Development is like a pyramid. In order to achieve higher level skills, it’s really important to have a solid foundation. Questions may come up like: “What are the milestones I should look for? “When should my baby be achieving these?” “ What are some things that can hinder my baby from developing motor skills and motor milestones?”

Occupational Therapy supports the achievement of skills such as sensory integration (the foundation for motor skill development), motor development , and milestone development.

Some areas may include:

-Sensory development: vision, vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile etc.

-Feeding/oral-motor development

-Fine-Motor Development

-Gross Motor Development

Tummy time is such a huge part of development. In tummy time, babies develop their sensory systems (rolling from back to tummy and tummy to back, visually exploring the environment), build strong muscles in the back, neck and core for crawling and sitting, and build strong shoulders for fine motor skills. It also provides a playful opportunity to explore the environment; gaining independence.

Yet, some babies hate tummy time! This can be due to underlying causes such as oral restrictions, reflux, torticollis, poor tummy muscles, and other underlying difficulties.

Tummy time support includes assessing factors which may be impacting a decreased affection for tummy time, and tools and strategies to allow tummy time to be fun and productive.

At times, babies will achieve tummy time through compensating. This can happen when the postural muscles aren’t strong enough. Tools can also be provided which allow parents to facilitate their baby through normal movement patterns, helping their baby to achieve tummy time goals while activating vital muscles.

Helping your baby navigate the world is beautiful and filled with many emotions. Question’s may come up such as “ Do I let them cry?” How do I know when my baby is frustrated or in pain?” Yet, so much can be supported through learning vital tools to regulate self and in return, help your baby to feel regulated, safe, and calm.

Our babies oral-motor skills begin in the womb! At times, there can be hinderances in utero which may impact efficiency of oral-motor skills for happy and healthy feeding and breathing upon babies arrival.

However, there is so much support to be had! Oral-motor skill development includes:

-Becoming comfortable with touch in and and around the mouth.

- Developing strong muscles in the jaw, cheeks, lips and tongue.

-Providing proper positioning for breathing, sleeping, and eating.

-Support for moms, dads, and other caregivers ; allowing them to feel comfortable supporting babies oral-motor development and feeding.

Is your child displaying concerns such as mouth breathing, reflux, torticollis, resistance to be on their tummy, “milky tongue”? These are just a few indicators that there could be an oral-restriction (AKA tongue-tie). However, there are various underlying components that may impact the concerns listed above.

Pre and Post Frenectomy care involves consultation to determine if underlying challenges are rooted in a tongue-tie or of other origin.

Additional Support Includes:

-Oral-motor therapy and body work to support surrounding oral structures.

-Post-surgical support if a tongue tie release is warranted for infants who are being functionally impacted.