Supporting Baby’s Development: The Physiotherapist’s contribution Part 3: 6-12 months
The aim of this series is to talk you through baby and child development, stage by stage highlighting the amazing steps that your little one will achieve with your love and support. It is truly a wondrous time and should be enjoyed and celebrated. So often as new parents we get caught up in the stress and tiredness, missing out on the best bits!
For healthy babies, their social, sensory, and motor development tracks along in a generally predictable course. Every baby is different, but most should stay within certain expected limits. Keeping a watchful eye on this development is useful and enjoyable for yourself and any health professional looking after your family. In order to do this, you need to have some idea of what to expect and when to ask for help.
6 months
At 6 months, as long as baby has had some supported sitting opportunities, on your lap, in their pram etc. they should “sit when placed.” Baby can maintain a sitting position when placed but will rarely be able maintain if they turn or reach out as their balance, and protective reactions are not yet present. This comes with time and practice.
By surrounding baby with pillows or cushions will soften the falls which will inevitably happen. This position also enables the use of both hands together and baby will enjoy the new play opportunities this provides. At this time, start to use the highchair with a tray for play, socialising at the table and eventually joining in with mealtimes.
7-8 months
7-8 months is a time for consolidating sitting competence and further developing the skills needed for reaching and rolling, using both sides, and enjoying tummy time. By placing baby for most of their awake time on the floor on a mat with toys will help these skills come along.
Avoid too much time in any piece of equipment, especially walkers, standers and seats. A walk in the stroller or a swing in a chair swing, such as the baby swings at the playground are to be encouraged. Swinging, at any age helps to provide movement and balance opportunities, stimulating what is called the vestibular system, which is that system playing a big part in balance and co-ordination, especially later.
9 months
9 months is when we see baby trying to move forward. They should command crawl and get up on all fours, rocking backwards and forwards and consolidating these skills which will lead to the ability to crawl.
Crawling is a very important stage of development.
Baby explores their environment, coming up against obstacles and working out how to manage their way around them is so important. Don’t be tempted to rush to the rescue if they get a bit stuck. Let them work it out, encouraging resilience cannot start too early.
At this time baby also uses all four limbs, bringing it all together, using both sides of the brain. Baby is learning about in and out, up and down, near and far etc. by using their own body, senses and movement to explore.
This position builds core strength and co-ordination, with tummy and back muscles working together for stability, enabling lots of work for the arms and shoulders which is so important for stability later for fine and gross motor skills: writing, ball throwing and catching.
As physiotherapists we will often encourage toddlers and preschoolers to go back to crawling and climbing activities to help manage fine motor challenges in these older age groups.
Encourage crawling. Don’t be in a hurry for walking!
10-12 months
By 12 months most babies are well on the way to walking independently, but there are several important steps along the way that must be allowed to happen in baby’s own time.
For example, baby will crawl well, looking around for things to get hold of and explore when they may spy something up higher requiring climbing and pulling to stand. Let them do this themselves, working out the process. From here they will stand and bounce on legs, feeling and getting used to the position as well as strengthening the hip and leg muscles. In their own time, they will start to step sideways (cruising) along couches, furniture etc. At first they usually don’t know how to lower themselves safely so this is where a soft nappy comes in handy to soften the fall.
Once they feel confident, they will stand without holding on and progress to toddling.
The time at which a baby first walks is very variable and often dependant on family walking history. If one or both parents were late or early walkers, that may also be the case for baby.
We are not concerned as long as the stages we have just talked about are happening.
In normally developing babies walking will not be helped by the use of walkers, pushers, special shoes or other equipment. In fact, the use of any equipment may hinder the normal sequence of stages. Be patient and seek professional help if you are concerned.
Are you:
Concerned?
Need reassurance or help?
Is baby stuck at one of these stages?
Is baby fearful of progressing?
Does baby only want to stand, avoiding crawling and the tummy time that goes with that?
Is baby persistently standing on their toes?
Is baby preferentially using one side?
Is baby stiff or floppy, with apparently poor balance?
Are you concerned about their hips, knees or feet?
**Physiotherapists do not recommend equipment such as jumpers, standers or walkers**
Make an appointment with your health professional: G.P, Child Health Nurse or Physiotherapist.
The team at Osana provide physiotherapy for babies, infants to adolescents, we are located on Buderim and welcome all inquiries, no referrals required.
Website: https://www.osanatherapy.com.au/
Phone: 1300 896 840
Email: friststeps@osanatherapy.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Osanatherapy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osana_therapy/
