When to visit a physiotherapist with an infant?

The first year of life is an extremely important period in the life of a child. During this time a baby develops intensively not only physically, but also mentally and psychologically. With every day, week or month he gains new skills. It grows intensively to triple its birth weight around its first birthday.

Especially during this first period of life, it is a worthwhile idea to consult with a physiotherapist from Paley European Institute – a specialist in early intervention with newborns and infants – and to check your baby’s motor development.

Why is it important to visit a physiotherapist with your baby? How does the visit go?

Consultation with a physiotherapist enables quick detection of abnormalities in the child’s development and early intervention. Stimulation of abnormal functions allows to stop the progress of many dysfunctions and prevents the aggravation of developmental difficulties. This allows the child to achieve the best possible psychomotor development.

During the visit, PEI physiotherapist conducts a medical interview with parents and examines the child – checks the quantity and quality of presented movement patterns. On this basis, he/she assesses at what stage of development the infant is and whether it is within the norm. Parents are also instructed in the proper care of the baby – proper lifting, changing, turning, putting down – and in supporting the infant’s development according to its needs. If abnormalities are identified, the PEI physiotherapist designs a therapeutic plan. Parents have the opportunity to address any concerns and get answers to their questions about their child’s development.

A consultation with an infant physiotherapist enables:

1. conducting an assessment of infant development,
2. address any concerns you may have and get answers to your questions about your child’s development,
3. rapid detection of abnormalities in child development and initiation of early intervention.

What things should concern parents about their child’s development?

Signals to see a physical therapist should be:

1. trunk and head asymmetry,
2. large bending of the body or head backward,
3. strong aversion to or lack of support in the stomach position,
4. clenched fingers or toes,
5. the child’s failure to achieve more skills,
6. the child’s failure to make eye contact and lack of interest in parents and/or toys.

How does a physical therapist conduct therapy with a child?

PEI physiotherapist selects the pace and type of exercises individually to the child, taking care of the child’s comfort and safety. She/He activates the infant by eliciting appropriate movement, desired reactions and whole body work in the child, which brings therapeutic results.

What conditions must early intervention with infants meet to be effective?

The most important thing is to start the therapeutic actions as early as possible and continue them uninterrupted, according to the plan agreed with the physiotherapist.

The Paley European Institute has a team of professionals who, depending on the individual needs of the child, provide assistance to him and his parents in a coordinated and comprehensive way.