**IF YOUR BABY IS WORKING OR DOES NOT YET HAVE FULL HEAD CONTROL -- WATCH THIS NEWER VIDEO INSTEAD: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html If you still have questions book a 20 minute phone call or 60 minute online consultation with me here: drlaurenbaker.clientsecure.me/request/service
Hi Sue! thanks so much for the comment, I do not have any on the channel right now but you might find more videos over at ruclips.net/user/pediatricphysicaltherapyexercises that are closer to what you are looking for. If you are looking for a specific exercise let me know and I can see if I can find something. The best would to make sure baby has a pediatric physical therapist on the team who can send you specific videos that are individualized to the child since CP can vary child to child significantly. That being said, most play positions depending on age are usually still appropriate (although may need to be modified) regardless of diagnosis so things like tummy time, sidelying play, back play before sitting independently etc. If you give me an idea on what milestone baby is closest to I might be able to help more as well!
This was very helpful! My daughter will be 10 months old and has low muscle tone. She has 2 rare genetic disorders and will need lots of PT/OT. I literally found this video and now I'm on the floor with her doing what I've learned in this video. Thanks!!!
Hi Samara, Thanks so much for the comment. It must be such a tough yet rewarding journey that you are on and your daughter is SO BLESSED to have you as a mama, advocate, and guide on this journey of life. Make sure you check out the pediatric playlist as there are a few more videos here and tons on RUclips that should help you. Make sure you check out the comments on the videos too because I love to drop other resources like great instagrams to follow from pediatric PTs sharing a ton of knowledge that will help. It’s always best as I’m sure you know to have PT in person but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a ton on your own. If you’re in the US make sure to check out my friend Hopes online course in the description box for tummy time and 6-15 month milestones too. Always here if you have specific questions!!
@@DrLaurenBaker thank you so much! I will review the videos today. My goal is to create a list of exercises that I can do with her every day. She hasn't received any PT/OT in like 3 weeks as we wait to get a new agency that has availability to come to our house or do telehealth. So in the meantime I want to do as much as possible myself. Truly appreciate your response! Have a great day!
Absolutely! If you have specific questions on any positions or milestones please let me know and if I don’t have a video with an exercise idea I’m more than happy to find one and share it with you. There are SO MANY things proactive mamas can do with their babies to help them move better I am ALL ABOUT sharing!
Hi Adewunmi, Thank you so much for your comment. At seven months, I would absolutely recommend having a physical therapy or physio evaluation and to make sure that your physician is aware of your head control concerns. That being said, there is so much you can also do in addition to 1:1 medical interventions (which I would absolutely recommend at this age). The biggest would be to focus on the different planes of movement: working on looking to the right and left, up and down while lying on their back (using food or safe teething toys are great options), tummy time in various positions working up to 60 minutes per day, and playing in sidelying (both directions) will help a kiddo naturally progress with head control. Here is a great video from my friend Hope on tummy time with a real baby :) ruclips.net/video/harmEY1bIS8/видео.html . Good luck and please reach out with additional questions, Lauren
Will try this to my son later😊 He is 1yr old already (30weeker - premature baby) diagnosed with down's, he has low/weak muscle control esp in his head. His grip is also weak😔 i hope this will help. Btw you're so pretty😅
Hi Jo Ann! if head control is still an issue, make sure to support behind the shoulders if you notice a head lag at all (new video coming soon on this specific modification). Make sure you check out the playlists on whatever specific milestone your babe is working on mastering (crawling, sitting, walking, etc) because there you will find more videos & I'm uploading weekly now so more to come! Good luck and feel free to check out the pinned comment if a parent consultation is helpful regarding which exercises build on each other based on a kiddos season of movement. I'm sure you already have a physio or physical therapist on your team, but if you do not I'd also recommending reaching out to a local one for support for your little. Great job learning about movement on your own mama!
Hi my baby is 6.5 months old .. his head moves alot when i make him sit .. he is not comfortable while standing his legs doesnt keep his legs straight and puts legs in air and cries .. what should i do?
Hi Asmita, thank you so much for reaching out and leaving a comment. My first instinct would be to make an appointment with a physiotherapist or physical therapist to see if there is any weakness going on and to rule out any hip issues since not wanting to weight bear is something that I would want checked out. Sometimes it can be because of weakness, sensory sensitivity or because something more is going on in the hips. Because you also noted head control and that he’s not sitting independently yet it might be a combination of things. If a physical therapist is not available in your area, try focusing on getting 60 minutes of tummy time per day and working on mastering rolling if your little one hasnt gotten there yet. I’d also make sure to follow up with your pediatrician or doctor to see if they have any additional insight. You’re doing such a great job trying to find information for your kiddo, keep it up 💕💕💕 Lauren
Hlo mam now my 6 month preterm baby is .. roll over and taking his head and seeing left and right side since 10 dady but my question is when I take him shoulder his head is little lag?? Why mam pls reply
Thanks so much for the comment. It may be simply that it is a motion that the baby is not quite familiar with completing. Try this video instead with support behind the shoulders and see if you see an improvement: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.htmlsi=3_OUTnZ5-zGxBdFy Always make sure to bring up any concerns with your babys pediatrician. A few things to look for: Can the baby hold their head up to 90 degrees (straight up and down) when on their tummy and pushing through both elbows equally for 10+ minutes? If not, focusing on tummy time on the floor can help build head and neck strength. Is the baby rolling over both from back to belly AND belly to back? If struggling with one direction, that may indicate a flexibility or strength issue that may be limiting. Here is my comprehensive resource for all things 0-6 months for tummy time and rolling 📚 Tummy Time & Learning to Roll Book - amzn.to/3u2NKqk (affiliate link) or the free online course which can be accessed here: drlaurenbaker.com/courses Hope this helps ❤️
Hello mam, my baby was born at 36 weeks and 6days and he was in nicu for 12 days now he is 4 months 8dayls old he is not holding his neck properly when am giving tummy time he always prefers to see only one side more and the other side less why plz let me know.
Bhavani, Thank you so much for your comment. Kiddos who are premature have an adjusted gross motor age so it is not uncommon for a kiddo born at 36 weeks and 6 days to have an adjusted age of approximately 3 months. This pdf explains adjusted age if no one has taken the time to share that with you: www.unmc.edu/media/mmi/jackson/TIPS-Intro/Understanding_Corrected_Age.pdf Additionally, this is a calculator to help you figure out the adjusted gross motor age of your child at any time: neonatal.rti.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=AdjustedAgeCalculator.main Any noted asymmetries in head positioning could be indicative of torticollis and/or plagiocephaly (flattening of the head). It would be recommended if you are seeing a preference for one side to notify your pediatrician and request a referral to physical therapy and/or physiotherapy for an evaluation. A really great instagram account for torticollis is: instagram.com/babybegin/ they also do online consultations if you do have concerns regarding head shape at all: babybegin.com/ The great news is that working on rotating to the other side and implementing physical therapy early has much better outcomes. If you are in a country where PT is not readily available please email me info@drlaurenbaker.com and I will provide you with more in depth exercises that can be done on your own. However, if you do live in an area with PT available I would highly recommend calling this week to get scheduled for an evaluation. They're also amazing people to help you learn about how your baby is moving :) Please let me know if you have additional questions. Lauren
Thank u so much,my kiddo is 3months 15days old and cant lift his head,my pediatric suggested physiotherapy, hope this helps him well,can u pls tell me in how many days he will be able to lift his head. He is lifting his head on doing tummy time and also he is able to stand his head a little when we make him sit,pls tell how many days it might take my kid to overcome this headlag
Hi Suneetha! Thank you so much for your comment. Unfortunately, each baby is different so I cannot predict how long it will take for your kiddo to master the skill of head control. I really think that having a physiotherapist work with your child would be the best way to have all of your questions answered. That being said, holding their head up while in tummy time is a great first step skill, so be proud of your kiddo for working on that. This exercise might help continue to increase their head/neck control by using a pacifier or other toy that is safe to put in their mouth. 1. ruclips.net/video/efoHgFe1tQY/видео.html 2. ruclips.net/video/mgAUqJ9yI0c/видео.html Hope these continue to help! Lauren
Hii suneetha how is ur baby doing now same problem with my babu who is 5 months old he is not lifting hos head properly and am lifting him on my shoulders he is holding his neck but not strongly plz reply how much time ur baby taken to do this..
Hi Bhavani Reddy, I'm sending lots of love to you and your journey with increasing your babes head control. I would highly recommend asking your doctor for a physio/physical therapist evaluation if they are available in your area. If you are still working on head control the gold standard exercises include working up to 60 minutes of tummy time per day (elevated or on the floor), sidelying play, and playing on their back with suspended objects overhead. Each baby progresses at their own rate but head control is needed for other activities. You may also want to check out the head control playlist and rolling playlist as rolling and head control are close milestones. Good luck, Lauren
Hello. My baby is 3month old but she is 34weeks premature baby. She cannot still control her head and she does not like tummy time at all.😢should I be worried?
Hi Virasha! Thanks so much for the comment. Short answer, not unless there are other things going on. That being said, if you have a peds physio or physical therapist in the area, it’s not a bad idea to reach out and just see if they do screens or have their number in case more things pop up. Being a premie changed their adjusted age, so your little is more in the 1-2 month adjusted age range and head control is not expected until 3+ . Here is an adjusted age calculator in case you don’t have one yet: www.omnicalculator.com/health/adjusted-age I will say that disliking tummy time can make gaining head strength tougher so I would recommend watching the tummy time playlist and doing chest to chest tummy time as much as possible for now. If you’re also have trouble with feeding then I would work with a lactation consultant and pediatric physiotherapist because there could be some front body tightness that is making tummy time more difficult. Hope this helps!
Hi Vamsi Krishna, Thank you so much for your comment. It is not uncommon for babes who spend significant time in the NICU and/or are born prematurely to have an "adjusted" age. It can be tricky to calculate but this website does a great job at it: neonatal.rti.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=AdjustedAgeCalculator.main -- simply put in your kiddos date of birth, today's date for (date of developmental test), the number of weeks & days they were born at (ie 39 weeks 5 days, etc) and then hit calculate. If your babe was premature, this will give you a better idea of what milestones they would be expected to be at. Ie a 7 month old that was born at 26 weeks, would have an adjusted age of roughly 3 months and would then not be considered "delayed" necessarily if they were still working on head control. See next comment for more info (this one is getting long).
That being said, head control is the first gross motor milestone so it's absolutely one that you want to continue to work on with your babe. Other exercises that might help include this video: ruclips.net/video/efoHgFe1tQY/видео.html encouraging the babe to bring their mouth to a toy and playing in sidelying supervised can be great ways to encourage development of hands in midline and head control. If you do have concerns about your kiddos development, please talk with your child's pediatrician so they can help you find a Physical Therapist (or physio therapist) to help, especially as 1:1 individualized care is the absolute best for a kiddo. I hope this is helpful, please comment back if you have any other questions or if you're looking for something more specific. & Don't forget to subscribe (I have more peds content coming this year!). Good luck, Lauren
Vamsi Krishna, Also, please make sure that you are working on tummy time with your kiddo (this can help starting when babies are just born) and working to 60 minutes per day on their tummy (supervised). This video may help: ruclips.net/video/mgAUqJ9yI0c/видео.html Focus only on tummy time on their belly until your kiddo achieves head control and rolling, then supported quadruped (all fours) would generally be appropriate. Hope this is helpful! Lauren
Hi maam..my baby is 7 1/2 month old...she has PVL grad 3.. But ahe is doing good with pt... She is ROLLING OVER, has a 90% OF HEAD CONTROL...,SITS WITHOUT SUPPORT FOR 10 SEC ...now processing her for aitting and hand weight bearing.....still i need a clarification ..that as she is improving theough the pt..will she become a normal kid...the physio therapsit says she is improving well....understanding well...but ilonly time says how she will be...aoo iam worried
Hi Ralinarafi, Thank you so much for your comment. I am so glad that your baby is receiving PT and that person along with your child's doctor would be the best candidates for giving you a prognosis, but the truth is, no one can truly know exactly how a child will develop when given a diagnosis. Children surprise us all the time. My best advice would be to look for the glimmers (moments of joy in this season), focus on the next small step of her development and believe that she can achieve it. There will be times this journey may be incredibly difficult, but there is so much joy still there -- this is your journey and the journey with your beautiful daughter that was entrusted to you. There is meaning in this experience, in this journey, in this time. Tell your daughter how much you believe in her, tell her how much she's loved, tell her that together you can both do hard things. I don't have the answers you are looking for, because I am not sure anyone does right now -- but the answer you didn't ask for is this: spend every day looking for the little glimmers of awe and joy as she develops, take deep breaths during the hard moments, and trust that things will be okay even if your experience is not quite to the same as someone else's. Find mamas who may be in a similar situation as you when you are ready.
Hello Dr my baby is 12months old ..he didn't crawl, and sit with support ...and rolling on the floor side to back..pls suggest some exercise...to achieve his milestones..
Hi Pragati, thank you so much for your comment. I'm not 100% sure I fully understand where your child is at. If a 12 month old is not yet crawling, sitting independently, or rolling then I would highly recommend reaching out to the child's pediatrician and a physiotherapist or physical therapist to have the best chance at independent movement and make sure there isn't anything else going on. As far as exercises to start with, a child who is not yet rolling or sitting independently will need to master those milestones ideally before they are able to transition to crawling. Please watch the videos in the rolling playlist here: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SHjgrAXqUkVXDgZ6Ox8lN6 and these two core strengthening exercises - ruclips.net/video/riyQjiSjNfM/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html that may be appropriate at this stage (again, I'm not sure I fully understand where your child is at, so I highly encourage having them see an expert in movement in your country -physiotherapist or physical therapist would be ideal). I hope this is helpful.
Hi Lakshmi, Thank you so much for your comment. Head control can be tough and I'm glad you reached out. The biggest thing that helps head control is tummy time. Focusing on tummy time working up to 60 minutes per day total and spending as much time on the floor supervised will help your baby learn how to move the best. Tummy time can also be done on the knees or sitting on the couch as shown by my friend hope in her video here: ruclips.net/video/harmEY1bIS8/видео.html Other great positions to work on include sidelying so that the babies hands are at midline and playing in the middle of their bodies. Using binkies or food as motivators to have the baby. look in different directions rotating to the right and left lying on their back, looking up, and also looking down. If you continue to have concerns a physical therapist or physio would be the absolute right person you'd want to have evaluate your kiddo. It's my favorite to teach mamas how their babies is moving and how to empower them to help their babes move better and it's always best to have someone in person if you can! Good luck!
Hi Bhavani, I’m so sorry that this season has so many unknowns and I’m so proud of you for searching for answers for your kiddo. When kiddos are lying on their side it’s not atypical for them to play more with their hands at midline and rest in a side lying position. If a kiddo is struggling to put weight through their elbows when on their belly make sure their elbows are tucked and under their shoulders. You can also bring their head above the level of their hips (on an incline) to make tummy time easier. I hope these tips help. Always bring up concerns with your physician and keep advocating for your babe.
Hi Lauren, In love with your awesome personality..my baby boy is 8 and half month old, yet to sit unassisted..i believe he needs to develop core strength..he rolls back everytime when i try putting him in his tummy...anything that i can do to help him..
Steffi, Thanks so much for the sweet compliment! I have a few favorite ways to work with babes to develop independent sitting skills, so hopefully some of these help. I always encourage mama's to reach out to PTs in their area as well because sometimes it's really nice to have someone teach you exactly how YOUR babe is moving and it doesn't always have to mean a full plan of care. Exercises I love: Bench sitting: having the babe sit on the edge of the couch with their feet elevated will put their hips in a different position. This requires the core to work a little harder and also doesn't allow babes to cheat by locking out their hips, which makes it a more fluid position (that requires more muscle contraction, which is a good thing). Doing this for 30" to 2 minutes at a time can help the kiddo build independent sitting confidence. Pull to sit: if a kiddo is not yet pulling to sit with their hands and tucking their chin, support them behind the shoulders and then repeat from supine to sitting and then slowly lower them back toward the ground supporting behind the shoulders so they can also work on the opposite direction. Side sitting: This is a good picture of side sitting. This is one of my favorite ways to help support kiddos build hip strength I always make sure to support the hip on both sides. www.fundamentalspt.com/blog/side-sitting Hopefully these ideas help, but truthfully reaching out to a PT is a great way to feel confident that you're supporting your babe in the best way possible. Being proactive is huge as a mama and you're absolutely doing the best thing!
@@DrLaurenBaker thsnks a ton Lauren..i will definitely seek PT help as well...your help with suggesting these exercises means a lot...sending lots of love and hugs💕💕
Hi Skin Mantra by dr. dubey, Thanks so much for your comment, I love that you're being proactive in trying to find answers to help your babe get stronger. Your provider (doctor or physical therapist/physiotherapist) will be the absolute best to help you navigate this time and allow for individualized care for your baby to meet their needs. That being said, there are a few general recommendations that all parents can utilize for babies working on head control. A few tips include: 1. Work on tummy time in alternate positions working up to a total of 60 minutes per day. A few tips for tummy time: tuck their elbows in and place them slightly in front of their shoulders, lift their trunk above their hips (their head / shoulders should be elevated resting on an elevated surface like a bopee or your chest while you sit on an incline). 2. Playing on their side supervised is a great head/neck strengthening exercise but is not quite as demanding as tummy time. 3. Help babies bring their feet to mouth or hands to mouth to explore. Check out the tummy time playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SnonvLqKF7xKHvF66wVp3- or head control playlist for more ideas: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RfTXFcYxTIrtN85Cmlwbp6 Good luck and please let me know if you have any questions! Lauren
Hi Yousra, thanks so much for the comment. Typically, exercise especially working up to 60 minutes per day in tummy time will be the most effective. There are specific situations where other devices are utilized for head control depending on the kiddo but I would find a physical therapist, physiotherpist or doctor to evaluate your child prior to purchasing any external device. Depending on age, exercise and physical therapy would be the most effective and likely safest route for a kiddo struggling with head control. I have not ever recommended neck supporting collars to the kiddos I work with. Please check out the tummy time playlist for some ideas and comment back if you would like more exercise options. Lauren
Hi Danush, Thank you so much for your comment. This is a good video to start with if your kiddo is struggling with head control. Typical progression of movements includes: head control, tolerating tummy time for 60 minutes/day, sitting supported, sitting unsupported, getting into all fours (quadruped), rocking in all fours, crawling, pulling to stand, and then walking. At a year, I would absolutely recommend speaking with your child's doctor to see if there are any options to have the child see a physiotherapist for an individualized treatment plan. In the meantime, I will share a few other activities that may help your kiddo continue to build strength.
Working on Head Control: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RfTXFcYxTIrtN85Cmlwbp6 Working on developing core strength: ruclips.net/video/DxM_m-pUlo4/видео.html (specifically the supported sitting video and tummy time videos). Good luck, there are a few other resources that I've put in the comments of various videos that may help as well, so definitely check out the comments section of any video in the pediatric playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SJisMo0x9cy4scdg6BJyrQ
Hi Hossai, thank you so much for your comment. At 10 months, I would aboslutely recommend having your daughter see a pediatric physical therapist or physiotherapist in your area. If that is not possible, you can schedule an online parent consultation via the link in the pinned comment. In the meantime, I would highly recommend watching all the videos in the learning to sit playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RLo0bW2r3jWr--nNDXIyHs AND the learning to roll playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SHjgrAXqUkVXDgZ6Ox8lN6 The way we develop as babies is a building block style of learning, so the motions that were a milestone before need to be mastered before we can move on. I would also focus on working on 60 minutes of tummy time - ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SnonvLqKF7xKHvF66wVp3- becuase that is one of the best ways to build neck strength for babies.
Hi. My baby is 7 months and can’t hold her head well. She can hold it and move it going forward but flops going backwards. She does have prader willi a genetic disorder and i would like to know how i can help her with the floppyness. She does do pt but he hasn’t come up with ideas to help with her floppyness
Hi Jazmin, I’m so glad that your kiddo is in PT and that you’re being such a proactive parent. When a kiddo has difficulty with holding their head against gravity, we’re looking at the strength of the neck of the muscles on the front (which would be weak if the head went backwards and the chin didn’t tuck when being pulled to sit) as well as the neck muscles on the back (can the baby hold their head up while in tummy time and push through the elbows). For babies working on head control I encourage working up to 60 minutes of tummy time per day (in different positions: floor, elevated shoulders above hips like on a bopee or on your knees), playing on their back with their hips elevated so they can grab their feet, as well as playing on both sides. If a kiddo struggles with head control they may also struggle with rolling, which is a milestone that builds on head control. I will share a few video ideas but tummy time up to 60 minutes, playing on the floor, limiting any containers (objects you place a baby in) for 10-15 min at a time and less than 2 hours per day, and playing in side lying are great ways to improve head control. Due to her diagnosis and any other conditions she may have, progress can be varied and I would talk specifically with your PT on the progress they see with her so you can know where she’s at and how far she’s likely already come.
Additionally, working towards rolling if your baby is ready (talk to your PT specifically please) can help with continuing to strength the head and neck: Learning to Roll ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SHjgrAXqUkVXDgZ6Ox8lN6
Hi Jazmin, I'm not sure if you're past this stage yet but if you're still working on head control, this new video might help even more: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
Hi Nowie, At 2.5 months the best thing a parent can do to increase head control is to work up to 60 total minutes in tummy time per day. This can be in many different positions (check out the tummy time playlist for some ideas). At 3 months, a parent can start the pull to sit exercises but likely will need to support behind the shoulder. Here is a newer video that shows that technique: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html Unless there are other things going on, not having full head control at 2.5 months is not uncommon. However, if you have questions on your little specifically I always encourage parents to bring it up with their pediatrician and have a consultation either in person or online with a physical therapist (my link is in the pinned comment if you have more questions!). Good luck, Lauren
Charmy, Thank you so much for your comment. Depending on where you are, I would absolutely recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician and seeing if you can get a Physical Therapy Evaluation. If that is not possible in your location, please make sure you subscribe as I am adding more videos this month in the pediatric space. Each child develops at their own pace, but I would absolutely recommend reaching out to medical professionals if possible. Sending lots of love, lauren.
Hi there. My baby just turned 12 weeks today. I tested pull to sit with her last night and saw that she has a severe head lag. She was diagnosed with BESSI (benign enlargement of the subarachnoid space), so she does have a big head. She's able to bring hands to midline and mouth her hands. Reaches for beads in side lying, good visual tracking. Do you think that her head lag is due to her large head? Should I get a PT referral from pediatrician? I'm an OT but have never worked with little babies, and my anxiety is through the roof. Just browsing YT for neck flexion exercises and stumbled upon your video (which is very informative-thanks!)
Hi KillerShoe ;) thanks for the comment. I honestly think any mamas who want to learn more about how their babies move should seek to find a physical therapist for at least an evaluation or a wellness check (some PTs are doing this now). Especially since your babe does have a medical diagnosis, three months is a great place to be proactive especially since head control is really the first step to all the other milestones. That being said, it's not uncommon for babies to not have full head control with a pull to sit. I did not demonstrate it in this specific video (I have an updated one coming soon!) but placing your hands behind their shoulders and doing a baby sit up with shoulder support from an incline like a boppy and then transitioning to floor are really great ways to continue to build that head control. All the play positions you're already are doing are great especially sidelying. I think for your personal well being talking to a peds PT in person about milestones and since your kiddo has a medical diagnosis to have them see her in person would be super helpful for you in the next few months. Good luck and if you have any specific questions, I am available for parent consults link in pinned comment (I still think for your babe since there is an underlying condition that a PT in person is the best place to start!). Lauren
Yay for being a proactive mama!! 🙌🙌🙌 so proud of you. My other question in the meantime is how long is she able to tolerate tummy time? At 3 months the gold standard is to work up to 60 min per day in tummy time or modified tummy time (shoulders/head above hips like elevated on a wedge or boppy or on your knees - check out the tummy time playlist on my channel and specifically the one from my friend hope with the newborn - still positions that’d be great for 3mo olds). It’s okay to start at 2-5 min and go to a baby’s tolerance but you def want to be conscious on length of time they are able to tolerate, in what position, and how long total per day. Keep me updated if you want, I love hearing about the mamas and babies who find this channel and their progress ❤️❤️ Lauren
@@DrLaurenBaker hey! So I've been working with her all weekend, and she's now able to do the pull to sit with minimal head lag. I guess something clicked for her and she is doing it now haha! She does very well with tummy time. I'm not a fan of containers, so she spends nearly all of her awake time playing on the floor (when she's not being held), and I make sure some of that time is spent on her tummy. I think part of the problem is my post partum anxiety and fixating on anything I think she's behind on. It doesn't help that I worked as a peds OT for 5 years lol. Thanks so much for your input.
absolutely! Mama life has so many moving pieces and each kiddo does develop at their own pace -- but you are ONE amazing, proactive mama who is putting in the time to be educated and that is what matters. Your daughter is lucky to have you. PS one of my favorite anxiety/calming techniques is two hands on the heart with deep pressure and deep breathes, it stimulates the vagus nerve and has worked so well for me and I hope it helps you too. Never be afraid to know that you're worthy of rest & a still moment too, mama
Hi mam, my baby is 4 month and 9 days. She us able to roll over but still have a head lag. I am worried . Please let me know if I can follow this exerci? Also She is born at 37 week 4 days is this premature?
Hi Poornima, yay for rolling over! that is such a fun milestone to achieve (& hard!). Head lag is something I would want to continue working on -- you can do this exercise, but if there is head lag, please support behind the shoulders until that is resolved (new video using this modification coming soon!). Also make sure to check out the head control playlist for other exercises to try. If you have a physical therapist or physiotherapist in your area, I do always encourage parents to reach out with any concerns because it's so nice for someone to explain exactly how your child is moving and to help you reach that next stage. Good luck!
Shefali, so sweet of you to ask Poornima, I'm hoping it did as well. If you have any questions on improving head control please let me know. The key is definitely tummy time mixed with making sure a baby's trunk, neck, and shoulder muscles are all working together and not weak/tight to make sure tummy time is tolerable. Happy to chat more if you know someone struggling with helping a babe develop neck strength.
Hey, thanks for the video, its great. I will start with this exercise from tomorrow. My girl is 2,5 months old and can’t lift her head yet. She could only do it when im holding her and my hands are on her tummy and chest for support. She does it for a few seconds only. When i put her on the mat, laying on her belly she does it once or twice for a second. I tried placing baby pillow under her chest, it doesn’t help either. Im really trying my best, different positions 20-30 Mins a day but nothing helps. I found out about tummy time when she was 2-3 weeks old so maybe its my fault she is having troubles gaining muscle tone. Is it too late and should i contact a doctor, or can we still try at home for sometime? Thanks
Hi So So! At 2.5 months babies will continue to develop head control and it’s not fully expected for them to have full head control until 3+ months but every baby is different. I always recommend bringing up concerns with your child’s doctor and seeing a physiotherapist or physical therapist (same just different names depending on location/country) if you have specific questions on how your baby is presenting. A few tips include placing her elbows in front of her shoulders and having her chest higher than her legs on an incline. This can happen if you have a stability or exercise ball or on your chest if your head is higher than your belly and she is on your chest. I would absolutely ask your doctor what their thoughts are but it’s also equally important to keep working on exercises. The other great options are to play in side lying and on her back. Tummy time is great and recommended time total per day is 60 minutes (but working up to that is fine!). Also avoid any baby containers for longer than 15” per episode and less than 2 hour per day (floor play is the best play). Please let me know if you have any questions.
So So, I'm so glad to hear your baby is making progress! Keep working on tummy time for up to 60 minutes in different positions (head higher than pelvis on an incline, flat, or on a stability ball are all great options!). At 3 months, playing on their side (alternating) is also a great option because it allows their hands to get to midline and works on looking down at hands which is activating the neck muscles. Ozlem, sending lots of love and if you have a specific question or position you're working on with your kiddo let me know and if I don't have a video that covers it I'll make sure to find one for you! Sending lots of strong baby vibes! Lauren
Hi Sugi! Thank you so much for the comment. The gold standard is to not have a head lag by 3 months, it's a really good sign when a baby doesn't have a head lag. There could be many reasons for a head lag occuring including not yet ready for the pulling motion through the arms. Try to support her behind her shoulders when you work on this exercise so that she can focus on using her abdominals and take out the arm component. That might give you a more accurate understanding of where her head control is at. Head control exercises that are really helpful include tummy time for a total of 60 minutes per day (focusing on 10-15 minutes per activity), sidelying activities, and lying on the back while reaching overhead or playing with hands at midline. At 5 months, I would also be working on rolling activities including rolling from back to sidelying as well as helping a baby move from her back to her belly in order to get into tummy time. Check out the head control, tummy time, and rolling playlists for more exercise ideas. If you have any concerns at any time, I always encourage my parents to reach out to a physiotherapist or physical therapist as they are the experts you would want to learn how your baby is moving from. Good luck! Lauren
Hi Katie! I would focus on tummy time for a newborn and playing on their side to bring their hands together. Pull to sit is an activity to concentrate on at around 3 months of age. Other good things to note for newborns is paying attention to whether they're tilting their head to one side more frequently and/or rotating to one side vs the other. Both of those are risk factors for Torticollis and Plagiocephaly (flattening on the skull) and should also be on your kiddos pediatrician's radar. If you do notice any of those signs, please know that Physical Therapists/Physiotherapists are trained to help decrease those risks from 2 weeks on. You can always email me info@drlaurenbaker.com if you have any specific questions and I can point you in a good direction toward healthcare providers in your area or resources that might help! Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it! Lauren
Thank you Shalom! I would love any requests or ideas you think would make great videos, especially since you're a Physio too. Where are you located? I love that youtube is international and can help connect & share information across the world. Lauren
Shalom, quick question: is Pediatric Physical Therapy documentation a subject that people in your area are looking for more information on? I had a few Physiotherapists from India reach out about my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Pediatric Physical Therapy Documentation to let them know when it was available on Amazon and Kindle so they could check it out and wanted to make sure I asked you as well! Drop me a comment & I'll post the link if it's something you'd like to check out.
My pediatrician did to my baby the pull to sit , she is only 9 days old. I was so shocked. I was afraid for her neck. Is this normal to do for a week old baby?
Virginia85, thank you so much for your comment. Typically pull to sit is done around 3 months of age to test for head lag (head extension when bringing the baby against gravity). Pediatricians do test for different reflexes that may be present at birth, however, I’m not sure exactly why your pediatrician chose that movement exactly. That being said, never be afraid to speak up and ask questions if something concerns you. You can even ask at your next appointment. Personally, I don’t use pull to sit until 3 months but may try earlier if the babies head control is above average; however, still in the 2 month range. Always know you can also request a different pediatrician if your current provider doesn’t take the time to explain what they’re doing and why - or if you simply don’t feel it’s a good fit. Good luck!
Hi Olga! I don’t personally have any kiddos of my own so it’s easiest for me to explain things with “baby Eric,” there are a lot of great channels that do use kiddos but there are also a lot of legal concerns that go along with that as well. I do see babies in their homes but from a filming standpoint it has not yet been feasible for me to bring kiddos to my house, have good lighting, set up the camera and audio - a lot goes into filming that people don’t always consider. That being said, it is something I am looking into for the future and thank you for expressing how helpful it would be for you to have.
Olga, I'm super excited to share I found a mama and baby who were willing to let me film :) if you are looking for more videos perhaps this one will help -- ruclips.net/video/XQ3iEqwvoFQ/видео.html I will also have a new pull to sit video coming out soon with an actual live human infant too :) thanks for the comment to motivate me to keep asking mamas if they'd be willing to help!
Hi Asifa! For babies, lots of positions develop core strength which is fantastic! Here are a few I have uploaded (more coming soon! editing takes so long!) Here is my current core strength playlist with five videos: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03ROwOFIWmeNBWfoGHUcsGYE A Few great PTs to follow on instagram for exercise ideas: KinActive Kids: instagram.com/kinactive_kids/ Mommy and Me PT: instagram.com/mommyandme.pt/ My good friend Hope who is also a PT has a few movement based online courses that are linked in the description (tummy time 101 and a 6-15 month old movement course that covers sitting, crawling, pulling to stand, and walking milestones) which you can find at her website www.movingmunchkins.com/ use code drlaurenbaker for $5 off the moving munchkins 6mo-15mo course.
Hahaha Nora, it’s a very expensive baby doll that I conned my mom into buying when I was little because my cousin had one and I was obsessed with how real it is. It helped demo concepts before I had parents who would agree to have their babes filmed (I don’t have kiddos myself so you do what you gotta to get the content out right?!). I totally get that it would be creepy especially if it’s not-aliveness was a surprise! Check out this updated one for a real babe :) ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
@@DrLaurenBaker I understand,of coarse🙂 Growing up ,I loved barbie dolls,couldn't have enough. Baby dolls ,with the bonnets and pacifiers were creepy to me. The creepiest of them all?? The porcelain dolls,with the gone with the wind dresses,baby faces yet adult red lipstick. My husband does home renovations so I'm in his truck when he receives a call from one of his worker's about a situation they were having at the house his crew were working on. We go out there and as we're pulling up to the house,I see the most prettiest house,with the perfect lawn, a gazeebo, and a man made lake on her property. Absolutely beautiful. I sat in the truck to wait for my husband when she opens the door and waves for me to come inside. She didn't want i wait in the truck. I go in the kitchen area while she and my husband are going over her kitchen's this that and the other renovation. She didn't want i breath in all the dust in the kitchen so she leads me to her livingroom. Oh my gosh,what the??? She had all sizes of porcelain dolls,with petticoats,lace and velvet dresses,blonds and brunettes, dresses in every color under the suns were displayed EVERYWHERE! I'm like,oh how beautiful your dolls are. Then, she leads to other rooms to show more😁She had her most valuable one's in glass shelves in lock and key,omgosh! She had dolls from her trips to Europe,dolls from antique places she purchased,dolls from dead People lol She had names for each of her dolls 😂When she said the dolls are like her children? Check please! 🥺☺ Anyway,my sister inlaw gave birth to her first newborn. She's just about 2 month's old,but my sister inlaw is nervous when it comes to how to properly hold her baby's head. I searched on RUclips and your video was the one that caught my eye. Btw,I shared your video sent to her. She'll probably read the comments and see how i went on a tangent about dolls ,totally irrelevant to the subject. Sorry about that 🙂 Have a great weekend, and much luck to you❤💖
Hahaha that’s hilarious, make sure to have her check out the tummy time playlist I have a really great video by my PT bestie Hope on there showing different tummy time ideas for newborns and up and I think that will help her a ton too!
**IF YOUR BABY IS WORKING OR DOES NOT YET HAVE FULL HEAD CONTROL -- WATCH THIS NEWER VIDEO INSTEAD: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
If you still have questions book a 20 minute phone call or 60 minute online consultation with me here: drlaurenbaker.clientsecure.me/request/service
My baby is 7 month and his neck is not stable is that normal
Would love some videos for positioning young babies with cp
Hi Sue! thanks so much for the comment, I do not have any on the channel right now but you might find more videos over at ruclips.net/user/pediatricphysicaltherapyexercises that are closer to what you are looking for. If you are looking for a specific exercise let me know and I can see if I can find something. The best would to make sure baby has a pediatric physical therapist on the team who can send you specific videos that are individualized to the child since CP can vary child to child significantly. That being said, most play positions depending on age are usually still appropriate (although may need to be modified) regardless of diagnosis so things like tummy time, sidelying play, back play before sitting independently etc. If you give me an idea on what milestone baby is closest to I might be able to help more as well!
This was very helpful! My daughter will be 10 months old and has low muscle tone. She has 2 rare genetic disorders and will need lots of PT/OT. I literally found this video and now I'm on the floor with her doing what I've learned in this video. Thanks!!!
Hi Samara,
Thanks so much for the comment. It must be such a tough yet rewarding journey that you are on and your daughter is SO BLESSED to have you as a mama, advocate, and guide on this journey of life. Make sure you check out the pediatric playlist as there are a few more videos here and tons on RUclips that should help you. Make sure you check out the comments on the videos too because I love to drop other resources like great instagrams to follow from pediatric PTs sharing a ton of knowledge that will help. It’s always best as I’m sure you know to have PT in person but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a ton on your own. If you’re in the US make sure to check out my friend Hopes online course in the description box for tummy time and 6-15 month milestones too. Always here if you have specific questions!!
@@DrLaurenBaker thank you so much! I will review the videos today. My goal is to create a list of exercises that I can do with her every day. She hasn't received any PT/OT in like 3 weeks as we wait to get a new agency that has availability to come to our house or do telehealth. So in the meantime I want to do as much as possible myself. Truly appreciate your response! Have a great day!
Absolutely! If you have specific questions on any positions or milestones please let me know and if I don’t have a video with an exercise idea I’m more than happy to find one and share it with you. There are SO MANY things proactive mamas can do with their babies to help them move better I am ALL ABOUT sharing!
@@DrLaurenBaker hi ma,my baby is almost 7months,he can't hold his neck
Hi Adewunmi, Thank you so much for your comment. At seven months, I would absolutely recommend having a physical therapy or physio evaluation and to make sure that your physician is aware of your head control concerns. That being said, there is so much you can also do in addition to 1:1 medical interventions (which I would absolutely recommend at this age). The biggest would be to focus on the different planes of movement: working on looking to the right and left, up and down while lying on their back (using food or safe teething toys are great options), tummy time in various positions working up to 60 minutes per day, and playing in sidelying (both directions) will help a kiddo naturally progress with head control. Here is a great video from my friend Hope on tummy time with a real baby :) ruclips.net/video/harmEY1bIS8/видео.html . Good luck and please reach out with additional questions, Lauren
Will try this to my son later😊
He is 1yr old already (30weeker - premature baby) diagnosed with down's, he has low/weak muscle control esp in his head. His grip is also weak😔 i hope this will help.
Btw you're so pretty😅
Hi Jo Ann! if head control is still an issue, make sure to support behind the shoulders if you notice a head lag at all (new video coming soon on this specific modification). Make sure you check out the playlists on whatever specific milestone your babe is working on mastering (crawling, sitting, walking, etc) because there you will find more videos & I'm uploading weekly now so more to come! Good luck and feel free to check out the pinned comment if a parent consultation is helpful regarding which exercises build on each other based on a kiddos season of movement. I'm sure you already have a physio or physical therapist on your team, but if you do not I'd also recommending reaching out to a local one for support for your little. Great job learning about movement on your own mama!
Jo Ann, here is a newer video that might help even more: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
Hi my baby is 6.5 months old .. his head moves alot when i make him sit .. he is not comfortable while standing his legs doesnt keep his legs straight and puts legs in air and cries .. what should i do?
Hi Asmita, thank you so much for reaching out and leaving a comment. My first instinct would be to make an appointment with a physiotherapist or physical therapist to see if there is any weakness going on and to rule out any hip issues since not wanting to weight bear is something that I would want checked out. Sometimes it can be because of weakness, sensory sensitivity or because something more is going on in the hips. Because you also noted head control and that he’s not sitting independently yet it might be a combination of things. If a physical therapist is not available in your area, try focusing on getting 60 minutes of tummy time per day and working on mastering rolling if your little one hasnt gotten there yet. I’d also make sure to follow up with your pediatrician or doctor to see if they have any additional insight. You’re doing such a great job trying to find information for your kiddo, keep it up 💕💕💕 Lauren
Hlo mam now my 6 month preterm baby is .. roll over and taking his head and seeing left and right side since 10 dady but my question is when I take him shoulder his head is little lag?? Why mam pls reply
Thanks so much for the comment. It may be simply that it is a motion that the baby is not quite familiar with completing. Try this video instead with support behind the shoulders and see if you see an improvement: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.htmlsi=3_OUTnZ5-zGxBdFy
Always make sure to bring up any concerns with your babys pediatrician.
A few things to look for:
Can the baby hold their head up to 90 degrees (straight up and down) when on their tummy and pushing through both elbows equally for 10+ minutes? If not, focusing on tummy time on the floor can help build head and neck strength.
Is the baby rolling over both from back to belly AND belly to back? If struggling with one direction, that may indicate a flexibility or strength issue that may be limiting.
Here is my comprehensive resource for all things 0-6 months for tummy time and rolling 📚 Tummy Time & Learning to Roll Book - amzn.to/3u2NKqk (affiliate link) or the free online course which can be accessed here: drlaurenbaker.com/courses
Hope this helps ❤️
Hello mam, my baby was born at 36 weeks and 6days and he was in nicu for 12 days now he is 4 months 8dayls old he is not holding his neck properly when am giving tummy time he always prefers to see only one side more and the other side less why plz let me know.
Bhavani, Thank you so much for your comment. Kiddos who are premature have an adjusted gross motor age so it is not uncommon for a kiddo born at 36 weeks and 6 days to have an adjusted age of approximately 3 months. This pdf explains adjusted age if no one has taken the time to share that with you: www.unmc.edu/media/mmi/jackson/TIPS-Intro/Understanding_Corrected_Age.pdf Additionally, this is a calculator to help you figure out the adjusted gross motor age of your child at any time: neonatal.rti.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=AdjustedAgeCalculator.main
Any noted asymmetries in head positioning could be indicative of torticollis and/or plagiocephaly (flattening of the head). It would be recommended if you are seeing a preference for one side to notify your pediatrician and request a referral to physical therapy and/or physiotherapy for an evaluation. A really great instagram account for torticollis is: instagram.com/babybegin/ they also do online consultations if you do have concerns regarding head shape at all: babybegin.com/
The great news is that working on rotating to the other side and implementing physical therapy early has much better outcomes. If you are in a country where PT is not readily available please email me info@drlaurenbaker.com and I will provide you with more in depth exercises that can be done on your own. However, if you do live in an area with PT available I would highly recommend calling this week to get scheduled for an evaluation. They're also amazing people to help you learn about how your baby is moving :) Please let me know if you have additional questions. Lauren
Bhavani, if your kiddo is still work on head control, this newer video might help even more: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
Hi Bhavani how’s your baby now ??
Thank u so much,my kiddo is 3months 15days old and cant lift his head,my pediatric suggested physiotherapy, hope this helps him well,can u pls tell me in how many days he will be able to lift his head. He is lifting his head on doing tummy time and also he is able to stand his head a little when we make him sit,pls tell how many days it might take my kid to overcome this headlag
Hi Suneetha! Thank you so much for your comment. Unfortunately, each baby is different so I cannot predict how long it will take for your kiddo to master the skill of head control. I really think that having a physiotherapist work with your child would be the best way to have all of your questions answered.
That being said, holding their head up while in tummy time is a great first step skill, so be proud of your kiddo for working on that. This exercise might help continue to increase their head/neck control by using a pacifier or other toy that is safe to put in their mouth.
1. ruclips.net/video/efoHgFe1tQY/видео.html
2. ruclips.net/video/mgAUqJ9yI0c/видео.html
Hope these continue to help! Lauren
Hii suneetha how is ur baby doing now same problem with my babu who is 5 months old he is not lifting hos head properly and am lifting him on my shoulders he is holding his neck but not strongly plz reply how much time ur baby taken to do this..
Hi Bhavani Reddy, I'm sending lots of love to you and your journey with increasing your babes head control. I would highly recommend asking your doctor for a physio/physical therapist evaluation if they are available in your area. If you are still working on head control the gold standard exercises include working up to 60 minutes of tummy time per day (elevated or on the floor), sidelying play, and playing on their back with suspended objects overhead. Each baby progresses at their own rate but head control is needed for other activities. You may also want to check out the head control playlist and rolling playlist as rolling and head control are close milestones. Good luck, Lauren
Hello. My baby is 3month old but she is 34weeks premature baby. She cannot still control her head and she does not like tummy time at all.😢should I be worried?
Hi Virasha! Thanks so much for the comment. Short answer, not unless there are other things going on. That being said, if you have a peds physio or physical therapist in the area, it’s not a bad idea to reach out and just see if they do screens or have their number in case more things pop up. Being a premie changed their adjusted age, so your little is more in the 1-2 month adjusted age range and head control is not expected until 3+ . Here is an adjusted age calculator in case you don’t have one yet: www.omnicalculator.com/health/adjusted-age
I will say that disliking tummy time can make gaining head strength tougher so I would recommend watching the tummy time playlist and doing chest to chest tummy time as much as possible for now. If you’re also have trouble with feeding then I would work with a lactation consultant and pediatric physiotherapist because there could be some front body tightness that is making tummy time more difficult. Hope this helps!
Here is the tummy time playlist! ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SnonvLqKF7xKHvF66wVp3-
Hi Doctor my baby boy 7 months old still now he unable to hold his head please advise. He was 45 days in NICU
Hi Vamsi Krishna,
Thank you so much for your comment. It is not uncommon for babes who spend significant time in the NICU and/or are born prematurely to have an "adjusted" age. It can be tricky to calculate but this website does a great job at it: neonatal.rti.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=AdjustedAgeCalculator.main -- simply put in your kiddos date of birth, today's date for (date of developmental test), the number of weeks & days they were born at (ie 39 weeks 5 days, etc) and then hit calculate. If your babe was premature, this will give you a better idea of what milestones they would be expected to be at. Ie a 7 month old that was born at 26 weeks, would have an adjusted age of roughly 3 months and would then not be considered "delayed" necessarily if they were still working on head control. See next comment for more info (this one is getting long).
That being said, head control is the first gross motor milestone so it's absolutely one that you want to continue to work on with your babe. Other exercises that might help include this video: ruclips.net/video/efoHgFe1tQY/видео.html encouraging the babe to bring their mouth to a toy and playing in sidelying supervised can be great ways to encourage development of hands in midline and head control. If you do have concerns about your kiddos development, please talk with your child's pediatrician so they can help you find a Physical Therapist (or physio therapist) to help, especially as 1:1 individualized care is the absolute best for a kiddo.
I hope this is helpful, please comment back if you have any other questions or if you're looking for something more specific. & Don't forget to subscribe (I have more peds content coming this year!). Good luck, Lauren
Vamsi Krishna,
Also, please make sure that you are working on tummy time with your kiddo (this can help starting when babies are just born) and working to 60 minutes per day on their tummy (supervised). This video may help: ruclips.net/video/mgAUqJ9yI0c/видео.html Focus only on tummy time on their belly until your kiddo achieves head control and rolling, then supported quadruped (all fours) would generally be appropriate. Hope this is helpful! Lauren
@@DrLaurenBaker thank you doctor for your valuable advise
you are so welcome Vamsi!
THANK YOU
You’re so welcome bones of blue!
Hi maam..my baby is 7 1/2 month old...she has PVL grad 3..
But ahe is doing good with pt...
She is ROLLING OVER, has a 90% OF HEAD CONTROL...,SITS WITHOUT SUPPORT FOR 10 SEC ...now processing her for aitting and hand weight bearing.....still i need a clarification ..that as she is improving theough the pt..will she become a normal kid...the physio therapsit says she is improving well....understanding well...but ilonly time says how she will be...aoo iam worried
Hi Ralinarafi, Thank you so much for your comment. I am so glad that your baby is receiving PT and that person along with your child's doctor would be the best candidates for giving you a prognosis, but the truth is, no one can truly know exactly how a child will develop when given a diagnosis. Children surprise us all the time. My best advice would be to look for the glimmers (moments of joy in this season), focus on the next small step of her development and believe that she can achieve it. There will be times this journey may be incredibly difficult, but there is so much joy still there -- this is your journey and the journey with your beautiful daughter that was entrusted to you. There is meaning in this experience, in this journey, in this time. Tell your daughter how much you believe in her, tell her how much she's loved, tell her that together you can both do hard things. I don't have the answers you are looking for, because I am not sure anyone does right now -- but the answer you didn't ask for is this: spend every day looking for the little glimmers of awe and joy as she develops, take deep breaths during the hard moments, and trust that things will be okay even if your experience is not quite to the same as someone else's. Find mamas who may be in a similar situation as you when you are ready.
Thank you for your heart warming response...❤
Hello Dr my baby is 12months old ..he didn't crawl, and sit with support ...and rolling on the floor side to back..pls suggest some exercise...to achieve his milestones..
Hi Pragati, thank you so much for your comment. I'm not 100% sure I fully understand where your child is at. If a 12 month old is not yet crawling, sitting independently, or rolling then I would highly recommend reaching out to the child's pediatrician and a physiotherapist or physical therapist to have the best chance at independent movement and make sure there isn't anything else going on. As far as exercises to start with, a child who is not yet rolling or sitting independently will need to master those milestones ideally before they are able to transition to crawling. Please watch the videos in the rolling playlist here: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SHjgrAXqUkVXDgZ6Ox8lN6 and these two core strengthening exercises - ruclips.net/video/riyQjiSjNfM/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html that may be appropriate at this stage (again, I'm not sure I fully understand where your child is at, so I highly encourage having them see an expert in movement in your country -physiotherapist or physical therapist would be ideal). I hope this is helpful.
Thank you mam ❤️ for your valuable... Reply....
Hi my baby completed his 4months still he is not controlling his neck properly can u plz tell me neck strengthening excercises
Hi Lakshmi, Thank you so much for your comment. Head control can be tough and I'm glad you reached out. The biggest thing that helps head control is tummy time. Focusing on tummy time working up to 60 minutes per day total and spending as much time on the floor supervised will help your baby learn how to move the best. Tummy time can also be done on the knees or sitting on the couch as shown by my friend hope in her video here: ruclips.net/video/harmEY1bIS8/видео.html
Other great positions to work on include sidelying so that the babies hands are at midline and playing in the middle of their bodies. Using binkies or food as motivators to have the baby. look in different directions rotating to the right and left lying on their back, looking up, and also looking down.
If you continue to have concerns a physical therapist or physio would be the absolute right person you'd want to have evaluate your kiddo. It's my favorite to teach mamas how their babies is moving and how to empower them to help their babes move better and it's always best to have someone in person if you can! Good luck!
Hi same problem 😭
When i put my baby on floor he is moving his body very well but but he is noy moving head what is thr problem he is lying on side by himself.
Hi Bhavani, I’m so sorry that this season has so many unknowns and I’m so proud of you for searching for answers for your kiddo. When kiddos are lying on their side it’s not atypical for them to play more with their hands at midline and rest in a side lying position. If a kiddo is struggling to put weight through their elbows when on their belly make sure their elbows are tucked and under their shoulders. You can also bring their head above the level of their hips (on an incline) to make tummy time easier. I hope these tips help. Always bring up concerns with your physician and keep advocating for your babe.
Hi Lauren,
In love with your awesome personality..my baby boy is 8 and half month old, yet to sit unassisted..i believe he needs to develop core strength..he rolls back everytime when i try putting him in his tummy...anything that i can do to help him..
Steffi,
Thanks so much for the sweet compliment! I have a few favorite ways to work with babes to develop independent sitting skills, so hopefully some of these help. I always encourage mama's to reach out to PTs in their area as well because sometimes it's really nice to have someone teach you exactly how YOUR babe is moving and it doesn't always have to mean a full plan of care.
Exercises I love:
Bench sitting: having the babe sit on the edge of the couch with their feet elevated will put their hips in a different position. This requires the core to work a little harder and also doesn't allow babes to cheat by locking out their hips, which makes it a more fluid position (that requires more muscle contraction, which is a good thing). Doing this for 30" to 2 minutes at a time can help the kiddo build independent sitting confidence.
Pull to sit: if a kiddo is not yet pulling to sit with their hands and tucking their chin, support them behind the shoulders and then repeat from supine to sitting and then slowly lower them back toward the ground supporting behind the shoulders so they can also work on the opposite direction.
Side sitting: This is a good picture of side sitting. This is one of my favorite ways to help support kiddos build hip strength I always make sure to support the hip on both sides. www.fundamentalspt.com/blog/side-sitting
Hopefully these ideas help, but truthfully reaching out to a PT is a great way to feel confident that you're supporting your babe in the best way possible. Being proactive is huge as a mama and you're absolutely doing the best thing!
@@DrLaurenBaker thsnks a ton Lauren..i will definitely seek PT help as well...your help with suggesting these exercises means a lot...sending lots of love and hugs💕💕
Absolutely! Sharing resources is one of my absolute favorite things! Good luck Steffi!
Thnx useful video
My baby 5mnth no neck control. Mri normal
Hi Skin Mantra by dr. dubey,
Thanks so much for your comment, I love that you're being proactive in trying to find answers to help your babe get stronger. Your provider (doctor or physical therapist/physiotherapist) will be the absolute best to help you navigate this time and allow for individualized care for your baby to meet their needs. That being said, there are a few general recommendations that all parents can utilize for babies working on head control. A few tips include:
1. Work on tummy time in alternate positions working up to a total of 60 minutes per day. A few tips for tummy time: tuck their elbows in and place them slightly in front of their shoulders, lift their trunk above their hips (their head / shoulders should be elevated resting on an elevated surface like a bopee or your chest while you sit on an incline).
2. Playing on their side supervised is a great head/neck strengthening exercise but is not quite as demanding as tummy time.
3. Help babies bring their feet to mouth or hands to mouth to explore.
Check out the tummy time playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SnonvLqKF7xKHvF66wVp3-
or head control playlist for more ideas: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RfTXFcYxTIrtN85Cmlwbp6
Good luck and please let me know if you have any questions! Lauren
Hallo dr my baby has neck holding problem can you tell me that neck supporting coller will help or not???
Hi Yousra, thanks so much for the comment. Typically, exercise especially working up to 60 minutes per day in tummy time will be the most effective. There are specific situations where other devices are utilized for head control depending on the kiddo but I would find a physical therapist, physiotherpist or doctor to evaluate your child prior to purchasing any external device. Depending on age, exercise and physical therapy would be the most effective and likely safest route for a kiddo struggling with head control. I have not ever recommended neck supporting collars to the kiddos I work with. Please check out the tummy time playlist for some ideas and comment back if you would like more exercise options. Lauren
My son is 1 year old but he can't sit or croll,please give me a advice,I am from sri lanka
Hi Danush,
Thank you so much for your comment. This is a good video to start with if your kiddo is struggling with head control. Typical progression of movements includes: head control, tolerating tummy time for 60 minutes/day, sitting supported, sitting unsupported, getting into all fours (quadruped), rocking in all fours, crawling, pulling to stand, and then walking. At a year, I would absolutely recommend speaking with your child's doctor to see if there are any options to have the child see a physiotherapist for an individualized treatment plan. In the meantime, I will share a few other activities that may help your kiddo continue to build strength.
Working on Head Control: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RfTXFcYxTIrtN85Cmlwbp6
Working on developing core strength: ruclips.net/video/DxM_m-pUlo4/видео.html (specifically the supported sitting video and tummy time videos).
Good luck, there are a few other resources that I've put in the comments of various videos that may help as well, so definitely check out the comments section of any video in the pediatric playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SJisMo0x9cy4scdg6BJyrQ
My daughter is ten month but can’t hold her neck can’t sit
Hi Hossai, thank you so much for your comment. At 10 months, I would aboslutely recommend having your daughter see a pediatric physical therapist or physiotherapist in your area. If that is not possible, you can schedule an online parent consultation via the link in the pinned comment. In the meantime, I would highly recommend watching all the videos in the learning to sit playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RLo0bW2r3jWr--nNDXIyHs
AND the learning to roll playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SHjgrAXqUkVXDgZ6Ox8lN6
The way we develop as babies is a building block style of learning, so the motions that were a milestone before need to be mastered before we can move on. I would also focus on working on 60 minutes of tummy time - ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SnonvLqKF7xKHvF66wVp3- becuase that is one of the best ways to build neck strength for babies.
Hi. My baby is 7 months and can’t hold her head well. She can hold it and move it going forward but flops going backwards. She does have prader willi a genetic disorder and i would like to know how i can help her with the floppyness. She does do pt but he hasn’t come up with ideas to help with her floppyness
Hi Jazmin, I’m so glad that your kiddo is in PT and that you’re being such a proactive parent. When a kiddo has difficulty with holding their head against gravity, we’re looking at the strength of the neck of the muscles on the front (which would be weak if the head went backwards and the chin didn’t tuck when being pulled to sit) as well as the neck muscles on the back (can the baby hold their head up while in tummy time and push through the elbows).
For babies working on head control I encourage working up to 60 minutes of tummy time per day (in different positions: floor, elevated shoulders above hips like on a bopee or on your knees), playing on their back with their hips elevated so they can grab their feet, as well as playing on both sides.
If a kiddo struggles with head control they may also struggle with rolling, which is a milestone that builds on head control. I will share a few video ideas but tummy time up to 60 minutes, playing on the floor, limiting any containers (objects you place a baby in) for 10-15 min at a time and less than 2 hours per day, and playing in side lying are great ways to improve head control. Due to her diagnosis and any other conditions she may have, progress can be varied and I would talk specifically with your PT on the progress they see with her so you can know where she’s at and how far she’s likely already come.
Jazmin, here are a few ideas if you haven’t seen this playlist yet: Head Control
ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03RfTXFcYxTIrtN85Cmlwbp6
Additionally, working towards rolling if your baby is ready (talk to your PT specifically please) can help with continuing to strength the head and neck: Learning to Roll
ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03SHjgrAXqUkVXDgZ6Ox8lN6
Hi Jazmin, I'm not sure if you're past this stage yet but if you're still working on head control, this new video might help even more: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
@@DrLaurenBaker thank you for getting back to me. Sorry I didn’t see your replies sooner
Hi doc. My baby is 2.5mos and still struggling to put head up.. should i be worried?
Hi Nowie,
At 2.5 months the best thing a parent can do to increase head control is to work up to 60 total minutes in tummy time per day. This can be in many different positions (check out the tummy time playlist for some ideas). At 3 months, a parent can start the pull to sit exercises but likely will need to support behind the shoulder. Here is a newer video that shows that technique: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
Unless there are other things going on, not having full head control at 2.5 months is not uncommon. However, if you have questions on your little specifically I always encourage parents to bring it up with their pediatrician and have a consultation either in person or online with a physical therapist (my link is in the pinned comment if you have more questions!). Good luck, Lauren
Thank u it was a big help for may baby shes 1 year old still cant sit on her own :( hope you could help me please. Thank u
Charmy, Thank you so much for your comment. Depending on where you are, I would absolutely recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician and seeing if you can get a Physical Therapy Evaluation. If that is not possible in your location, please make sure you subscribe as I am adding more videos this month in the pediatric space. Each child develops at their own pace, but I would absolutely recommend reaching out to medical professionals if possible. Sending lots of love, lauren.
Hi there. My baby just turned 12 weeks today. I tested pull to sit with her last night and saw that she has a severe head lag. She was diagnosed with BESSI (benign enlargement of the subarachnoid space), so she does have a big head. She's able to bring hands to midline and mouth her hands. Reaches for beads in side lying, good visual tracking. Do you think that her head lag is due to her large head? Should I get a PT referral from pediatrician? I'm an OT but have never worked with little babies, and my anxiety is through the roof. Just browsing YT for neck flexion exercises and stumbled upon your video (which is very informative-thanks!)
Hi KillerShoe ;) thanks for the comment. I honestly think any mamas who want to learn more about how their babies move should seek to find a physical therapist for at least an evaluation or a wellness check (some PTs are doing this now). Especially since your babe does have a medical diagnosis, three months is a great place to be proactive especially since head control is really the first step to all the other milestones. That being said, it's not uncommon for babies to not have full head control with a pull to sit. I did not demonstrate it in this specific video (I have an updated one coming soon!) but placing your hands behind their shoulders and doing a baby sit up with shoulder support from an incline like a boppy and then transitioning to floor are really great ways to continue to build that head control. All the play positions you're already are doing are great especially sidelying. I think for your personal well being talking to a peds PT in person about milestones and since your kiddo has a medical diagnosis to have them see her in person would be super helpful for you in the next few months. Good luck and if you have any specific questions, I am available for parent consults link in pinned comment (I still think for your babe since there is an underlying condition that a PT in person is the best place to start!). Lauren
@@DrLaurenBaker Thank you for your quick response! I'll contact her pediatrician for referral.
Yay for being a proactive mama!! 🙌🙌🙌 so proud of you.
My other question in the meantime is how long is she able to tolerate tummy time? At 3 months the gold standard is to work up to 60 min per day in tummy time or modified tummy time (shoulders/head above hips like elevated on a wedge or boppy or on your knees - check out the tummy time playlist on my channel and specifically the one from my friend hope with the newborn - still positions that’d be great for 3mo olds). It’s okay to start at 2-5 min and go to a baby’s tolerance but you def want to be conscious on length of time they are able to tolerate, in what position, and how long total per day.
Keep me updated if you want, I love hearing about the mamas and babies who find this channel and their progress ❤️❤️ Lauren
@@DrLaurenBaker hey! So I've been working with her all weekend, and she's now able to do the pull to sit with minimal head lag. I guess something clicked for her and she is doing it now haha! She does very well with tummy time. I'm not a fan of containers, so she spends nearly all of her awake time playing on the floor (when she's not being held), and I make sure some of that time is spent on her tummy. I think part of the problem is my post partum anxiety and fixating on anything I think she's behind on. It doesn't help that I worked as a peds OT for 5 years lol. Thanks so much for your input.
absolutely! Mama life has so many moving pieces and each kiddo does develop at their own pace -- but you are ONE amazing, proactive mama who is putting in the time to be educated and that is what matters. Your daughter is lucky to have you. PS one of my favorite anxiety/calming techniques is two hands on the heart with deep pressure and deep breathes, it stimulates the vagus nerve and has worked so well for me and I hope it helps you too. Never be afraid to know that you're worthy of rest & a still moment too, mama
Hi mam, my baby is 4 month and 9 days. She us able to roll over but still have a head lag. I am worried . Please let me know if I can follow this exerci? Also She is born at 37 week 4 days is this premature?
Hi Poornima, yay for rolling over! that is such a fun milestone to achieve (& hard!). Head lag is something I would want to continue working on -- you can do this exercise, but if there is head lag, please support behind the shoulders until that is resolved (new video using this modification coming soon!). Also make sure to check out the head control playlist for other exercises to try. If you have a physical therapist or physiotherapist in your area, I do always encourage parents to reach out with any concerns because it's so nice for someone to explain exactly how your child is moving and to help you reach that next stage. Good luck!
Hi Poornima, this new video might help a little more for your sweetl little one: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
Hi Poornima
Did your baby’s head lag improved ?
Shefali, so sweet of you to ask Poornima, I'm hoping it did as well. If you have any questions on improving head control please let me know. The key is definitely tummy time mixed with making sure a baby's trunk, neck, and shoulder muscles are all working together and not weak/tight to make sure tummy time is tolerable. Happy to chat more if you know someone struggling with helping a babe develop neck strength.
Pls reply mam .I have a same problem 😭
Hey, thanks for the video, its great. I will start with this exercise from tomorrow. My girl is 2,5 months old and can’t lift her head yet. She could only do it when im holding her and my hands are on her tummy and chest for support. She does it for a few seconds only. When i put her on the mat, laying on her belly she does it once or twice for a second. I tried placing baby pillow under her chest, it doesn’t help either. Im really trying my best, different positions 20-30
Mins a day but nothing helps. I found out about tummy time when she was 2-3 weeks old so maybe its my fault she is having troubles gaining muscle tone. Is it too late and should i contact a doctor, or can we still try at home for sometime? Thanks
Hi So So! At 2.5 months babies will continue to develop head control and it’s not fully expected for them to have full head control until 3+ months but every baby is different. I always recommend bringing up concerns with your child’s doctor and seeing a physiotherapist or physical therapist (same just different names depending on location/country) if you have specific questions on how your baby is presenting. A few tips include placing her elbows in front of her shoulders and having her chest higher than her legs on an incline. This can happen if you have a stability or exercise ball or on your chest if your head is higher than your belly and she is on your chest.
I would absolutely ask your doctor what their thoughts are but it’s also equally important to keep working on exercises. The other great options are to play in side lying and on her back. Tummy time is great and recommended time total per day is 60 minutes (but working up to that is fine!). Also avoid any baby containers for longer than 15” per episode and less than 2 hour per day (floor play is the best play). Please let me know if you have any questions.
Clarification: 15 minutes not seconds :)
@@DrLaurenBaker thank u so much 💖
@Özlem Pınarcıoğlu we made some progress, shes 3 months 12 days today.
So So, I'm so glad to hear your baby is making progress! Keep working on tummy time for up to 60 minutes in different positions (head higher than pelvis on an incline, flat, or on a stability ball are all great options!). At 3 months, playing on their side (alternating) is also a great option because it allows their hands to get to midline and works on looking down at hands which is activating the neck muscles.
Ozlem, sending lots of love and if you have a specific question or position you're working on with your kiddo let me know and if I don't have a video that covers it I'll make sure to find one for you!
Sending lots of strong baby vibes!
Lauren
My baby 5 month old by doing this pull to sit sometimes her head lag and sometime her head come steadily
Is there any concern
Hi Sugi! Thank you so much for the comment. The gold standard is to not have a head lag by 3 months, it's a really good sign when a baby doesn't have a head lag. There could be many reasons for a head lag occuring including not yet ready for the pulling motion through the arms. Try to support her behind her shoulders when you work on this exercise so that she can focus on using her abdominals and take out the arm component. That might give you a more accurate understanding of where her head control is at. Head control exercises that are really helpful include tummy time for a total of 60 minutes per day (focusing on 10-15 minutes per activity), sidelying activities, and lying on the back while reaching overhead or playing with hands at midline. At 5 months, I would also be working on rolling activities including rolling from back to sidelying as well as helping a baby move from her back to her belly in order to get into tummy time. Check out the head control, tummy time, and rolling playlists for more exercise ideas. If you have any concerns at any time, I always encourage my parents to reach out to a physiotherapist or physical therapist as they are the experts you would want to learn how your baby is moving from. Good luck! Lauren
Hi Sugi, if you're still working on head control with your little, this newer video might help even more: ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
Can these be done on a newborn?
Hi Katie! I would focus on tummy time for a newborn and playing on their side to bring their hands together. Pull to sit is an activity to concentrate on at around 3 months of age.
Other good things to note for newborns is paying attention to whether they're tilting their head to one side more frequently and/or rotating to one side vs the other. Both of those are risk factors for Torticollis and Plagiocephaly (flattening on the skull) and should also be on your kiddos pediatrician's radar. If you do notice any of those signs, please know that Physical Therapists/Physiotherapists are trained to help decrease those risks from 2 weeks on. You can always email me info@drlaurenbaker.com if you have any specific questions and I can point you in a good direction toward healthcare providers in your area or resources that might help!
Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it! Lauren
Useful information
Thank you Shalom! I would love any requests or ideas you think would make great videos, especially since you're a Physio too. Where are you located? I love that youtube is international and can help connect & share information across the world. Lauren
@@DrLaurenBaker Sure.Thank you Mam. I am practicing in Tiruvannamalai,India.
You’re so welcome! What population or setting are you practicing in?
@@DrLaurenBaker I'm practicing from 2003 onwards and in my place around more than 5k population.
Thank you very much for your kind concern doctor..
Shalom, quick question: is Pediatric Physical Therapy documentation a subject that people in your area are looking for more information on? I had a few Physiotherapists from India reach out about my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Pediatric Physical Therapy Documentation to let them know when it was available on Amazon and Kindle so they could check it out and wanted to make sure I asked you as well! Drop me a comment & I'll post the link if it's something you'd like to check out.
My pediatrician did to my baby the pull to sit , she is only 9 days old. I was so shocked. I was afraid for her neck. Is this normal to do for a week old baby?
Virginia85, thank you so much for your comment. Typically pull to sit is done around 3 months of age to test for head lag (head extension when bringing the baby against gravity). Pediatricians do test for different reflexes that may be present at birth, however, I’m not sure exactly why your pediatrician chose that movement exactly. That being said, never be afraid to speak up and ask questions if something concerns you. You can even ask at your next appointment. Personally, I don’t use pull to sit until 3 months but may try earlier if the babies head control is above average; however, still in the 2 month range. Always know you can also request a different pediatrician if your current provider doesn’t take the time to explain what they’re doing and why - or if you simply don’t feel it’s a good fit. Good luck!
Why with a doll? Aren't you working with babies or you know well just the theory ?
Hi Olga! I don’t personally have any kiddos of my own so it’s easiest for me to explain things with “baby Eric,” there are a lot of great channels that do use kiddos but there are also a lot of legal concerns that go along with that as well. I do see babies in their homes but from a filming standpoint it has not yet been feasible for me to bring kiddos to my house, have good lighting, set up the camera and audio - a lot goes into filming that people don’t always consider. That being said, it is something I am looking into for the future and thank you for expressing how helpful it would be for you to have.
Olga, I'm super excited to share I found a mama and baby who were willing to let me film :) if you are looking for more videos perhaps this one will help -- ruclips.net/video/XQ3iEqwvoFQ/видео.html I will also have a new pull to sit video coming out soon with an actual live human infant too :) thanks for the comment to motivate me to keep asking mamas if they'd be willing to help!
Any vidio for core strength
Hi Asifa!
For babies, lots of positions develop core strength which is fantastic! Here are a few I have uploaded (more coming soon! editing takes so long!)
Here is my current core strength playlist with five videos: ruclips.net/p/PLxYt0JBWx03ROwOFIWmeNBWfoGHUcsGYE
A Few great PTs to follow on instagram for exercise ideas:
KinActive Kids: instagram.com/kinactive_kids/
Mommy and Me PT: instagram.com/mommyandme.pt/
My good friend Hope who is also a PT has a few movement based online courses that are linked in the description (tummy time 101 and a 6-15 month old movement course that covers sitting, crawling, pulling to stand, and walking milestones) which you can find at her website www.movingmunchkins.com/ use code drlaurenbaker for $5 off the moving munchkins 6mo-15mo course.
Omg I thought the doll was a live baby until i realized it's a doll. Sorry, it looks creepy. Maybe its me?
Hahaha Nora, it’s a very expensive baby doll that I conned my mom into buying when I was little because my cousin had one and I was obsessed with how real it is. It helped demo concepts before I had parents who would agree to have their babes filmed (I don’t have kiddos myself so you do what you gotta to get the content out right?!). I totally get that it would be creepy especially if it’s not-aliveness was a surprise! Check out this updated one for a real babe :) ruclips.net/video/PGz60Z93f8w/видео.html
@@DrLaurenBaker I understand,of coarse🙂 Growing up ,I loved barbie dolls,couldn't have enough. Baby dolls ,with the bonnets and pacifiers were creepy to me. The creepiest of them all?? The porcelain dolls,with the gone with the wind dresses,baby faces yet adult red lipstick. My husband does home renovations so I'm in his truck when he receives a call from one of his worker's about a situation they were having at the house his crew were working on. We go out there and as we're pulling up to the house,I see the most prettiest house,with the perfect lawn, a gazeebo, and a man made lake on her property. Absolutely beautiful. I sat in the truck to wait for my husband when she opens the door and waves for me to come inside. She didn't want i wait in the truck. I go in the kitchen area while she and my husband are going over her kitchen's this that and the other renovation. She didn't want i breath in all the dust in the kitchen so she leads me to her livingroom. Oh my gosh,what the??? She had all sizes of porcelain dolls,with petticoats,lace and velvet dresses,blonds and brunettes, dresses in every color under the suns were displayed EVERYWHERE! I'm like,oh how beautiful your dolls are. Then, she leads to other rooms to show more😁She had her most valuable one's in glass shelves in lock and key,omgosh! She had dolls from her trips to Europe,dolls from antique places she purchased,dolls from dead People lol She had names for each of her dolls 😂When she said the dolls are like her children? Check please! 🥺☺
Anyway,my sister inlaw gave birth to her first newborn. She's just about 2 month's old,but my sister inlaw is nervous when it comes to how to properly hold her baby's head. I searched on RUclips and your video was the one that caught my eye. Btw,I shared your video sent to her. She'll probably read the comments and see how i went on a tangent about dolls ,totally irrelevant to the subject. Sorry about that 🙂 Have a great weekend, and much luck to you❤💖
Hahaha that’s hilarious, make sure to have her check out the tummy time playlist I have a really great video by my PT bestie Hope on there showing different tummy time ideas for newborns and up and I think that will help her a ton too!