5 Pediatric PT Tricks to Help Your Baby Get Unstuck: A New Parent’s Guide to Torticollis Prevention
We have seen a huge uptick in the prevalence of CMT (Congenital Muscular Torticollis) since the back to sleep campaign started in the 90’s. While I do want to emphasize that back is best for safe sleeping and SIDS prevention, I want to continue to educate parents on how to improve infant movement and development during awake times. If you need more information on CMT check out this article.
On that note, I want to share my 5 Pediatric Physical Therapy tricks every parent should know to help get your baby unstuck and moving in the right way!
Burrito Wrap
For our babies younger than 3 months, using a high tight swaddle isolates movements to promote neck rotation. Swaddling helps your baby stay calm, increases her attention to the task at hand, and limits distractions from limb movement. Place toys or your face towards the difficult side to encourage baby’s head to turn.
2) Touch and Feel at the Right Distance
Increase stimulation to baby’s hand on the non-dominant side. Tickle, tap, and touch! Introduce different textures like squishy, soft, smooth, and crinkle toys. Remember, young babies see best at a 12 inch distance or finger-tip distance. Keep this in mind when setting up toys for swiping and reaching.
3) Change it Up
A simple trick to improve your baby’s vision and movement on the non-dominant side is adjusting the sleeping space. Think about the direction your baby is facing in his crib or bassinet. Place all of the interesting items in the room to baby’s non-dominant side and the boring wall on the side baby prefers. Visual motivation may come from a mobile, light from a window, or even the door that mom and dad walk through.
4) Container-Free Zone
Bucket-shaped devices like swings, bouncers, or car seats used during wake times have been proven over and over again to contribute to poor head and neck positioning in infants. Instead, set up safe play spaces on the floor so your baby is able to move without restriction. Try baby-wearing on an outing instead of a carseat stroll to unweight the back of your baby’s head.
5) About Face
When your baby is awake, it is important to counteract the pressure placed on her head and neck from the long amounts of time spent sleeping on her back. Tummy Time should start on day one when your baby arrives home from the hospital. Use your chest or a rolled up blanket under your baby to make Tummy Time easier. Also, try placing your baby play on her side. This position improves baby’s attention to her hands with midline control and enhances pre-rolling skills.
Questions or concerns about your infant’s head and neck position or shape? Boost Babies is here for you! All services are one - on - one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Contact us today!