What to Expect at Your Baby's Pediatric Physical Therapy Appointment with Progress Through Play
Here at Progress Through Play, we specialize in the important (and exciting!) milestones from birth through walking. Our goal is to help your baby feel good and thrive in every aspect of their development. Whether you're concerned about torticollis, flat head syndrome, motor milestones, feeding struggles or other developmental issues, our appointments are designed to provide targeted support for baby while giving parents the confidence they need to continue to help their little ones grow.
One of the core principles of Progress Through Play is that play is a powerful tool for development. Every session is crafted to be both fun and purposeful, allowing your baby to explore movement, build strength, and reach important milestones, all while keeping the activities age and developmentally appropriate, as well as exciting. This approach not only helps your baby develop physically, but also makes therapy a positive experience for the whole family to look forward to.
From the moment your baby is born, they begin a rapid journey of growth and development. Progress Through Play focuses on supporting your baby through every stage of this journey, from those first tummy time sessions to taking their first steps. Here are some of the services we specialize in:
Torticollis and Flat Head Syndrome
If your baby has torticollis (a condition where the neck muscles are tight, causing the head to tilt) or plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), we will do a head to toe assessment and work on manual therapies to increase mobility and then strengthening exercises to promote symmetry of movement. For head flattening you will be instructed in specific positioning protocols to begin improving the shape of your baby’s head (without a helmet!).
Motor Milestones & Developmental Delay
Whether your baby is struggling to roll over, sit up, crawl, or walk, we provide targeted activities to help them achieve these milestones. Early intervention is key to addressing any developmental delays. For more on early intervention, check out my previous blog HERE!
Body Work and Oral Motor Therapies for Tongue Tie
Tongue tie can affect your baby's ability to eat, sleep, and even breathe comfortably. Through specialized body work (such as craniosacral fascial therapy and myofascial release) and oral motor therapies, we help release tension, improve oral function, and support overall well-being.
Ideally these therapies are begun before your baby’s oral tie release procedure and then continued afterwards for optimal results.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is essential for developing neck, shoulder, and core strength, which are all critical for later motor skills like crawling and walking. We offer guidance on how to make tummy time enjoyable and effective, even for babies who might resist it at first.
Gillespie Approach - Craniosacral Fascial Therapy
This gentle, hands-on therapy focuses on releasing fascial tension throughout the body, helping your baby feel more comfortable and function better. The Gillespie Approach is particularly beneficial for babies with feeding difficulties, sleep issues, or general discomfort.
Why are these therapies so important to us? Because babies deserve to feel good in their bodies so that they can eat well, sleep well, poop well and play well!
What to Expect During Your Baby's Appointment
During your baby's appointment, we will:
Assess your baby’s current developmental status, including motor skills, muscle tone, reflexes, range of motion and any specific concerns you have. This helps us tailor the therapy plan to your baby's unique needs.
Engage in purposeful play by guiding your baby through a series of exercises and activities that are both fun and beneficial for their development.
Teach you how to support your baby at home. Parental involvement is the best way to ensure your baby’s success. Learn specific exercises and techniques you can use at home to support your baby’s development between appointments.
Provide gentle, effective therapies. Depending on your baby's needs, we may use techniques like craniosacral fascial therapy, massage, and myofascial release to address any physical discomforts and promote overall well-being.
Offer guidance and reassurance. We understand that parenting can be overwhelming, especially when you have concerns about your baby’s development. We’re here to answer your questions, provide reassurance, and empower you with the knowledge you need to support your baby’s growth.
Every baby deserves to feel good in their bodies! That’s our motto here at Progress Through Play. From addressing specific conditions like torticollis or tongue tie to guiding your baby through important developmental milestones, we’re here to help your baby feel their very best!
If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, check us out HERE. Together, we can help your baby eat well, sleep well, poop well, play well and THRIVE!