range of motion but in a more comfortable way for the baby.
Upper and Lower Trunk Rotation in TMR
In today's post, we'll focus on the upper and lower trunk rotation aspects of TMR. Babies bodies need to be able to twist in opposite directions equally. Their upper half of their body needs to go to the right, while their lower half of their body goes to the left easily as well as the opposite of those directions.
Think of wringing out a wet towel, you twist your right hand and left hand in opposite directions to squeeze out the water. Babies' bodies need to be able to twist like that in order to achieve their milestones such as rolling over (both directions) and getting into all fours to crawl.
Before You Start
Professional Evaluation: Ensure your baby is evaluated by a licensed therapist (physiotherapist or physical therapist) trained in TMR before trying these techniques. Total Motion Release for babies taught by Susan Blum, utilizes multiple principles. This video covers one simple positional release technique and should not be confused with Total Motion Release as a treatment option. To find a therapist trained in total motion release, please search here.
Direction of Ease: Your therapist will guide you on the correct direction of rotation for your baby. For positional release techniques using the TMR principles, you will ONLY hold the direction of ease.
The Techniques: watch the video down below to ensure that you are doing it correctly and to learn even more in detailed why this technique works well for infants.
Upper Trunk / Lower Trunk TMR Technique
Positioning: One hand supports under the baby's arms around their chest, and the other hand goes through the baby's legs with your hand being placed on their buttocks that is the same side as the arm you are using (if your right arm is around their chest, you will rest your hand on their right buttocks/pelvis and vice versa) .
Rotation: Gently rotate the baby's upper and lower trunk in the direction of ease by bringing the elbow of the arm that is through the legs backwards and holding their trunk steady against your chest. Only complete to the level of resistance and not past.
Duration: Spend 1-3 minutes in this position, depending on the baby’s tolerance and then follow up with 30 seconds to 1 minute of bouncing to “lock in” the newly gained motion.
TIMESTAMPS:
1:03 what is total motion release (TMR)
2:53 why the total motion release technique for babies is ideal for increasing range of motion
4:29 what not to do when using total motion release techniques for babies
5:09 what to do if a baby switches directions
5:37 RR upper trunk / LR lower trunk total motion release technique
7:13 LR upper trunk / RR lower trunk total motion release technique
8:17 safety tips and explanation of tmr upper twist lower twist technique
10:03 additional tips for upper twist lower twist TMR tots release technique
TOY IDEAS:
What Not to Do
Avoid Both Sides: Don’t work on both sides as you would in stretching. Stick to the direction of ease as advised by your therapist. If you do both sides, it isn’t as effective and instead of completing a positional release using TMR principles, you would be completing traditional stretching.
Handling: Always handle the baby gently, focusing on the pelvis and lower back, not the hip joints.
Additional Tips
Movement: Feel free to gently bounce or move around during the technique. I often bring them toward a window or walk around with them in my arms throughout the house.
Observation: Watch for the baby's cues. If they show discomfort, ease off. Never hold a baby in a position if they are trying to kick out of it, always allow them to move out of the position and then once they are calm, re-attempt.
Frequency: Aim for a 2-minute session followed by 30 seconds of gentle bouncing.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, show signs of Torticollis (tilt/rotation preference) or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you understand and apply the Total Motion Release technique for your little one. It's essential to always prioritize gentleness and follow the guidance of a trained professional. If you have questions or want to learn more about pediatric mobility, feel free to reach out or schedule a consultation with me.
Remember, every baby's journey is unique, and your proactive approach in understanding and aiding their movement is invaluable. Stay tuned for more insights and tips on various stages of your baby's movement development – crawling, walking, rolling, and more!
Look down below for more resources on rolling or click on the blog post page if your baby is working on a different milestone such as crawling.
And that's it, friends! If you find this helpful, let me know in the comments of the youtube video. I love interacting with parents committed to their children's well-being. Here's to a journey of gentle, effective proactive play for your little ones! 🌟
Crawling
this page contains affiliate links
Curious About Learning More on How To Teach Babies Crawl?
The absolute best resource for parents on helping their babies learn to crawl is the free online course: Learning to Crawl by Dr. Baker.
To gain immediate access to the online course, click the link above, submit your information, and the online course instructions will be emailed to you directly.
The free online video course is designed to help parents fully understand how to help their children crawl on hands and knees and trouble shoot what building block of crawling the child might not have mastered yet.
It comes with video examples of exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and information on when to reach out for additional help.
This online course was created by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones.
She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from 9-11 months (getting in/out of all fours to independent crawling).
This online course breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for crawling and it also covers a checklist to make sure babies have mastered rolling and sitting (otherwise, this could be a reason why sitting is still a struggle!)
It also covers what areas might limit a child with crawling, examples of disadvantageous ways babies might crawl, why hands/knees crawling is best, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This online course can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 7-11 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with getting in/out of all fours or hands/knees crawling
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master crawling
8 Online Course Modules
Building Blocks of Crawling
Crawling Checklists
Getting Into All Fours
Asymmetrical Crawling Patterns
Strength Exercises
Mobility Exercises
Crawling Specific Play Exercises
Next Steps: How to Prep for Walking
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about your baby’s ability to tolerate an all fours position, have what they need to master crawling on hands/knees, or if they are not getting into all fours by themselves and are over 11 months, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist.
It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development. Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better.
I’m here to support you and release those worries.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally and Pediatric Physical Therapy in Boise, ID and the Treasure Valley – which you can learn more about by scheduling a free 20 minute chat with me (Idaho only) or an online parent consultation by clicking here.
I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not crawling on hands/knees on their own by 11 months. Proactive Pediatric Physical Therapy recommend if a child is not crawling on their own by 10 months.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Prevent Avoidable Motor Delays: How To Test Your Baby's Trunk Mobility
this blog contains affiliate links
Hello! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist. Today, I'm thrilled to share insights on one of the most crucial aspects of your baby's development - trunk rotation. This aspect of movement plays a pivotal role in milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking and it’s one of the least known aspects of movement and baby development in the parent world. Today, we are going to change that!
Why Is Upper Trunk Rotation Important?
Upper trunk rotation is essential for your baby's overall mobility. It's the foundation for many activities, including the ability to roll over, going from lying on the ground to sitting up, going from sitting to crawling, and it is even needed when we walk.
When we talk about trunk rotation, we're referring to the upper half of the body moving independently from the lower half, this of sitting in a chair and twisting your shoulders to look behind you (your upper half is moving but your lower half isn’t). This movement is crucial for maintaining our position against gravity, for getting in and out of positions, and for combining motions which we need for complex movements like walking and crawling.
Assessing Trunk Rotation in Babies
To ensure your baby is developing symmetrically and has mobility equally side to side, it's vital to assess their upper trunk rotation. When doing this, we're looking for equal movement on both sides. A limitation on one side can affect how your baby moves, potentially leading to preferences that might impact their development down the line.
Tightness in one direction can also lead to avoidance of movement in that direction, which is often why you see babies choose to only roll to one side (if we know what is limiting them, we can help them fix it! And then they can roll equally to both sides).
Baby Mobility Exercises: Enhancing Trunk Rotation
To encourage healthy trunk rotation in your baby, first try to see if your baby’s upper trunk can go equally in both directions. While they are sitting between your legs, gently move their upper body from forward to the right, stopping when you feel resistance (this is as far as you should go) and then forward to the left, again stopping when you feel resistance.
Watch the video below start to finish for the most comprehensive explanation and demonstration or click on the hyperlink to go directly to the exercise to watch in order to make sure you do it correctly!
TIMESTAMPS:
1:27 why upper trunk rotation and baby trunk rotation is important
4:52 straddle baby trunk rotation assessment
5:17 ring sit baby trunk rotation assessment
6:23 baby between parent's legs baby trunk rotation assessment
TOY IDEAS:
Trunk Weakness in Babies: Spotting and Addressing It
If you notice that your baby struggles with trunk rotation (typically you will feel resistance or they will express displeasure in that direction) or they seem to favor one side, it might indicate trunk weakness or tightness. Weakness and tightness are often companions, as a tight muscle is also a weak muscle, so sometimes when we increase the range and resolve the tightness, we then have to strengthen those muscles.
However, if you do not notice your baby has tightness when doing the upper trunk screen, but they do still show a preference, they could have weakness in the muscles that are needed to go in the direction they are avoiding. Weakness can be associated with tightness or it can be the only thing affecting the child.
It's important to be aware if your baby is experiencing trunk weakness. Signs of this can include a lack of balance in sitting, difficulty in holding themselves up (normal sitting age is 6-9 months), or favoring one side (if their little body forms a “C” shape in lying down or sitting). If you notice any of these signs, incorporating specific exercises can help strengthen their trunk muscles, see the youtube core strengthening playlist here.
What Is a Baby's Trunk, and Why Is Its Control Vital?
The trunk is the body's core, including the chest and abdomen. Trunk control is essential for stability and forms the basis of all movement. A strong trunk enables your baby to explore the world more confidently. Babies need full mobility of their trunk in order to build or access the full strength of their core, which is why assessing upper trunk rotation in infants is so important.
Regularly assessing your baby's trunk control (strength and mobility) can provide valuable insights into their development. Look for whether they have mastered rolling back to belly (right and left), belly to back (right and left), how well they hold themselves up when sitting, their reactions to gentle movements (do they throw themselves back or collapse forward when sitting), and their ability to engage in playful activities that involve twisting, such as bringing both hands to one side in sitting.
Crossing the Midline: A Cognitive and Physical Milestone
An interesting aspect of trunk rotation is its connection to cognitive development. When babies learn to cross the midline (bringing both hands from one side of the body to the other), they're not only enhancing their physical abilities but also strengthening neural pathways in the brain.
These pathways help with future academic milestones such as reading and writing. When babies have trunk tightness, they might avoid crossing midline in one or both directions, which can decrease their opportunities to develop and strengthen these pathways. This can lead to them being at a disadvantage compared to their same age, non-restricted peers.
Pediatric Physical Therapy Exercises for Babies
Incorporating pediatric physical therapy exercises into your baby's routine can be a game-changer. Simple activities like rolling over exercises and trunk control exercises can boost their development significantly.
Making sure that you resolve any tightness by completing the associated releases/stretches is equally important. If you ever find that the tightness is not resolving or you need assistance, reaching out to a local pediatric physical therapist can be the best, most effective thing for you and your baby. See our list of mobile pediatric physical therapists here.
Trunk Movement in Infants: Encouraging Healthy Development
Encouraging various trunk movements is key to your baby's development. This includes exercises that promote rotating, an easy switch in most families routines is to place toys to the side of the child instead of always in front.
This encourages the child to reach to the side and also bring both hands to the side (rotating at their trunk) in order to manipulate or grab the toy. It’s okay to start with the easy side and then build up to adding in the hard side (or assisting with the hard side and letting them do the easy side). Each of these movements contributes to a well-rounded and robust physical development.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development. Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally and Pediatric Physical Therapy in Boise, ID and the Treasure Valley – by clicking to the appointment tab or by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Your Baby’s Journey
Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, and what's important is providing them with opportunities to explore and strengthen their abilities. By incorporating these simple exercises and being mindful of their trunk rotation, you're setting your baby up for a lifetime of confident movement, as well as decreasing the risk of difficulty with crawling on hands and knees.
The 6 Areas A Baby Needs To Master To Learn To Crawl and Exercises To Help
There are 6 things babies need to be able to do in order to learn how to crawl. If a baby is struggling with crawling, it is essential to focus on these six areas to ensure that kiddos who are struggling with crawling have the essential building blocks that children need to master in order to progress toward crawling.
If a child struggles in any or multiple areas, they may not crawl and instead move in less ideal ways such as booty scooting, hitch crawling, or army crawling for longer than one month.
The six areas a baby needs to master are:
1. Upper Trunk Strength
2. Upper Trunk Mobility
3. Lower Trunk Strength
4. Lower Trunk Mobility
5. Core Strength
6. Crawling Specific Motions
If you’re curious about why each of these areas is important, make sure to watch all of the videos linked down below where I explain exactly how each of these exercises can help a child progress to hands and knees crawling.
For Exercises, it's best to focus on at least one exercise per section for the week. I tell the families I work with to focus on 3 exercises or 20 minutes per day with some extra exercises on the weekends or on days when parents find that they have more time.
Each exercise is either 2-5 minutes or about 10 reps, however, it is okay to tailor it to a baby’s specific tolerance and then increase by 2-3 repetitions or 15-30 seconds each day or week as available/tolerated.
*exercise listed in more than one section
Mobility of the Upper Trunk
Mobility of the Lower Trunk
Strengthening of Upper Trunk
Baby Planks (goal 15-30 sec at a time)
Baby Wheelbarrow (goal 3-5 feet without collapsing)
Weight Bearing Through Arms on Elevated Play Surfaces (coming soon)
Strengthening of Lower Trunk
Tall Kneeling / Tall Kneeling on Incline Toy (coming soon)
Pull to Stand at Activity Table / Pull to Stand at Couch or Small Table
Core Strengthening
Supine to Sidelying to Sit (side core muscles)
Supine to Sit (if #1 is too difficult)
Crawling Training
Crawling on hands and knees is a significantly important milestone, maybe even the most important milestone for all around holistic long term development.
Without hands and knees crawling babies miss out on:
Strengthening the hand muscles which can impact hand writing legibility, formation of letters, and control of a pencil
Decreased postural control strengthening of the upper trunk which can impact handwriting
Decreased core strengthening which can impact gross motor skills such as running, jumping, throwing/catching
Decreased Eye movement and coordination which can impact reading / writting / catching a ball
Decreased isolation of head movements from the body, which can impact coordination
Decreased hip strengthening opportunities which can impact progress toward walking independently (especially if mobility is with booty scooting or army crawling ie neither of those result in neutral hip position weight bearing).
If your child is past 11 months and is not yet crawling on hands / knees, schedule a parent consultation or evaluation here.
Crawling Exercises For Your Baby | Reaching On All Fours To Build Baby Arm Strength
Before you can crawl, you need to be able to reach for toys in all fours. In this video, you'll learn ways to help your baby learn to crawl and a few crawling exercises for your baby to build arm strength and progress to crawling.
This post contains affiliate links, please see my disclaimer for more information.
Lauren is the owner of Dr. Lauren Baker In Home Pediatric Physical Therapy and provides paid 60-minute online parent consultations for individuals with additional questions internationally. For scheduling please click here.
This video will teach you:
How to support your baby in all fours
How to help them reach for a toy to progress toward crawling
What toys work well for this exercise
find what you’re looking for
0:28 what exercise we’re going to learn today
0:40 why reaching on all fours is important to learn before crawling
1:24 exercise #1: quadruped reaching with wooden activity cube toy
1:50 breakdown of what I am doing during the quadruped reaching exercise
3:45 what to do when a kiddo is struggling in all fours
4:10 exercise #2 reaching with small toys on all fours
6:27 how to work with dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC
transcription coming soon
subscribe to dr. lauren baker on youtube, so you know where you found this video & you can find it again (in case you need it for yourself or to share it with a friend who might benefit from it!).
Leave a comment if you have any questions, it’s my absolute favorite thing to share resources, connect you with what you’re looking for, and give general education.
I have a firm philosophy that everyone deserves a physical therapist best friend & if you don’t have one yet — we can be online besties!
links and additional information
LINKS IN VIDEO
Wooden Activity Center toy: https://amzn.to/3I5q1bc
🍼 Best Toys for Babies - https://kit.co/drlaurenbaker/best-toy...
Get a gorgeous NC landscape print like the one behind me - https://rachelcarterimages.com/buy-pr...
Macramé feather hanging - https://botanicalknotsstudio.com/
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? book a 60 minute online consultation with dr. lauren baker, physical therapist
MY BOOKS ON AMAZON:
📚New in 2021 - The Ultimate Guide To Pediatric Physical Therapy Documentation
📚Amazon Best Selling Pediatric Exercise Handbook
📚The Boy and The Boomerang Children’s Book
for parents
PEDIATRIC ONLINE COURSES:
Get Your Munchkin Moving Gross Motor Online Course 6-15 months - $5 OFF with code: drlaurenbaker
for active women (moms & aunts!)
FITNESS:
💪 Free 30 minute home workouts
👋 Workout with me in The Girl Squad
FITNESS PODCAST:
🎙Decrease your resistance to fitness the podcast
MY FAVORITE THINGS:
🏋️♀️ Shop my home gym equipment
⚡ Must have injury prevention equipment
for physical therapists / student physical therapists
💻 Start Your Own Cash Based Mobile Pediatric Business with Simple Practice (EMR, Scheduling, Payment)
🧭 Learn How To Create An Online Course & Host It For Free For Life ($50/mo savings)
other fun things
LEARN WITH ME:
📘Read lots & lots of books using a kindle unlimited subscription here
CONNECT OFF YOUTUBE:
🖱️ My pediatric website / blog
👩⚕️Find a PT
DISCLAIMERS: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. By watching this video you release Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC and all related parties from any and all liability. *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The links listed above are 99% affiliate links (amazon or other programs), which means I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Music from intro courtesy of: Campfire by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_campfire Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/9Rfykh-YzCc
3 Crawling Exercises For Infants
Here are three crawling exercises for infants or exercises to get your baby crawling.
This post contains affiliate links, please see my disclaimer for more information.
Lauren is the owner of Dr. Lauren Baker In Home Pediatric Physical Therapy and provides paid 60-minute online parent consultations for individuals with additional questions internationally. For scheduling please click here.
This video will teach you:
Three Exercises to help your baby crawl
Why crawling is absolutely necessary and should not be skipped
What a Pediatric PT can do if your baby needs extra help
find what you’re looking for
0:00 introduction
3:11 exercise #1 quadruped rocking
4:15 exercise #2 quadruped reaching
5:36 exercise #3 assisted crawling
7:07 what pediatric physical therapy can do
7:52 crawling playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
transcription coming soon
subscribe to dr. lauren baker on youtube, so you know where you found this video & you can find it again (in case you need it for yourself or to share it with a friend who might benefit from it!).
Leave a comment if you have any questions, it’s my absolute favorite thing to share resources, connect you with what you’re looking for, and give general education.
I have a firm philosophy that everyone deserves a physical therapist best friend & if you don’t have one yet — we can be online besties!
links and additional information
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? book a 60 minute online consultation with dr. lauren baker, physical therapist
MY BOOKS ON AMAZON:
📚New in 2021 - The Ultimate Guide To Pediatric Physical Therapy Documentation
📚Amazon Best Selling Pediatric Exercise Handbook
📚The Boy and The Boomerang Children’s Book
for parents
PEDIATRIC ONLINE COURSES:
Get Your Munchkin Moving Gross Motor Online Course 6-15 months - $5 OFF with code: drlaurenbaker
for active women (moms & aunts!)
FITNESS:
💪 Free 30 minute home workouts
👋 Workout with me in The Girl Squad
FITNESS PODCAST:
🎙Decrease your resistance to fitness the podcast
MY FAVORITE THINGS:
🏋️♀️ Shop my home gym equipment
⚡ Must have injury prevention equipment
for physical therapists / student physical therapists
💻 Start Your Own Cash Based Mobile Pediatric Business with Simple Practice (EMR, Scheduling, Payment)
🧭 Learn How To Create An Online Course & Host It For Free For Life ($50/mo savings)
other fun things
LEARN WITH ME:
📘Read lots & lots of books using a kindle unlimited subscription here
CONNECT OFF YOUTUBE:
🖱️ My pediatric website / blog
👩⚕️Find a PT
DISCLAIMERS: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. By watching this video you release Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC and all related parties from any and all liability. *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The links listed above are 99% affiliate links (amazon or other programs), which means I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Music from intro courtesy of: Campfire by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_campfire Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/9Rfykh-YzCc