Why do babies need PT?!
Whenever I meet new friends, the most common obligatory question (“So, what do you do?”) requires a lot of explanation. My response (“I’m a neonatal physical therapist—I work with babies!) is nearly always followed by a dropped jaw (“Whaaaaaat?! Why do babies need PT?!”).
Well, new friend, I’m glad you asked—Let me tell you all about baby PT (or in my world, bebePT)!
Neonatal (newborn) physical therapy, and all pediatric physical therapy in general, is aimed at—you guessed it—HELPING BABIES! My blog, bebePT, is all about working with babies and their families to help each baby reach their fullest developmental potential.
PTs use their expertise in evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention to come up with a plan to encourage movement, development, exploration, and learning in babies. We also work hard to promote overall health, inclusion, and accessibility for each baby and family. PT for babies takes place in a variety of places, including the hospital, at home, in a clinic, at daycare, or at school.
No matter what the setting, no matter what the task, no matter what the goal, baby PT should always look like PLAY. Play is the language babies understand and respond to best!
PLAY PLAY PLAY! (His smile says it all!)
PT in the hospital
My current role is in the hospital setting. I work at Seattle Children’s Hospital on the infant team. I see babies in the NICU, cardiac ICU, cancer care unit, surgical unit, pulmonary floor…basically wherever there is a baby in need in the hospital, I work with them.
In this case, most of the babies are getting PT in response to an injury/condition/illness that may have an impact on their development. They are getting care to treat a medical condition, but meanwhile, we must remember that there is a growing little human in there! This is where I come in.
I help babies interact with their environment, organize their movements, and explore their teeny tiny bodies. I facilitate development of head control. We work on movement patterns. We stretch tight muscles and strengthen weaker ones. I make splints and positioning supports, as well as equipment recommendations, to help protect their small bodies, support their posture and comfort, and help them engage with their surroundings. In the future, I’m going to talk about how you can use all of this to help your baby, too.
Basically, my role is to support infants and advocate for families to help their babies do “baby things”. To sleep, eat, move, snuggle, interact, tolerate care activities, and grow. Neonatal PTs help lay the groundwork for a baby’s future health and development.
We work on how to handle the baby with care based on his or her own unique needs. We teach parents how to speak a baby’s language (more on infant stress signs later!) and respond to their communication cues. Babies have a lot to tell us if only we know how to listen.
My goal is to see families delight in their baby’s strength and be empowered to help support them through their challenges. Family-centered care is the best kind of care.
COVID has changed how I work—more on this to come!
PT in the community
Before working at the hospital, I worked for a non-profit in Seattle that provides services to infants, toddlers, and their families in the community. I went into homes, daycares and preschools, and supported baby development and family units right where it all happens—such an honor and treat!
PT in this setting looks different: these babies are at home and generally medically stable. A typical day might start on baby A’s living room floor, working on motor skills (such as rolling, sitting, and walking). I’d then head to the park to help baby B navigate the playground with his new wheelchair. I’d finish up at the daycare of baby C, helping her wobbly walking skills in the midst of pure toddler chaos! Seeing where a baby lives and plays allowed me to adapt my intervention to their needs.
I love to get down on the floor and wiggle and play!
PT in the clinic
My first job out of graduate school was in an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic. I worked with kids ages 0-18 with all sorts of diagnoses, injuries, and conditions. I loved working with young athletes to overcome injuries, helping little toddlers learn to climb the stairs, and fitting kids with cerebral palsy for standers. It was a joy making casts/orthotics to support joint development and using yoga to facilitate movement in kids with autism…the list of opportunities for PTs to help babies and kids is endless!
Interested in finding a clinic near you? A quick Google search can help, or ask your pediatrician for a list of local pediatric PT clinics.
Does my baby need PT?
I’ve had several people ask me, “so do ALL babies need PT?” And while my healthcare provider self says “YES! LET ME HELP ALL THE BEBES!”, there are certain things that warrant a PT referral. Talk to your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you have concerns about your baby's development.
Common reasons for PT referrals include not meeting motor milestones (such as delayed rolling, sitting or walking), abnormal postures or movements, or difficulty with tolerating daily cares (such as diaper changes, feeding, and sleeping). If your baby has a known medical condition or diagnosis, PT is often an important part of your baby’s healthcare plan.
According to pathways.org (a GREAT resource about development, by the way) over 600,000 babies in the US are born at risk for developmental delays, but only 50% are identified early. We know that early intervention results in the best outcomes for babies, so don’t be afraid to be persistent if you feel something is wrong. YOU know your baby best, so ask questions, seek answers and reach out to trusted professionals to set your baby up for success!
I think my baby needs PT--now what?
PT is often covered by insurance, but be sure to look into the specifics of your insurance plan, as it varies greatly. You should also know that there is legislation in place to ensure babies get access to the care they need.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes provisions for pediatric physical therapy for children from birth to 21 years of age who are eligible for early intervention or special education and related services. There are also early intervention agencies across the country that provide services and resources to children ages 0-3 years with developmental concerns, delays, or disabilities. What this means is that if your baby needs PT, your baby can get PT, one way or another!
How else can I help my baby?
While all babies might not need PT, it is true that ALL babies benefit from developmentally-supportive opportunities. Babies learn and grow from their environment, so it’s up to us as caregivers to set them up to thrive!
Parents can help babies through protecting their sleep, responding to their communication cues, encouraging them to move and explore their little bodies, and ensuring their environment is safe, supportive and appropriately stimulating. Play, snuggle, and sleep! More on these topics to come!
Gimme all the bebe snuggles! Good for baby’s health, and MINE! :)
TL;DR
Baby PT comes in lots of different forms depending on the setting and needs of the baby
PT can help babies grow, move, develop and learn.
Families are central to ensuring babies’ success with PT and ongoing health and development
Early intervention is crucial--be persistent and get answers
Know your rights and how to access care and therapy if you need it
All babies need developmentally supportive care, opportunities and stimulation! Play, snuggle, and sleep are three keys to success!