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Physiotherapy Blog
Tummy time - How much is enough?
I'm often asked by new parents how much tummy time do I need to do with my infant? A recent study from Zhang et al, 2022 (European Journal of Pediatrics) gives us some answers to those questions. Parents kept a journal of the time spent in tummy time at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months. Tummy times were measured in bouts of 5 minutes and total times / day were calculated. This time was compared to overall development on the Ages and Stages questionnaire, a developmental paren
Dr. Janet Hale
Jun 114 min read
Infants with Torticollis and Delayed Rolling - Physiotherapy can help
A recent article in Developmental Neurorehabilitation, by HS Park et al, 2024 talks about the relationship between torticollis and the early motor milestones of lying and rolling. Torticollis is defined as a persistent tilt of the head to one side and a turning of the head to the other side. The head tilt to one side, significantly impacts the infants ability to lift their head sideways to the other side. This is exactly what your infant needs to do when rolling over their ar
Dr. Janet Hale
May 233 min read
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My child has just been diagnosed with Hypotonia? Physiotherapy can help!
Children are born with different levels of muscle tone. Each child is different and unique! Some children are born with higher muscle tone and others with low muscle tone. Low muscle tone or hypotonia means your child will have more movement in their joints, and it's harder for them to be strong, balance, coordinate their movements and they often have difficulties keeping up with their peers and playing in the playground. They may not want to be in activities or in gym class
Dr. Janet Hale
Oct 1, 20252 min read
My infant has torticollis? How can Pediatric physiotherapy help?
Your infant has just been diagnosed with torticollis and you're wondering what to do. Torticollis is a tendency for your infant to turn their head to one side and tilt their head to the opposite side. Sometimes they also get flattening at the back of their heads (plagiocephaly) from turning their head only to that side. Pediatric physiotherapy can help you with exercises to stretch and massage the tight side of the neck, help your infant practice turning their head to the oth
Dr. Janet Hale
Sep 30, 20252 min read
Helping your infant learn to roll
Rolling is an important motor skill for your infant to learn. They need to learn how to move from their back to their tummy and their...
Dr. Janet Hale
Sep 29, 20252 min read
Elbows UP for tummy time
Lots of infants have difficulties with tummy time as their heads are quite large compared to their bodies when they are little and learning tummy time. One of the tips that can help you is placing their elbows under or in front of their shoulders or "Elbows UP", when they are in tummy time. This helps them lift up their heads. Just try it yourself - try tummy time with your elbows in front of your shoulders versus below your shoulders - its much easier with elbows up. If they
Dr. Janet Hale
Sep 26, 20252 min read
Why should my infant or child see a pediatric physiotherapist?
You've just seen your doctor and the doctor said you should see a pediatric physiotherapist. You're wondering why? Your doctor may have said your infant turns his head only to one side, is not tolerating tummy time or is not yet sitting, crawling or walking and that you need to see a pediatric physiotherapist. Pediatric physiotherapists specialize in posture, movement and motor control and help you help your child learn to stabilize their postures and to move. See my pamplet
Dr. Janet Hale
Sep 22, 20252 min read
Early Physiotherapy - helping Infant Development
I was just reading about the importance of neuro plasticity in infant development and how it happens on a continuous basis - the brain...
Dr. Janet Hale
Sep 13, 20253 min read
Babies on the Move - Back by Popular Demand!
BABIES ON THE MOVE: There is still time to register for the older group of infants (9 - 18 months) starting on November 4, 2025 until Dec 9, 2025. We currently have 5 babies registered and we need 6 babies - to run the class. Our first group of babies for birth to 6 months - has been a success! The classes are run like a playgroup where you will socialize with other parents or caregivers and also learn about typical motor development, alignment, how to help your infant with m
Dr. Janet Hale
Aug 13, 20252 min read
Importance of Early Pediatric Physiotherapy for Infants with Motor Delays
We all know Early Intervention for our infants is important. However parents don't always know when to refer to Pediatric Physiotherapy. What is Early Pediatric Physiotherapy? Infants typically control their heads in all directions by 4 months of age. They can also stay in tummy time for an unlimited period of time. They use both sides of their bodies and don't show a preference for using one side only. They generally sit by themselves at 7 months, crawl at 9 months, get up
Dr. Janet Hale
May 26, 20253 min read
My Infant has Torticollis - how long do I need Pediatric Physiotherapy
I was just reading a new research article from the American Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal; 2025;37:210-216 where they examined what factors were important to track for infants with torticollis. They mentioned the most IMPORTANT thing to track was how well the infant was able to turn their head to the opposite side - all by themselves and to full range. The ability of a therapist to move the neck passively to full range, was also important. Comparing the differences betw
Dr. Janet Hale
Apr 22, 20253 min read
My child is not playing as much with others
A research study done in 2019 observed 3 years old children in the daycare and watched them roam around in the daycare both inside and...
Dr. Janet Hale
Apr 22, 20252 min read
My child is clumsy and is falling a lot - PACE Physio can help
Have you ever noticed that your child is clumsy and is falling a lot. As a child they may have had some difficulty reaching their milestones on time - like crawling, walking or climbing stairs. You may notice they like to sit in W sitting position, but can't sit in a variety of different sitting positions. This could be a lack of core muscular control. When your child is in the playground or playing with others, you find they don't coordinate their movements as well as their
Dr. Janet Hale
Apr 22, 20252 min read
Ankle Collapse - or Ankle Pronation
As a pediatric physiotherapist I am always screening children for ankle pronation or ankle collapse. We screen from the back of the...
Dr. Janet Hale
Mar 17, 20252 min read
Pacifiers helpful for infants
Hi everyone; I was at the American Pediatric Physical Therapy Conference in November, 2024 and was interested by one of the presentations on pacifiers and nipples for breast feeding. They suggested pacifiers which more resembled the breast than other pacifiers. I find also that when we as physiotherapists are checking primitive reflexes, including the sucking reflex, it is much easier to feel the degree of suck with the more open pacifier. Things to think about for your littl
Dr. Janet Hale
Mar 17, 20251 min read
Safe Sleep Practices
Hi everyone; Just a reminder to those of you who have new infants. Attached are the guidelines for safe sleep practices. I think everyone knows now about the importance of your infant sleeping on their back. It's important also that they are alone in their bassinet or crib on a firm mattress. The new guidelines suggest having the infant in your room for the first 6 months, but not in your bed. Pacifiers are also recommended, as it helps with infant self soothing. Remember al
Dr. Janet Hale
Mar 17, 20252 min read
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
This picture says it ALL - a healthy body and a healthy mind Cette photo dit tout: un corps sain et un esprit sain
Dr. Janet Hale
Mar 10, 20251 min read
The Best Infant Carrier I've Seen yet
As a pediatric physiotherapist with many years of experience, I wanted to offer my endorsement of the Baby Bjorn infant carrier. In my...
Dr. Janet Hale
Mar 10, 20252 min read
"No Place Like Home" - Infant and Children's Physiotherapy
As a physiotherapist who works with infants and children, I can see the difference when we see infants and children in their own home versus in the hospital or facility setting. Actually in the USA, physiotherapists who work with infants and children under three years of age are mandated to offer services ONLY in the home or daycare. At home, the infants are in their comfy place; they are calmer and are familiar with the home environment. Physiotherapists can then usually get
Dr. Janet Hale
Mar 10, 20252 min read
Shoes or No Shoes for the Early Walker
As a pediatric physiotherapist, I'm often asked, it is better for my toddler who is learning to walk to wear shoes or not. The answer is...
Dr. Janet Hale
Feb 12, 20252 min read
Sitting Equipment for Infants
As a pediatric physiotherapist, I'm often asked what is a good sitting equipment for infants learning to sit. When you are examining sitting equipment, it's important to look at different features. Most seats also come with a tray which helps the infant sit in a move upright sitting position because they can play with toys on the tray. Does the bottom of the seat have a flat bottom or is it curved? If it is curved, it places the pelvis in a backwards tilt, making the back cur
Dr. Janet Hale
Feb 12, 20252 min read
When would I consult a pediatric physiotherapist for my infant or child?
Hi everyone! I've put together a one page graphic to help parents understand when to consult with a pediatric physiotherapist. Pediatric physiotherapy is different from adult physiotherapy. Physiotherapy in general works on the principle of analyzing postures and movements and then detecting difficulties with strength, alignment, movement amplitudes, pain, coordination, balance, sensory appreciation, and/or endurance. But when working with children we make it fun, we play ga
Dr. Janet Hale
Jan 28, 20252 min read
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