When most people think of physiotherapy, they imagine sports injuries or rehabilitation after surgery. But did you know that physiotherapy can also benefit newborns and infants? At BodyLab Recovery Science in St. Catharines, our pediatric physiotherapy services help support your child’s growth, movement, and overall development right from the very beginning.
What Is Pediatric Physiotherapy for Newborns?
Pediatric physiotherapy is a specialized area of care that focuses on the movement, strength, and development of babies and children. For newborns, physiotherapy aims to encourage proper motor development, improve muscle function, and address any early challenges that may affect growth or mobility.
Common Reasons Newborns May Benefit from Physiotherapy
Every baby develops at their own pace, but some infants may experience conditions where early physiotherapy can make a meaningful difference. These include:
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Torticollis (tight neck muscles): Babies may develop a head tilt or preference to look in one direction, which can affect head shape and mobility.
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Plagiocephaly (flat head): Physiotherapy provides repositioning strategies and exercises to encourage proper head shape.
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Premature birth: Preemies may need extra support to build strength, coordination, and motor skills.
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Tongue tie (ankyloglossia): Restricted tongue movement can affect feeding, swallowing, and oral development. Physiotherapy can help with muscle function, oral motor exercises, and post-release recovery if a tongue-tie procedure is performed.
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Developmental delays: Physiotherapy encourages age-appropriate milestones such as rolling, crawling, and sitting.
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Neurological or genetic conditions: Early support promotes independence and mobility.
How Pediatric Physiotherapy Helps Newborns
Physiotherapy for babies is gentle, safe, and individualized. Some of the benefits include:
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Encouraging healthy movement patterns through play-based activities
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Supporting feeding and oral motor development in babies with tongue tie
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Teaching parents safe positioning and handling techniques
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Promoting motor milestones (rolling, sitting, crawling, walking)
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Improving flexibility, strength, and coordination
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Building confidence in both baby and parents
What to Expect at a Pediatric Physiotherapy Session
At BodyLab Recovery Science, our pediatric physiotherapist Kaitlyn Ross will carefully assess your newborn’s movement, posture, feeding, and/or reflexes. Together with parents, we create a personalized plan that may include hands-on therapy, exercises, and home strategies to support development. Parents are actively involved, making therapy a team effort.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earlier physiotherapy begins, the greater the impact it can have. Whether your baby has a tongue tie, torticollis, or developmental challenges, addressing these concerns in infancy helps prevent small issues from becoming bigger difficulties later on. Early intervention sets a strong foundation for lifelong growth, coordination, and independence.
Pediatric Physiotherapy in St. Catharines
At BodyLab Recovery Science, we are proud to offer newborn and pediatric physiotherapy in the niagara region. Our compassionate, evidence-based approach is designed to give your child the healthiest start possible.
If you’re concerned about feeding difficulties, tongue tie, head shape, or motor development, our pediatric physiotherapist can help.
📞 Contact us today at 905-228-3130 to book an appointment or book online and learn how physiotherapy can benefit your newborn.
