PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR THE NEWBORN : WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEE A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

As a new parent, you probably have lots of information about what your baby should be doing, how they should be developing, and how you can be helping to stimulate their growth. You may not know about the difficulties he or she may encounter after birth regarding sleep, feeding, carrying, motor development or language, etc. 

The goal of this article is to let you know why it is important to  consult a pediatric physiotherapist early, from the first months of your child’s life.

The main reason to consult a pediatric physiotherapist is to help your child develop to his or 

her full potential!

You should consult if:
–  your baby is experiencing difficulties of any kind
–  you have any doubts about your baby’s development
–  your baby is not regularly followed by a doctor
–  you want to help your child reach his or her best developmental potential
– you are concerned that your child is developping a flat spot on their head

The main purpose of an initial physiotherapy appointment is to ensure that your child’s development is following age-appropriate milestones in motor learning. With this type of assessment, we can ensure that your child’s development is smooth and within the norms, without being delayed by muscle shortening, cranial deformity or neurological impairment. 

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF NEUROMOTOR DISORDERS

 

It is essential to DETECT EARLY ANY ANOMALY that may delay your baby’s development and have important consequences later in childhood and adulthood. 

Numerous scientific studies conducted over the years allow us to understand and encourage the neuromotor development of the child: his first movements, his first smile, his first words and his first steps. 

These studies emphasize the importance of early identification of possible motor or neurological abnormalities in the first months of life, because early intervention significantly improves the quality of life of the future adult. In other words, it is essential to recognize the difficulties that a newborn may encounter and to act as early as possible to help him or her develop normally or to compensate as best as possible for the deficiencies that he or she may present. 

During the first visit to pediatric physiotherapy, the physiotherapist will evaluate your child on the neuromuscular level. The physiotherapist will assess:

– strength, flexibility and symmetry of muscle chains
– muscle tone
– shape and development of the skull and face
– motor development: movement against gravity, locomotion
– reflex activities and postural reactions. 

The initial evaluation in physiotherapy consists of an analysis of the psychomotor development of the newborn. This first evaluation aims to reveal the presence of possible disorders such as 

– shortening of one or more neck muscles causing torticollis
– an alteration of the muscular tone: tightness or lack of tone
– a cranial deformation: plagiocephaly, dolichocephaly, brachycephaly. – postural or functional asymmetry
– Atypical development of the baby 

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

The role of pediatric physical therapy is also to help you, the parent, understand the major developmental milestones of the child, so that you can follow, guide and stimulate your child’s motor learning. You will then be reassured and able to accompany your baby in his motor discoveries, allowing him to acquire the exciting ability of walking! 

WHAT CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY DO FOR MY CHILD? 

– Reassure the parent that your child is developing normally and at an age-appropriate level
– Monitor and stimulate development
– prevent developmental delay
– treat any identified developmental delay
– provide a better quality of life

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK PHYSIOTHERAPY? 

As soon as possible after the birth of your baby. We can safely assess and treat newborns!

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

While the physiotherapist will not make a specific diagnosis, their role is to identify babies with atypical development or at risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in order to build a physiotherapy intervention plan as early as possible, giving the child the best possible chance to develop to their full potential. Your physiotherapist can also refer children onwards to appropriate resources if necessary. 

Our pediatric physiotherapist is ready to help your child reach their full potential! Make an appointment today.