Developmental Delay
Some children are much slower or are not progressing normally in reaching gross motor milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking. In many cases there is no identifiable reason for this delay, but the parent or the doctor is concerned about the child not keeping up with their peers in their gross motor skill development.
What can be done to help?
Physical therapy can help children reach gross motor milestones. Physical therapists work with infants and young children to strengthen weak muscles, introduce new positions, and facilitate new movement patterns. Physical therapists can also teach parents how to position their children and play with them at home to strengthen and encourage exploration of new movement patterns.
Tummy Time is very important!
One very important position for infants is lying on their tummies. Frequent periods of tummy time throughout the day while they are awake and supervised can help prevent developmental delay by strengthening the neck and shoulder girdle muscles, which is important for head control and for rolling and crawling. It may be calming for some infants, and it prevents flattening of the head.
References:
Jennings, J. Sarbaugh, B. and Payne, N. (2005) Conveying the Message about Optimal Infant Positions. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 25(3): 3-18.
Graham, J. (2006) Tummy Time is Important. Clinical Pediatrics, 45: 119-121.