Little Explorers Therapy

18/12/2025

‼️🚨This is why the question isn’t “When should my baby sit?” but “What does my baby’s body need before sitting?”

🔔Before independent sitting shows up, babies need:
• head control that doesn’t collapse
• a trunk that can activate without stiffening
• weight shifting through the hips
• time in the floor positions that build transitions

😱And here’s where the skepticism comes in—
People hear “don’t practice sitting” and assume it means never support your baby. That’s not true.

🔑Supported sitting done intentionally through side sitting, lap sitting, or dynamic support is very different from placing a baby upright before their system is ready.

When sitting emerges from the ground up, it doesn’t just look better:

it supports crawling, standing, and walking later on.
✨ Milestones don’t need rushing. They need the right foundation.

12/12/2025

Because while it looks like play, that session was full of hard work:
core activation, transitions, crawling prep, and so much nervous system input.

❤️Babies don’t say, ‘Wow that was challenging,’
they just sleep.
Deep. Hard. Earned sleep.

They remind me that the work matters.
That movement, connection, and intentional play are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do.

And yes…therapy should feel like play.
But play done with purpose 💪👶
Grateful for parents who trust me with their babies and celebrate the small (but powerful) wins 🤍

12/12/2025

Hitch Crawling vs. Typical Crawling — What It Really Means for Your Baby

😆Typical crawling uses:
🔑Both hands + both knees
🔑Reciprocal movement (right hand → left knee)
🔑Strong core + shoulder stability
🔑Trunk rotation
🔑This pattern builds the foundation for later skills like walking, running, climbing, writing, and even reading (yes — crawling is deeply tied to body–brain integration).

😭Hitch crawling, on the other hand, is when a baby:
🙈Bears weight on one knee
🙈Uses the other foot to push forward
🙈Shows a noticeable asymmetry
🙈Often skips the natural cross-lateral

⚠️but it can be a sign of:
❕Core or hip weakness
❕Asymmetrical weight-bearing
❕Decreased rotation
❕Avoidance of load through one side
❕Or simply relying on an easier strategy because the reciprocal pattern is harder.

⁉️If you’re noticing hitch crawling, don’t wait 🔑 early tweaks make a big difference. Send me a message and let’s look at your baby’s pattern together.

12/12/2025

Yes: assisted sitting can be safe for a 5-month-old, as long as it’s done appropriately and with the right developmental goals in mind.

✅ When it’s appropriate at 5 months
At this age, babies are typically:

💗Showing improving head control
💗Beginning to use their hands more intentionally
💗Wanting to look around and explore upright positions
💗If those pieces are present, supported sitting is not only safe but developmentally helpful.

✅ What “assisted sitting” should look like
💗To protect the spine, hips, and emerging postural control:
💗Use your hands high on the trunk (ribs/upper torso) for proximal support.
💗Keep sessions short (1–3 minutes at a time, multiple times a day).
💗Let baby work, but don’t let them collapse or slump forward.
💗Switch between positions: side-lying, tummy time, supported sitting, and supported standing.

🔑Supported sitting isn’t about forcing a milestone early it’s about giving the baby just enough help to activate the right muscles: trunk, obliques, neck flexors, visual tracking, and hand-to-midline skills.

❣️‼️⚠️If you’re worried your baby is skipping steps, click the link in my bio to schedule an evaluation.

08/12/2025

“The baby we started with in 2025 vs. the baby we ended up with in 2025.”

The glow-up you can’t always see in pictures… but you can feel in every milestone.

🥹At the start of the year, this little one came in with a head tilt, a strong side preference, and a body that hadn’t quite learned how to move symmetrically yet.

‼️That’s what torticollis does quietly shapes how a baby sees, moves, reaches, rolls, and explores their world.

🥹But look at her now.
A baby who orients to both sides.
A baby who rolls with confidence.
A baby who uses their whole body instead of relying on one side.

🚨And here’s the part nobody talks about:
Torticollis doesn’t just “go away.” Babies grow out of clothes not neck tightness.

It improves because parents learn what to do, consistency kicks in, and their motor system gets the right input early.
A baby whose development finally feels easy again.

🔑This is why wellness visits in pediatric PT matter so much.
They’re not just for delays — they’re for prevention.

👉 Not sure if your baby’s head tilt or preferences are normal?
📩Send me a message a quick wellness check can make a huge difference.

08/12/2025

Most people see a cute moment a kid “flying” on a swing, giggling, arms wide.

But here’s what nobody really talks about:

When your child swings, spins, hangs, or “flies,” their inner ear is sending rapid messages that help:
🧠 organize their attention
🦶 improve postural control
🤸‍♂️ coordinate both sides of the body
🌪 regulate emotions and energy
⚡ build confidence in movement

Play is medicine.
Movement is learning.
And the vestibular system is the quiet superstar nobody talks about but every child depends on.

💬 Does your child crave swinging, spinning, or jumping all day?

📩Comment “YES” you’re not alone, and an OT can help decode these behaviors.

05/12/2025

🥣 Not Just Picky Eating: Why OT Feeding Support Matters

Feeding isn’t just about eating: it’s a complex blend of sensory processing, motor skills, posture, coordination, and emotional regulation.

😱So when a child struggles at mealtimes, it’s rarely because they’re “just being picky.” Often, their body is working twice as hard to manage things we don’t even notice.

✨ What OT Looks at During Feeding:
1️⃣ Sensory Processing
Some kids find certain textures, smells, or temperatures overwhelming. Their nervous system may interpret foods as too sticky, too wet, too crunchy, or too unpredictable, leading to avoidance.

2️⃣ Oral-Motor Skills
Chewing, moving food side to side, coordinating lips/tongue/jaw, and safely swallowing—these are learned skills. If these aren’t strong, mealtimes can feel scary or tiring.

3️⃣ Postural Stability
Kids need a stable base to eat well. Poor trunk control, slouching, or weak core strength can make it harder to chew and coordinate movements.

4️⃣ Self-Feeding Skills
Using utensils, scooping, bringing food to the mouth, or managing messy play are all developmental steps that an OT can support.

5️⃣ Mealtime Behaviors
What looks like “defiance” is often the child’s attempt to cope with something difficult—overwhelm, fatigue, or uncertainty.

✨ How OT Helps
✅An OT identifies the root cause and builds a feeding plan that respects the child’s sensory needs and supports their motor skills.

This might include:
Gradual exposure to textures
Oral-motor strengthening
Sensory desensitization through play
Postural adjustments
Safe, positive mealtime routines

😇Save this post and reach out if you want guidance on signs your child may benefit from OT feeding support.

05/12/2025

🦶✨ Prep to Consider During Gait Training for Kids with CP (NDT-Based Approach)

Before we even take that first step in gait training, the real magic happens in the prep work. With an NDT lens, walking isn’t just about legs it’s about the whole system working together: 🤩postural control, alignment, sensory input, and motor planning.

1️⃣ Establish Proximal Stability First

✅Core activation in sitting or tall-kneeling
✅Rotational play for trunk dissociation
✅Weight-bearing through the arms for chest expansion and postural readiness

2️⃣ Facilitate Key Points of Control
NDT emphasizes guiding movement from the most effective contact points. For gait prep, this may include:

✅Pelvis for weight shifting and initiating swing
✅Lower ribs/trunk for upright posture and balance
✅Lateral border of the foot or heel for proper alignment and sensory input

3️⃣ Wake Up the Sensory System
Kids with CP benefit from clear sensory information before stepping:

✅Foot loading activities (heel taps, lateral foot border pressure, standing weight shifts)
✅Joint compression to improve proprioception
✅Ankle/foot mobilizations to help organize movement patterns

🔑Think “activate, align, then move.”

✨ Why This Matters
For children with CP, gait training is not about “forcing steps.” It’s about creating the right environment in their body: stable, organized, and ready to move with better alignment and control.

❓🙋‍♀️If you’re wondering whether your child is ready for gait training or needs a tailored plan, send me a message, We’d love to help guide you.

04/12/2025

My PT husband swore he didn’t need a ride after his dental procedure… but the moment he sat down, his first words were:
‘The roller coaster ride was fun.’ 🥹😂

One thing about being married to a PT — they’ll always overestimate their balance and underestimate anesthesia.

Good thing he’s got me to buckle him in and keep him safe, just like we do with our little ones. 💛💫

02/12/2025

‼️🚨When I first came across the baby neck floater, I had such mixed feelings. As a mom, I instantly thought,

“Oh how cute my baby would love this!” But as a pediatric PT, a different part of my brain kicked in. I needed to look at the whole picture, not just the moment of fun.

😅And while I DID end up using it with my own child with very close, hands-on supervision, I also want to be honest about the potential risks and negative effects because parents deserve the full truth.

✨ The Benefits (when used safely)
Yes, babies get:
😅360° movement in warm water
😅Opportunities for spontaneous kicking and trunk activation
😅Sensory input that can be calming and regulating
bonding moments with their caregiver

⁉️⚠️But…

⚠️ Potential Negative Effects Parents Should Know
Using a neck floater is not automatically safe, and it’s definitely not for every baby. These are the concerns I consider as a PT:

1. Neck strain & poor alignment
Even though the device supports the jaw and base of the skull, some babies may tilt into extension or lean heavily into one side.
That can cause:
❕unnecessary neck strain
❕asymmetrical postures
❕reinforcing tightness if baby already has torticollis tendencies

2. Over-reliance on passive floating
❕A neck floater keeps baby upright without them needing to work.
❕If used too long or too often, it may:
reduce opportunities for active trunk control
limit natural water exploration
❕encourage passivity instead of purposeful movement

3. False sense of security
❕One of the biggest risks is that parents might feel the device is “secure enough,” leading to even a few seconds of distraction.
❕In water play:
there is no such thing as hands-free supervision
a baby can slip, tilt, or swallow water in seconds

❤️ My stance as both a mom and a PT
I personally used it with my own baby because I knew exactly how to monitor alignment, positioning, and duration and I was literally within arm’s reach the entire time.
But I also recognize:
✔️ It’s not necessary
✔️ Not every baby will respond well
✔️ It should never replace active motor play or safe water habits
So yes…I loved the experience,
but I also respect the risks.

02/12/2025

Why PT With My Little One Feels Like an Emotional Roller Coaster

😍PT isn’t just exercises and milestones. It’s watching your baby work harder than most kids their age. It’s cheering them on while quietly battling your own guilt, worries, and “what ifs.” It’s wanting to be strong for them, yet feeling your heart squeeze every time they stumble, fall, or get frustrated.

😍But it’s also witnessing magic.
☺️It’s seeing courage in the way they stand up again.
😌It’s noticing strength in moments that used to feel impossible.
😇It’s learning that progress isn’t linear and that your child’s journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

😍PT isn’t easy, but it’s worth every high and low. And you’re never alone in the ride. 💛

01/12/2025