I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the Work It Mommy’s podcast. Here, I answer developmental questions regarding the importance of early intervention, torticollis/plagiocephaly prevention, motor milestone development, and access to your local pediatric physical therapist.
Read MoreAs a mom myself, I know having a baby brings on so many new worries that can keep you up all night. I hope that you may rest a bit easier knowing that there is expert help out there regarding your baby’s movement.
Read More…Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a problem with the formation of the hip joint (how the thigh bone aligns with the pelvis). From your infant’s very first wellness check, your pediatrician conducts 2 simple hip screens which test the integrity of your newborn’s hips…
Read MoreAt your first visit to the pediatrician, head shape and development are key parts of your newborn evaluation. If you are a parent, you may remember your pediatrician pressing on your newborn’s skull during your well visits. Most babies are born with the bones of the skull separated or unfused in what we professionally identify as sutures. This separation of skull bones is very advantageous for newborn development. It allows the baby to push through the birth canal and also allows room for brain growth after birth.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreAs a pediatric physical therapist with over 13 years experience, I know that the thought of a helmet for a baby can be daunting for parents. In my personal experience, the more knowledge you have as a parent, the more empowered you are to make an informed decision about your child. Let’s take away the stigma behind helmet therapy by sharing what we know.
Read MoreWhat can pediatric physical therapy do to help your baby with colic, prevent torticollis, and find relief?
…Infants with colic often assume positions with flexed hips, lateral trunk shifts, clinched fists, and extended arms. Some babies are unable to tolerate prone positions and are often placed in swings, bucket positions to promote head elevation for digestive needs. Unfortunately, these positioning techniques may contribute to the development of Torticollis.
Read MoreWhat's the Deal with Torticollis?
For such a strange medical term, this is one that is recognized pretty often in the parent/Mom/baby world. Here, I want to give you:
The problem arises...
When I am getting background information on a baby, I typically ask the parent about Tummy Time. How often they do it with their baby, how their baby handles being on their stomach, ect. This information gives me as a physical therapist insight into the child’s ability to move in positions other than supine (on his back), into neck and shoulder muscle strength, and possible indications of medical problems including acid reflux that would require physician follow-up care.
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