Should I be concerned about my baby’s head shape?

An infant’s skull is made up of pieces of bone called plates. The connection between two plates is called a suture, and it is quite flexible in the first year of life. There are also soft spots in an infant’s skull, called fontanelles, which are openings where multiple plates come together. The flexibility provided by these features allows for the ability of the plates to compress and overlap for the trip through the birth canal.  It also accommodates the rapid brain growth that is seen during the first year. Over the first year and a half of life, the fontanelles close and the sutures become less flexible. 

An infant’s head is very moldable in the first year of life, and the forces on it will determine if it shapes into a typical round shape or if it develops a flat spot or other abnormal shape. Some babies are born with an oddly shaped head due to forces in utero such as not enough space from a differently shaped uterus, too little amniotic fluid, more than one baby at a time, or an extended amount of time in the birth canal. Once the baby is born, the forces that caused the abnormal head shape are no longer present, so the shape tends to improve. Other babies are born with a perfectly round head, but it becomes flattened over time due to forces caused by positioning the baby.  When babies spend much more time on their backs than on their tummies and/or spend a significant amount of time in infant positioning devices, they often have pressure on the back of their head which causes the skull to flatten over time. In some rare instances, flattening of an infant’s head is due to a condition called craniosynostosis, where a suture of the skull fuses early. Your child’s pediatrician will help determine if your child needs to see a specialist to rule out craniosynostosis.

The most common cause of flattening of an infant’s skull is due to positioning. Children who lie on the back of their head too much of the day without moving will develop flatness across the back of their head. Other children may develop flatness more or only on one side of the back of their head. These children also lie on the back of their head too much of the day without moving, but are doing so with their head preferentially turned to one side. Infants who have a preference to consistently turn or tilt their head to one side should be referred to a pediatric physical therapist for evaluation. Other head shape changes that may be seen are widening or narrowing of the head, prominence of the forehead on one or both sides, asymmetrical ear alignment, and/or asymmetry in the facial features. If you notice any of these features in your infant, speak with your pediatrician to determine if they should be referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon or plastic surgeon who work with children with asymmetrical head shape. 

The recommendation for babies to be positioned on their backs for sleep has helped to significantly reduce infant deaths due to SIDS and other sleep-related causes.  However, there has also been a significant increase in positional skull deformities as well as increased reports of delayed achievement of milestones since that initiative was started. It was added that parents should include supervised, awake tummy time to their baby’s daily routine. Tummy time helps your baby to strengthen his muscles to become more mobile and also does not place any pressure on the back of his head. 

To prevent or improve flattening of your baby’s head, it is important that she is provided with opportunities to move, unrestricted, in a variety of ways. Lay your baby on the floor to move and play on her back, tummy, and sides. Be sure to alternate sides with everyday activities such as which side you hold him for feeding or carrying and which direction you lay him down on his back in the crib. Avoid or strictly limit infant positioning devices, as this equipment puts added pressure on baby’s head while also limiting his mobility. Positioning devices include, but are not limited to, devices such as swings, bouncy seats, lounger pillows, and car seats used outside of the car. As baby’s mobility improves, she is changing the forces on her skull. It is important for your baby to learn how to turn her head fully to both sides, roll from side to side and between her back and tummy, and eventually to sit so that there is no longer pressure in one spot on the back of their head. Developing these skills will not only help your baby to decrease the asymmetrical pressure on his head and improve head shape, but will also give him a strong foundation for future movement and motor skills. Remember that infants often benefit from physical therapy to help them improve their symmetry of movement if they have a tendency to turn their head in one direction. If you have concerns about your baby’s head shape, think about giving her more opportunities for uncontained play, encourage tummy time as much as possible, and most importantly, speak with your pediatrician.

Babies On The MOVE is going virtual

As healthcare providers, we at Babies On The MOVE feel very strongly about the importance of maintaining physical distancing in an effort to flatten the curve and stop the spread of Covid-19. We also want to continue to fulfill our mission to support and empower parents with knowledge and hands-on skills to confidently support their infant’s motor development. Until further notice, we will be providing the monthly Mini and Master Movers classes virtually via online video format. Join us from the comfort of your home! We will send a link to join the class to the email address that you use when registering for class. We will also continue to provide free developmental screenings for those registered for class upon request and depending on availability. They will be performed via a private video meeting with one of our providers. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have as we move forward with this new and exciting platform.

Feature Baby: Malcolm

We are long overdue to show off one of the amazing kiddos that attends classes at Babies On The MOVE! Today we are featuring this sweetheart, Malcolm. We first met Malcolm’s mom, Sarah, in the summer of 2016 when she started attending classes with their first child, Dotty. You may recognize Dotty, as she has been a feature baby herself! We have now had many Babies On The MOVE alumni return to visit us while their parents are attending class again with a younger sibling, and we ABSOLUTELY LOVE when they do!!! It is fun to see how the big siblings help to motivate and also sometimes challenge the little ones’ movement. From trying to keep up, to working on their balance when getting bumped into sometimes, it is obvious that a big sibling enriches the environment for their young siblings motor exploration!

Sarah and Malcolm started attending classes in December 2018, when he was just barely 2 months old. Even that early on, Malcolm was a laid back, content baby who seemed to be happy pretty much all the time. He also had some pretty amazing hair and those cheeks that make you just want to snuggle him! He was a tummy time rock star from the beginning, just like his sister. She came to class with him one month and introduced him to her love of crawling through things! He followed in her footsteps and mastered crawling through the tunnel in no time! We have so enjoyed getting to know this wonderful family and supporting them through the early stages of their children’s motor development.

““With one successful Babies on the Move alumnus under our belt, we wanted to ensure that we were giving Malcolm’s development the same attention as our first! The classes are so helpful and reassuring. Becca and Rachel are so great at helping to address concerns and giving fun tips on how to play with our kids in ways that aid their movement.””

— Sarah (Malcolm's mother)

MOVE: Movement ~ Opportunity ~ Variety ~ Experience

As adults, we know what we need to do to stay healthy - be active, eat well, and get plenty of rest. As parents, we encourage these habits in our children as well. Physical activity is important for the entire family, even our infants. During the first year of life, an infant works on developing gross motor skills and through this process strengthens muscles, builds bones, stimulates the senses, and learns how to move. The trial and error of early movement and independence developed by learning how to move builds their confidence and sets the foundation for a lifetime of movement.   

We can encourage MOVEMENT in our babies by providing a stimulating environment and interacting with them. The way we hold our babies, the positions we put them in, the equipment they spend time in, and the toys we give them to interact with can all influence the ways that our babies learn to move. Helping our babies strengthen their muscles from early on will help them to learn to roll, sit, crawl, stand and walk as infants which builds the foundation for playing sports, dancing, and exercising as they grow up.

Babies have an innate drive to move. When we give them the OPPORTUNITY to move without containment and spend time in different positions, we allow them the freedom to learn about their world from a new perspective. Prolonged time in anything that restricts their movement should be avoided to afford them these opportunities. Rather than focusing on spending one extended period working with our babies, we should offer them various opportunities to be uncontained and play throughout the day. These small moments add up to create a rich experience of practice and learning for baby.

For infants, VARIETY is the spice of life, just as it is for adults. Spending time on their back helps babies to strengthen their muscles differently than it does when spending time on their tummy. Sitting up gives a new vantage point compared to being on their side, and standing opens a whole new world of possibilities for our infants. Each of these different positions encourages our babies to use their muscles in different ways, as well as offering them new sensory experiences, opportunities, and challenges. A variety of environments for baby to explore will also stimulate their desire to move and play. Remember that for infants, a small change in their environment can offer lots of new experiences and information. Switch up the room in your house where you play with baby to give him new things to look at. Take a blanket outside and let your baby enjoy playing in the fresh air too.  

Moving our infants through a variety of positions and environments throughout the day not only keeps boredom at bay but it is also provides them with the EXPERIENCE they need to learn and master new skills. The more experience they have, the more confident they will be in their movement abilities. Just as adults learn to master skills by practicing, your baby will practice movements over and over as they fine tune their abilities and move on to new challenges.

Every developmental position provides our infants with opportunities to strengthen their muscles, get different sensory information, and see their world in a new and different way. Without all of these experiences, the path for motor development can be bumpy, with babies having difficulty mastering new skills.  So the next time you are playing with your baby, don’t forget to MOVE!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Baby

With the holidays coming up quickly, we know many families are thinking about what kind of gifts to give to their babies.  We created this holiday gift idea list to help parents (and grandparents!) choose items that are fun and also help promote their development!

1. Baby play mat or activity gym

We love this woodland themed play mat by Skip Hop for its sheer adorableness, but there are lots of other great play mats out there too!  They provide a great place for baby to play on her back, tummy, side, and sitting up.  The hanging toys encourage her to reach up and may provide great sensory feedback like a rattle, chime, crinkle, or light to reward her for reaching them.  Some models come with a tummy time pillow that can be used under her chest to make tummy time easier.  The surface of the mat may have fun textures, mirrors, and flaps for baby to explore too!  

2. Play table with removable legs

A play table, like the one pictured by Leapfrog, is a toy that will grow with your baby.  The legs can be removed to help your baby reach the toys before he can stand. When your little one is sitting up, you can add two legs to provide an angled surface to sit and play at. Once he's getting up on his feet, you can add the other legs back on to encourage him to pull up to play.

3. Links

They seem like a simple toy at first, but they are incredibly versatile!  The small size makes it easy for baby to grip from an early age.  The various textures are great for exploring with her hands and mouth.  They can be linked together to make a rattle or to hang other toys from.

4. Stacking and nesting toys

Another seemingly simple yet versatile toy that baby will love.  The pieces may be grabbed with one hand or two and encourage him to learn about grasp, release, and in-hand manipulation.  Baby will love exploring these toys first by taking them apart, and eventually learning how to put them together, practicing hand-eye coordination.  

5. Pop up toy

A pop up toy is a great choice for a toy to help baby learn about cause and effect.  When she performs the function of pushing, pulling, or twisting a lever, she is rewarded with a fun figure popping up.  Learning to master the different levers develops baby's fine motor skills as well as her problem solving skills.

6. Shape sorter

Little ones will love having a container of easy to grip shapes to dump out, grab, and mouth. As he progresses, he will learn how to put the shapes into the bucket.  Container play is great for baby's fine motor and cognitive development.  I always get excited because once they can put toys in, it means that they can help clean up!!  The added challenge of putting the shapes in the correct slots means that this is a toy that will grow with baby, as he problem solves, learns to recognize shapes and colors, and can match and categorize the blocks.

7. Musical instruments

Babies love music!  Using the instruments will help her with her motor skills and balance in sitting and standing, even more so when she starts to bounce or sway to the beat.  Music is also great for baby's language and cognitive development.   

8. Balls

Get your baby balls in various sizes and textures to challenge his ability to grab them, using one or two hands, and to explore the various textures.  Early on, balls are great for grabbing, holding, and releasing.  As he progresses, he will enjoy rolling, throwing, and kicking them. 

9. Ride on toy

Your older baby will love to go for a ride around the room on a ride on toy, which is great at challenging her balance and stimulating her vestibular system.  As she gets bigger and stronger, she will be able to propel it herself which will increase her leg and core strength.

10. Activity

A wonderful gift for your little one is an activity or experience such as a parent-baby class that you can do together.  Babies On The MOVE classes provide a fun learning opportunity for parents and their babies, and the things that you learn will benefit your baby long after you attend class. You can also check out other local classes including Kindermusik at KinderVillage Music, and Songs for Seeds for more fun experiences with your baby!

How to Start Tummy Time with your Newborn Baby

Babies can (and should!) start tummy time from the day they are born.

In fact, tummy time is often one of the very first experiences that babies have when they are placed tummy down on their mother's chest immediately following delivery. Newborn babies love to be snuggled chest to chest with their parents. After being tucked up tight in utero, the chest to chest contact is comforting in a world where they now have to work against gravity and deal with the uncontrolled movement of their arms causing them to startle. There is added benefit of doing this tummy time on you with skin to skin contact, including improved breastfeeding, soothing, and bonding. Parents can continue to do this tummy time on their chest, with or without skin to skin contact, well after leaving the hospital. What could be more motivating for your baby to pick up his head on his tummy than the reward of seeing your face?

Back to sleep, tummy to play can be difficult in the early weeks of your baby's life when she is sleeping all the time!

It's hard to find a window of time when baby is awake to do tummy time in that first month. Your baby may fall asleep when doing tummy time on you or on the floor. Be sure to supervise your baby if she falls asleep while doing tummy time to make sure that she keeps her face clear and is able to breathe easily. If you are drowsy while holding your baby chest to chest, put her down on her back in a safe place to sleep such as a pack and play, crib, or bassinet.   

After living inside of you for nine months, your newborn baby likes to be close to you.

There are many alternative ways to do tummy time so your baby can remain in contact with you, other than chest to chest tummy time. You can hold and carry your baby in a tummy down position up over your shoulder or across your arms in front of your body. Baby can be burped in a tummy down position over your shoulder or across you lap, and the pressure on his tummy will help get those burps out. You can hold baby tummy down across your lap while eating or sitting and chatting with visitors. Remember that the tummy down position with full contact on their chest and tummy can be very comforting for your baby. Use this position to help soothe and comfort your baby. Try patting or rubbing his bottom while he is tummy down on you or on the floor. Gently rock or bounce your legs when he is tummy down across your lap. For more ideas and guidance on introducing tummy time to your baby, join Babies On The MOVE for one of our classes. 

What shoes should I buy for my baby?

This is one of the questions we are frequently asked at Babies On The MOVE. Shoes for an infant can be thought of as a simple foot covering. That is, the shoe does not need to have a stiff sole or be particularly supportive. Infant's feet develop over time based on the ways that they use their muscles, grip with their toes, and have weight on their feet. Allowing them the freedom to move their feet naturally will help them to develop the arches of the foot and model their bones as they grow. For infants who are not yet walking, it is ideal to allow them to be barefoot whenever possible. When the weather or environment requires their feet to be covered, socks with a grip or a soft shoe are good options. Infants and toddlers who are on their feet more frequently may need to have shoes to protect their feet, especially when they are outside.

Choosing shoes can be as simple as a "bend and twist" test. When you are holding the shoe in your hand, you should be able to bend it in half and twist in lengthwise fairly easily. A shoe that allows this will offer your child the flexibility that he needs to allow his little feet to move and grip inside of the shoe. A stiff sole can make it more difficult for your little one to walk and make tripping more likely. Additionally, the weight of the shoe can be difficult for a toddler to contend with...another factor that may make them more likely to fall. Finally, when buying shoes for your toddler, don't feel obligated to spend big bucks on name brands or fancy shoes. While some of these name brands are great options for kids, there are many reasonable options out there that will serve them just as well. Remember that a pair of shoes may only last your toddler 4-6 months before they are outgrowing them and moving on to a new pair. To help your toddler maximize her opportunity to strengthen her muscles and develop her arches, choose well fitting shoes with some room for growth that are flexible in all directions. Happy shoe shopping!

Feature Baby: Nate

We are very excited to celebrate our next feature baby - Nate!  We first met Nate and his parents in Mini Movers class when he was four month old.  He already loved tummy time, but was able to learn some other fun challenges when on his tummy and back.  By the time we saw him the next month in class, he was starting to get his hands free for sitting! After three months of Mini Movers classes, Nate was ready to take on a Master Movers series!  He started crawling, pulling up to stand, and cruising.  By the end, he was taking a few independent steps and had his first birthday!!  We really enjoyed getting to know Nate and his village.  We had the pleasure of seeing him, his parents, and many other family members along the way!  This little guy is thriving with all the love that surrounds him, and he loves to be the center of attention! 

“We love Babies On The Move! We started going to classes when Nathaniel was about 4 months old and we loved it ever since (he just celebrated his first birthday). Nate was already a tummy time champion, but as first time parents, we wanted to encourage his motor development further (while keeping it fun). Mini and Master Movers classes were exactly what we were looking for. Every class we learned something new - how do some advance tummy time, how to practice sitting, correctly position our son for standing and what muscles our LO is strengthening (just to mention a few). We learned all the different little things our son needed to master before moving to the next milestone. We were amazed to suddenly notice all the small movements that he was so tirelessly practicing - without us even realizing it!

Becca and Rachel always answered all of our questions and showed us what we can practice at home throughout the month. They always had some new fun excercise in mind, and it was always tailored specifically to Nate and his personality.

Most important, Nate had a great time every class as both Becca and Rachel are incredibly engaging and affectionate! We cannot recommend these classes enough! They eased us into the parenting learning curve and truly gave us a new perspective on our son’s development.

Thanks for having us and teaching us so much!

”

— Hanna & Erez Cohen (and Nate!)

Feature Baby: Nora

We are excited to announce our next feature baby -- Nora!  We first met Nora and her mother Johanna at Baby + Co's new mom's group.  She and Nora's father Vince signed her up for her first Mini Movers series when she was not yet 3 months old.  Nora became a pro at tummy time and was learning how to sit and take weight for standing during that three-month series.  She started her next series the following month, and soon had mastered sitting and became mobile on her tummy, switching over to Master Movers by the final class in that series!  She has a few more Master Movers classes under her belt now, and last time we saw her, she was crawling, pulling up to stand, and starting to stand without support!  It's only a matter of time before this little one is taking off walking independently!!  

FREE Educational Sessions @ Buy Buy Baby in Morrisville, NC

Babies On The MOVE will be offering FREE educational sessions in January, February, and March 2018 at the Buy Buy Baby store located at Park West shopping center in Morrisville, NC.  Come out to learn about topics related to infant motor development in a comfortable environment and have your questions answered by physical therapists who are experts in infant motor development.  Here is the schedule:

1/9/18: The Importance of Movement and Fostering Early Motor Development for Your Baby (6:30 PM)

2/6/18: Developmental Milestones in the First Year (6:30 PM)

3/6/18: The Importance of Movement and Fostering Early Motor Development for Your Baby (6:30 PM)

Motor Development: Basics and Beyond Series @ Baby + Co

The Motor Development: Basics and Beyond Series of classes is returning to Baby + Co in Cary, NC for January - February 2018!  Whether your infant needs help learning to enjoy tummy time or find his way to hands and knees for crawling, these skill specific classes offer a variety of ways to help your baby master motor development.   

1/5/18: SITTING & ROLLING (9:30 - 10:30 AM)

1/26/18: TUMMY TIME (9:30 - 10:30 AM)

2/9/18: CRAWLING (9:30 - 10:30 AM)

2/23/18: STANDING & WALKING (9:30 - 10:30 AM)

Each class reviews typical infant development and provides hands on teaching with opportunities for parent practice. The casual and comfortable environment encourages parent and child interaction while learning from expert pediatric physical therapists in a social setting. 

Pre-registration is required: www.babiesonthemoverdu.com/register

Holiday Gift Ideas for Baby

With the holidays coming up, we know many families are thinking about what kind of gifts to give to their babies.  We created this holiday gift idea list to help parents (and grandparents!) choose items that are fun and also help promote their development!

1. Baby play mat or activity gym

We love this woodland themed play mat by Skip Hop for its sheer adorableness, but there are lots of other great play mats out there too!  They provide a great place for baby to play on her back, tummy, side, and sitting up.  The hanging toys encourage her to reach up and may provide great sensory feedback like a rattle, chime, crinkle, or light to reward her for reaching them.  Some models come with a tummy time pillow that can be used under her chest to make tummy time easier.  The surface of the mat may have fun textures, mirrors, and flaps for baby to explore too!  

2. Play table with removable legs

A play table, like the one pictured by Leapfrog, is a toy that will grow with your baby.  The legs can be removed to help your baby reach the toys before he can stand. When your little one is sitting up, you can add two legs to provide an angled surface to sit and play at. Once he's getting up on his feet, you can add the other legs back on to encourage him to pull up to play.

3. Links

They seem like a simple toy at first, but they are incredibly versatile!  The small size makes it easy for baby to grip from an early age.  The various textures are great for exploring with her hands and mouth.  They can be linked together to make a rattle or to hang other toys from.

4. Stacking and nesting toys

Another seemingly simple yet versatile toy that baby will love.  The pieces may be grabbed with one hand or two and encourage him to learn about grasp, release, and in-hand manipulation.  Baby will love exploring these toys first by taking them apart, and eventually learning how to put them together, practicing hand-eye coordination.  

5. Pop up toy

A pop up toy is a great choice for a toy to help baby learn about cause and effect.  When she performs the function of pushing, pulling, or twisting a lever, she is rewarded with a fun figure popping up.  Learning to master the different levers develops baby's fine motor skills as well as her problem solving skills.

6. Shape sorter

Little ones will love having a container of easy to grip shapes to dump out, grab, and mouth. As he progresses, he will learn how to put the shapes into the bucket.  Container play is great for baby's fine motor and cognitive development.  I always get excited because once they can put toys in, it means that they can help clean up!!  The added challenge of putting the shapes in the correct slots means that this is a toy that will grow with baby, as he problem solves, learns to recognize shapes and colors, and can match and categorize the blocks.

7. Musical instruments

Babies love music!  Using the instruments will help her with her motor skills and balance in sitting and standing, even more so when she starts to bounce or sway to the beat.  Music is also great for baby's language and cognitive development.   

8. Balls

Get your baby balls in various sizes and textures to challenge his ability to grab them, using one or two hands, and to explore the various textures.  Early on, balls are great for grabbing, holding, and releasing.  As he progresses, he will enjoy rolling, throwing, and kicking them. 

9. Ride on toy

Your older baby will love to go for a ride around the room on a ride on toy, which is great at challenging her balance and stimulating her vestibular system.  As she gets bigger and stronger, she will be able to propel it herself which will increase her leg and core strength.

10. Activity

A wonderful gift for your little one is an activity or experience such as a parent-baby class that you can do together.  Babies On The MOVE classes provide a fun learning opportunity for parents and their babies, and the things that you learn will benefit your baby long after you attend class. You can also check out other local classes including Kindermusik at KinderVillage Music, and Songs for Seeds for more fun experiences with your baby!

Should I use a Bumbo seat to help my baby learn to sit up?

As physical therapists working with infants, we spend lots of time talking to parents about ways to help their infants develop their strength, balance, coordination, and motor skills. One of the questions that we often hear is whether parents should use a Bumbo seat to help an infant learn to sit up. When we think about it, it is no wonder why parents ask this question so often. Step into your local baby store, read a parent’s page on facebook, or chat with friends with young babies and you are likely to hear some reference to the bumbo seat. There are few seats out there quite like the bumbo in it’s shape and design, and the marketing for it is widespread and effective. Images of infants in the bumbo show babies happily sitting up and sometimes even playing in these seats.

Unfortunately, when we look at the design of the Bumbo seat, there are some features of the seat that make this a less than perfect choice for helping your baby learn to sit. To illustrate this, it is important to understand that a baby learns to sit up by using the muscles on the back (extensors) and the front (flexors) of his body together. When a baby is learning to sit up, her bottom (pelvis) should be the farthest thing back, and her shoulders should be in front of her hips. This position places the pelvis in a slight anterior tilt, with the trunk flexed forward over the legs. You can picture this as your baby folded over and eating his toes if you are not helping to support his trunk. As he becomes stronger, your baby will begin to use his back and hip extensors to move into a more upright position and stay up in sitting.

When a child is positioned in the bumbo seat, the rounded bottom and back of the chair places her pelvis in a posterior tilt with her bottom tucked under her, limiting the ability of the trunk and hip extensors to be active. Adding to this position, the front of the seat is elevated under the legs, making it tip them back even more. This positioning of the pelvis is a large part of the reason that infants look slumped over when sitting in the Bumbo. Without having the space or positioning to lean forward, you baby is not encouraged to turn on her extensor muscles and stay in a more upright position. When the body is in this rounded and slumped position, the head moves too far forward over her trunk, leading to additional problems with your baby’s posture.

Aside from the major concerns about a baby’s posture in the Bumbo seat, it is also important to think back to your baby’s primary motor goal during his first year: learning to move. Each month, we think about our baby achieving new motor milestones. All of these skills build on each other and within each one of them, your baby is doing thousands of repetitions of trial and error before she masters a new skill. If we simply place her in a seat that confines her movement and holds her in a position, it is much more difficult to fine tune how to handle her body in order to master the skill independently. If your child needs to be in a seat like the Bumbo in order to be upright, he likely does not have the strength, coordination, or balance that he requires to be able to sit independently. To help him progress with his motor skills, your baby would likely benefit a great deal more from play time that encourages him to strengthen his muscles and allows him to freely explore his environment. Tummy time, back play on the floor, rolling, and even supported sitting with you, in ideal alignment, can be extremely beneficial to helping your baby master sitting on his own.

Like adults, babies need to move and change position frequently. Once they can sit, infants rarely spend prolonged periods of time sitting still without actively reaching, shifting their weight from side to side, moving to their tummy or back to get a toy, or otherwise wiggling and shimmying around. As they do this, they are learning about their environment and developing the processing of the vestibular system. This system helps tell the brain where a person is in space and gives information about how the person is moving. Spending long periods of time contained in any device, including the Bumbo seat, can limit your baby’s opportunities to provide this important sensory information to the brain and help develop this sensory system.

As you look towards helping your baby master sitting up on his own, remember that a strong foundation for movement comes from developing strong muscles, balance, and coordination and exposure to a variety of positions. Spend time playing with your baby on her back and belly, help her play on her side and learn to roll, and offer her the experience of sitting and standing up in good alignment. With a strong foundation, you will be excited to see how your baby can learn to sit on his own and will be on the way to his next milestone.

Feature Baby: Charlie

This month, we are featuring our adorable friend Charlie! We first met Charlie and his parents, Ray and Ashley, in December 2016 when Charlie had just turned three months old. Charlie was a show off from the start, enjoying being on his tummy from that first Mini Movers class. They signed up for a Mini Movers series, and over the next three months, we watched Charlie progress in his rolling and sitting. Charlie was also a big 'talker' and always made sure that he was heard in class! :) 

Charlie moved up to the Master Movers class in May, and came with a whole new set of tricks!  He was crawling on his belly, pulling up to stand, and playing in standing. Over the new few Master Movers classes, Charlie perfected his squatting, standing with his feet flat, cruising between surfaces, and standing without support. He came to class in August ready to show off his newest feat - walking independently!  Charlie was so proud of himself and we were all so proud of him too!! He was also happy to show off his amazing throwing skills, which will hopefully serve him well in his future baseball career ;) It was such a pleasure having Charlie and his parents in our classes and having the opportunity to help them ensure that he had a strong foundation of motor development in the first year!

“We’ve had so much fun at Babies on the MOVE (Charlie’s “Workout Class” as we call it)! Through both Mini Movers and Master Movers, it’s been great getting tips on helping Charlie learn his next new skill. As he’s gone from rolling over to sitting to crawling to almost-walking, we’ve loved learning about all of the little steps between the major milestones that babies learn and practice in order to move on to the next big one (e.g. standing on his tip-toes means strengthening those calf muscles for walking!). Being able to recognize those little things that he was working on made playtime that much more fun at home. As first-time parents, we had no idea about all of the little progressions that would eventually build up to him taking his first steps. Having Becca and Rachel point out what Charlie was trying to do, and give us tips on how we could help him, has allowed us to contribute to his development in ways we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. Thank you!”

— Ray and Ashley Sweeney

Motor Development: Basics and Beyond Series @ Baby + Co

The Motor Development: Basics and Beyond Series of classes is returning to Baby + Co in Cary, NC for September - November 2017!  Whether your infant needs help learning to enjoy tummy time or find his way to hands and knees for crawling, these skill specific classes offer a variety of ways to help your baby master motor development.   

9/29/17: CRAWLING (1:30 - 2:30 PM)

10/13/17: TUMMY TIME (1:30 - 2:30 PM)

10/27/17: SITTING & ROLLING (1:30 - 2:30 PM)

11/10/17: STANDING & WALKING (1:30 - 2:30 PM)

Each class reviews typical infant development and provides hands on teaching with opportunities for parent practice. The casual and comfortable environment encourages parent and child interaction while learning from expert pediatric physical therapists in a social setting. 

Pre-registration is required: www.babiesonthemoverdu.com/register

Feature Baby: Asher

Time to feature another one of the adorable babies we have met in classes, and this time it is Asher!  We first met Asher and his awesome mom, Ali, at the Baby + Co new mom's group.  They started attending Babies On The MOVE classes when Asher was 4.5 months old, with the Mini Movers series.  Unlike some babies, Asher has been a fan of tummy time from early on.  He progressed quickly to crawling, and switched over to the Master Movers class when he was 6.5 months old.  All that tummy time he did early on, in combination with his strong curiosity and desire to explore, built the foundation to be an early crawler!  In classes, Asher was never one to sit on the sidelines.  He loved to check everything out and get into the mix with all the other babies!  After a few more Master Movers classes, Asher was pulling up, cruising, and starting to stand without holding on!  We were excited to hear, but not a bit surprised, that this little adventurer was walking well before his first birthday!  This month we wish a Happy Birthday to Asher and good luck to Ali in keeping up with this adorable & active baby on the move!!!

“I love Babies on the Move! I have been going since my son was 4.5 months old and have learned a bunch about how to help my son progress in a healthy way, felt well supported in challenges and enjoyed meeting other moms, dads and babies :) It’s definitely worth attending at least once!”

— Ali, mom of Asher

WHEN DO BABIES ROLL OVER, AND WHICH WAY WILL THEY GO?

The answer is…IT DEPENDS.

Rolling is usually the first time that your little one will be able to change his position all by himself. Some parents notice that their babies seem to roll over when they are only a month or two old. Generally, this rolling is the result of a reflex that babies have when they are born. In this instance, if a baby’s head is turned when she is on her back, her body will turn in order to keep the head and body lined up. In other instances, babies may be wiggling and kicking so much on their back or belly that they roll themselves over without meaning to. Once they are a few months old, we see this “accidental” rolling less often because of the changes in baby’s body proportions and the way they move their weight when they are on their back or belly.

Some babies will roll as early as 3-4 months, while others will wait until they are 5-6 months old.  When your baby will roll depends on how strong his back and belly muscles are, his motivation to move and explore his environment, and how well he likes being on his back or belly. The first few times he rolls, it may be accidental and your baby may be startled and upset by the movement. While startling, these early experiences will also help your baby start to learn about how he can move his body himself.  In the past, babies seemed to learn to roll from their belly to back before they rolled to their tummy. Nowadays, it seems to be much more variable! Babies who love tummy time may be more likely to roll to their tummy from their back, while babies who are unhappy on their tummy may wiggle and twist until they figure out how to get off their belly. The more time your baby spends flat on her back on a firm surface and working on tummy time, the stronger her back and tummy muscles will be and the easier it will be for her to master the new skill of rolling.

By 6-7 months, we expect that babies are able to roll from their back to belly as well as belly to back. As with all movement, it is also important that we see baby rolling to both the right and left sides. When babies first learn a new skill, they will usually practice it over and over and over again. This is their way of fine tuning their movement and learning to make it the most efficient. During this time, it is not unusual to see a baby who tends to move in one preferred direction. Just be sure that within a few weeks of learning that new skill, you also see them working on the other direction. If your baby is struggling a bit, it is a great idea for you to help them practice so that they can master this movement. Whether your baby is rolling at 4 months or 6, remember that this is her first experience with changing her position all on her own, and it’s an exciting new skill to celebrate!

Feature Baby: Rose

It is our pleasure to feature another one of our adorable friends, Rose!  We first met Rose and her parents Katie and Bradley in Master Movers class when she was six months old.  She was sitting and learning how to pivot on her tummy at the time. The next month, they signed up for the Master Movers three-month series.  Over the series, Rose learned how to get up on her hands and knees, crawl, and pull up to stand!  Her nanny, Elizabeth, also joined in the classes some times to learn the same things her parents were learning about how to play with Rose to encourage her motor development.  They signed up for the next three-month series, and during that series, she went from taking a couple steps to taking off walking everywhere!  It has been such a delight to have Rose and her family in classes!  She is truly a special little girl with such a sweet and joyful spirit.  In her last class with us, she brought toys to the other babies and gave them hugs & kisses - such a sweetie!  We will miss having you in classes and wish your parents the best of luck in chasing you around now that you are really On The MOVE!  

“I’m so happy that I found Babies on the Move via a Mommy Facebook group. Being a new mom in a new city I was searching for a class that would be fun for Rose, educational for me, and provide an opportunity for socializing. Babies on the Move fit that bill perfectly. Becca and Rachel are very informative, welcoming, calm, cool, and collected. We always walked away from each class with 2-3 tips on how to help Rose develop her skills. It was reassuring knowing that we were right on track and it eased our minds if anything concerning came up Becca and Rachel were right there to support us. We encourage all parents to consider taking advantage of their expertise and provide some fun for their little ones. ”

— Katie, Rose's mother

FREE trial Kindermusik Class at Babies On The MOVE on June 9, 2017

We are very excited to tell you that Susan from Kindervillage Music Studio will be with us at Open Arts dance studio in Morrisville, NC on June 9, 2017 at 12:00 noon to provide a FREE trial Kindermusik class to parents and babies who have attended our classes.  We will have our monthly Mini Movers and Master Movers classes in the studio that morning, and following class the free trial Kindermusik class will start at noon.  

The Kindervillage music studio's website states,  "Kindermusik is a classroom learning experience. We teach children music so they can become better learners. It's not about making little Mozarts. It's about developing skills in the whole child - ages newborn to 7 years - cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language and musical. For more than 25 years, we have believed music is the best conductor for learning."

We invite all parents and children who are currently attending our classes or who have attended our classes in the past to attend this FREE trial class! 

Babies On The MOVE at Kidzu Children's Museum

We are looking forward to talking with parents at the Busy Baby Bees caregiver coffee chat at Kidzu Children's Museum on Tuesday, May 9th at 9:30 AM!  Parents will learn about: The Pros and Cons of Infant Positioning Equipment to Help your Child Gain Strength.  The people who market infant equipment are great at making you think that you need so many things to help your baby develop.  As professionals who are experts in infant motor development, we are here to provide families with knowledge to empower them! See you there!