Easy Exercises to Help Your Baby Roll Over Back to Belly
this blog contains affiliate links
Today, we’re going over how to help our adorable little ones master the art of rolling over from their back to their belly. Back to belly rolling occurs between 4-6 months, but often if a little is struggling or not showing signs of rolling on their own at 5 months, that is a great time to start strategic proactive play.
Rolling is a milestone that sets the stage for many future achievements, and I'm here, your pediatric physical therapy bestie to guide you through it with ease and confidence.
Understanding Rolling Back to Belly
First off, it's crucial to know when to expect your baby to start rolling from back to belly. Typically, this developmental milestone happens between 4 to 6 months.
But if your baby is around 6 months and hasn't mastered rolling yet, don't fret! I've got some easy exercises for you to try out. If you notice significant improvements quickly, you're on the right track.
Otherwise, reaching out to a pediatric physical therapist after the 6-month mark is a wise move, especially since mastering rolling is pivotal for crawling on hands and knees – a key milestone linked to future academic skills like reading and writing.
Back to belly rolling involves a lot of factors including mobility, strength, and coordination. Rolling is one of the first milestones other than eating, where a baby has to coordinate their muscles by turning different groups on and off, which can sometimes be a little more difficult than they thought.
Gravity is also really tough for babies, because it’s always throwing them to the floor. When babies go to roll from their back to their bellies, they have to have enough strength to counteract gravity pushing their arms back toward the floor.
Sometimes, this is a lot to ask of babies and they end up looking less interested in rolling and happy on their backs, while this isn’t a problem necessarily, we want to make sure that it isn’t because something is holding them back from rolling.
There is a difference between not being able to roll and being able to roll easily but just not doing all day every single day. Most babies if given the choice, would definitely pick rolling because their little bodies were made to move.
Why Some Babies Struggle with Rolling
Several factors can contribute to delays in rolling over, including:
Limited Arm Mobility: For a baby to roll over smoothly, they need to be able to move their arms above their head and across their body past the midline (an imaginary line that goes from the top of the head down the middle of the body through the belly button).
Any tightness in the chest or neck could hinder this movement.
Coordination Challenges: Bringing both arms together in one direction requires high levels of coordination. Some babies might find this tricky and require some help to master it.
Restricted Trunk Mobility: A baby needs to rotate their upper body in one direction while keeping the lower half stable. Tightness or inability to do so can make rolling over challenging.
Helping Your Baby Roll Back to Belly: Exercise Breakdown
To bridge the gap between not rolling and rolling over back to belly easily, let's break down the movements into manageable parts.
This approach, known as partial tasking, allows babies to focus on mastering one component at a time. Here's a simple exercise to get started. Make sure to watch the video linked below for an example with a baby and for the most comprehensive information on this technique.
Exercise #1: Reaching to the Right
Positioning: Lay your baby on their back.
Engagement: Hold a toy towards their opposite shoulder to encourage them to reach across with their left arm.
Support: Gently guide their shoulder and arm across the body towards the right.
Follow Through: Once their arm is across, assist their hips to follow, rolling them onto their belly.
Repeat: Try different toys to maintain their interest and repeat the movement, ensuring both arms get a chance to lead.
Exercise #2: Reaching to the Left
Switch Sides: Now focus on using the right arm to reach.
Guidance and Support: This side might be more challenging, so offer more support and use tactile cues to encourage movement if needed.
Hip Assistance: Once their arm is in position, gently guide their hips to complete the roll.
Troubleshooting: If an arm gets stuck, apply gentle pressure to the pelvis and help free the arm to ensure a smooth roll.
Exercise #3: Reaching When on Their Side
If reaching across the body while the baby is lying on their back it too difficult or they struggle with staying engaged (a sign that it could take more effort than they have to give) –
Start with the baby lying on their side and practice reaching and playing with toys with the hand at shoulder level, once this is easy, move the toy above shoulder level and have the baby practice reaching there. Do this on both sides so babies get practice using both arms, once this is easy, move back to exercises 1 and 2.
Resources for Further Learning
For those eager to dive deeper and tackle rolling from every angle, my book "Tummy Time and Learning to Roll" is your go-to resource. It's packed with insights, exercises, and a free video course to visually guide you through each step.
Grab your copy [linked in the video description, pinned comment, and here] and discover how to support your baby's journey towards rolling and beyond.
Screening for Trunk Rotation
A vital part of ensuring smooth rolling transitions is checking your baby's trunk rotation. This movement is crucial for rolling efficiently. Don't miss my next video, where I'll show you how to assess if your baby's trunk rotation is on track.
remember: watch the video below for the most comprehensive guide to this technique and to watch it be done on a real life baby :)
TIMESTAMPS:
2:00 the missing link to rolling back to belly
5:15 how this exercise helps babies learn to roll from back to belly
5:50 the best resource for parents to help babies learn to roll on their own
6:58 exercise #1: reaching to the right
9:07 exercise #2: reaching to the left
TOY IDEAS:
Baby Einstein Music Toy
Crinkle Toys: Bee | Dino | Deer | Sloth | Octopus | Racoon
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
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 exciting journey to support your baby's development. Your dedication to understanding and nurturing their growth warms my heart. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below the video—I love engaging with you all and offering help where I can.
Remember, every little effort you put in makes a big difference in your baby's world. Keep up the fantastic work, and I can't wait to hear about all the rolling success stories!
Why Cant My Baby Roll Back To Belly? Insights From A Pediatric Physical Therapist
this blog contains affiliate links
Hello, I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist with a passion for supporting early childhood development. Today, I want to address a concern many parents share: "Why can't my baby roll from back to belly?"
This question is really common as parents are curious about their baby’s development, but also because they want to make sure their baby has every opportunity to master their milestones.
Rolling is a key developmental milestone that sets the foundation for future movements and it’s important that every baby has a chance to move freely in all four of the rolling directions.
Drawing upon my experience and the insights from my latest book, "Tummy Time and Learning to Roll," I aim to shed light on this topic, providing both explanations and solutions for proactive parents and healthcare providers who want to help babies roll back to belly.
I believe that parents can influence how their children move, with a little bit of knowledge and a whole lot of courage. I am here for the knowledge piece and you’re already mastering the courage, by looking for answers on google from movement experts like pediatric physical therapists.
Understanding the Rolling Back to Belly Milestone
Rolling from back to belly is a significant achievement in a baby's motor skill development, typically occurring between four to six months. It's a complex action that integrates several physical abilities, marking a baby's first foray into dynamic movement.
This milestone is crucial for promoting further developmental skills, such as crawling and sitting up. However, when babies face challenges with rolling, it can be a sign to delve deeper into their motor skills development and help them unlock the things that may be blocking them from rolling.
Exploring the Reasons Behind Rolling Challenges
Head and Neck Mobility
One of the first abilities a baby needs for rolling is the ability to turn their head from side to side while on their back. This movement is often motivated by visual or auditory stimuli that encourage the baby to reach or turn towards something of interest. Limited mobility in the neck can impede this, sometimes indicating conditions like torticollis, where a baby has a preferred side that they rotate to and often an opposite side head tilt.Neck and Upper Body Strength
For a successful roll, babies must have sufficient strength in their neck and upper body to lift and tilt their head and chest (think moving your body in an “I’m a little teapot” motion, but while lying on the floor on your side).
This strength is crucial for transitioning from laying flat to rolling over onto their belly. Weakness in these areas can significantly hinder their ability to roll, because babies have to fight gravity in order to lift their shoulders off the ground to initiate going from back to their side then onto their belly.Crossing the Midline and Arm Coordination
The ability to move arms across the body's midline is essential for rolling and further developmental skills. This action requires coordination and strength, allowing the baby to use their arms to aid in the rolling motion. Delays in this ability can slow down the rolling process.
This motion is really tough, because as babies try to lift their arms to shoulder level, gravity is always pushing their arms back down to the ground. If they haven’t been able to develop enough strength in their arms (usually through spending 5-10 minutes pushing through their elbows in tummy time), they may not be able to start the motion of rolling back to belly.
Another way that babies can begin to use their arms to roll from back to belly, is by grabbing their feet with both hands and then rolling to the side. This requires a lot of strength from their lower bellies and is often seen by the time a baby is 5 months. This is a beginner form of rolling because the babies do not have to lift their arms as high as they do when completing the more advanced version of rolling back to belly (reaching up to shoulder level and then crossing the midline of the body and reaching toward their opposite shoulder).Core Strength and Mobility
Strong core muscles are vital for rolling over, as they enable the baby to both lift their pelvis (grabbing their feet with their hands) and twist their body (to complete the roll from lying on their side to belly or for the more advanced version of rolling by reaching toward their opposite shoulder).
Core strength supports the entire rolling motion, from initiating the turn to successfully completing the roll onto the belly. Rolling helps develop core strength in multiple directions, which support future milestones.
Rolling supports core develop in the following ways:
The lower core: baby grabs feet with hands and lifts their bum off the floor
The side core: baby has to bend their trunk when on their side against gravity to finish rolling from their side to their belly (this also helps bring their bottom arm out from under their belly)
The rotational core: Baby has to be able to twist their body in order to roll back to belly, this is a combination of strength in the core and mobility in the core to be able to complete. This is often the struggle if a baby can roll back to belly on one side but not the other
Supporting Your Baby's Rolling Development
Encouraging your baby's rolling ability involves a combination of tummy time, playful interaction, and targeted exercises. Tummy time strengthens neck, shoulder, and core muscles, which helps with rolling both back to belly and rolling belly to back. Back play helps babies engage with toys and objects that can motivate your baby to reach, turn, and eventually roll. Sidelying play is essential for building strength in the arms and core to assist with babies lifting their arms to shoulder level against gravity.
For babies showing a preference for rolling over one arm or struggling with certain aspects of rolling, tailored exercises and activities can promote symmetry and strength. The book: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Roll Independently has 240+ color photos of these exercises and also includes a free online video course to walk you through all the proactive play ideas that can your baby roll back to belly.
For the most comprehensive information on how to help babies roll back to belly, see the video below.
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
Every baby develops at their own pace, but understanding and supporting their journey can make a significant difference. As a parent, it's natural to worry about your baby's development, but understanding the complexity of physical milestones like rolling can ease your concerns. By recognizing the factors that influence rolling and how to support your baby's development, you can actively participate in their growth journey.
If you're concerned about your baby's ability to roll from back to belly or have noticed delays in other developmental milestones, don't hesitate to seek advice and support.
For personalized guidance tailored to your baby's needs, consider booking an online parent consultation with a pediatric physical therapist. Together, we can ensure your baby's development is on the right track, laying the foundation for a lifetime of movement and exploration.
In navigating the path of your baby's development, remember, you're not alone. With the right support and strategies, your baby can overcome the challenges of rolling and continue to achieve new milestones, one roll at a time.
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! 🌟