Your baby’s developmental milestones are key for tracking their progress in early life. As a result, they can cause parental anxiety when they appear later than expected. For some of the physical milestones, like learning to roll over, sit up, and crawl, there are things you can do to help.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like progressing in any other physical activity, practice is imperative! Babies need floor time, including tummy time, to practice the movements that lead to those key skills we’re looking for. We can meet resistance here, as a lot of babies do not like to lay on their tummy, and their protests can cause the parent to take them out of the uncomfortable position. Unfortunately, it must be done, but there are ways to adapt the positions they don’t like.
Tummy time does not have to be performed on a totally flat surface. If you have a “velcro baby”, they’ll probably prefer to do their tummy time on you! Laying on your back, pop baby on your tummy or chest, facing you and pointing uphill. Not only does this make the exercise easier, but they’ll love to see your face in front of them. As they get stronger in this position, you can try them back on the floor with a thin pillow under their chest. Lay in view to keep them happy, and gradually reduce the incline until they’re happily back on the flat. Bright and noisy toys can help too, and as they start to reach for them, they’ll be working on the strength and coordination needed to crawl.
Common Causes of Delayed Milestones
Not all delays are cause for concern. Babies will hit these milestones when they’re ready, but they do need the chance to work it out. If they really cannot stand the opportunity to practice, we have to wonder if something else is going on.
A common cause of tummy time frustration is reflux, especially in younger babies. Reflux is particularly prevalent in young babies as their diet is all liquid, and their abdominal muscles are not as strong and effective as they soon will be. This means that the sphincter at the top of the stomach is less supported, and the stomach contents is more prone to leaking back up. Laying on their front exacerbates this, and even if you don’t see any spit up, it may still be causing heartburn symptoms for baby.
Rolling may be hindered by another common muscular issue: torticollis. This is where muscles on one side of the neck are too tight. It’s hard to notice these things in your baby when you see them all day every day, but if you look for asymmetry in their head movement, you might notice something. Sometimes looking at photos you’ve taken over the last few weeks can show a pattern- does baby always look or reach to one side, and not the other?
Both of these issues may respond to stretches and osteopathic techniques. But if you have any concerns that something isn’t quite right, do speak to your baby’s doctor or other medical professional.
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