Address concerns about Baby’s motor milestones by ensuring preceding skills are in place.
This way, we’ll draw out your baby’s innate abilities to move and learn because we won’t be imposing positions or movements your baby can’t yet do.
And mama—it’s okay. Sometimes reflexes and motor skills get a little stuck.
There’s a reason the ‘wait and see’ approach feels unsettling.
Yet trying to get your baby to practice the next milestone is like building a house without a foundation.
I find that parents are often flooded with advice to “just wait and see,” that “s/he’ll grow out of it” and “it’s no big deal.”
Motor development concerns can arise for a vast number of reasons. Someone trained specifically in the details of first year motor development would not give you the above advice. Stay in tune with your gut feeling!
Each new motor milestone builds on what comes before. If a movement skill doesn’t trigger, there’s a reason. We want to address it now so the following motor skills can unfold naturally. Don’t just ‘wait and see.’ In fact, the sooner, the better.
Many traditional therapies focus either on a particular body area or a particular movement. But motor milestones are whole-body.
Not only that; movement is whole-self. It’s how we function in the world, navigate our environment, and express ourselves. It’s part of how safe we feel.
My approach comes from Infant Developmental Movement Education (IDME), developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, OT. I’m also fully trained in the Feldenkrais Method® of Somatic Education.
No concerns, but curious how to support optimal milestones?
Contact me about working together
More info about IDME
In order to truly help your baby, we need to approach from a whole-body and whole-self perspective.
This means we need to take a step backward and look at the clues your baby is showing us–what’s preventing your child from finding the next stage automatically.
We also need to take some additional things into consideration, such as learning habits, self-confidence, and big feelings that might be associated with areas of tension.
By doing so, we’ll support your baby’s movement foundation so that s/he can build from there.
The age motor milestones happen is …casual. It’s helpful as a landmark. But don’t mistake the map for the territory! The progression of skills is far more important. All the bits and pieces in-between—the bricks and mortar—are where your baby builds the internal tools needed to sit, crawl, stand, and walk.
I work with clients online in USA and internationally
Plowing ahead without respecting what your child is showing us risks inadvertently overriding some innate abilities to communicate, learn, and satisfy milestones.
You may have heard of intrinsic motivation? I will not impose therapy exercises where baby may feel ‘done to’ or feel the need to perform—that’s extrinsic. We’ll follow his/her own motivation to explore the world. We’ll stay in the realm of relationship, everyday interactions, and treating baby as an equal part of this process.
Facilitating the full progression plus this internal wisdom will not only help your baby’s milestones progress, but will greatly contribute to healthy body and learning habits into adulthood.
Start with my ‘Single Topic Package’
Let’s do it.
I’ll observe your baby moving, explain what I see, and identify the elements that will help him/her find the next skill.
You’ll learn how to help your baby move more freely through unique techniques for holding and moving Baby in everyday interactions, as well as through play.
All will be geared toward your baby’s specific situation. While the recommendations will lay groundwork for the next milestones to emerge, they won’t push him/her ahead.
Here’s what to expect:
- Clarity about what’s going on with your baby
- Understand relevant movement mechanics so you know why we’re working this way
- Read your baby’s intentions more clearly
- Relief! True baby-led development can look very different from the current norm.
- Thrill watching your baby progress through milestones on his/her own without being taught. This part is not easily explainable, you have to see it for yourself!
What this isn’t:
- Quick-fix
- Symptom-based (vs root cause)
- Exercises (do these 3 times per day and the problem will resolve)
I can help you with:
Not rolling
Not starting to crawl
Not crawling properly
Skipping any milestones
Tummy time is not enjoyable
Baby seems lethargic, not interested, or giving up
Motor delay
Difficult birth
Gut feeling something’s not right
Prevention–please reach out if you see these:
Scoots on bottom
Crawls with one foot (not both knees)
Skipping crawling or other milestones
Arches a lot
Doesn’t use both arms or legs
Can’t roll, but can sit up
Rolls distances, but doesn’t slide on belly
Prefers to be held in standing
Doesn’t want to cuddle
Laura Bruner, Modern Mamas Podcast
“Friends! Evie and I had so much fun in our consult with Eliza this morning–clear on Evie’s face.
We talked and moved through supporting my little one through her transition from belly crawling to hands and knees crawling, and I learned a ton.
The development of our babes is so important for so many reasons, and Eliza has a gift in helping parents support their little ones through these transitions.”
(Online session, photo from her screen view)
My little boy presented stuck in his motor development and needed much support from us to get moving as a baby.
Wouldn’t you know – at 20 months old it is reported that my son’s gross motor skills surpass others at his age and older?! Now, he is easily the most agile child I know at his age; and in tandem with the freedom of movement, I see fast development in his speech and cognitive abilities. He is a real joy.
The work you do is so valid. Thank you so much for your help, we will never be able to thank you enough. He is starting to run and almost jumping! You would never know now that he’d had any gross motor challenges at all.
Here’s how we’ll work together:
- 1 Session (usually online) with you and your child together. Each session is around 90 minutes
- Detailed follow up notes, including a recap of what we covered (so you don’t have to worry about taking notes), helpful handouts, and videos to help you remember and learn the handling techniques
- Then you’ll have 1 to 2 weeks to implement the new tips and send me an update with questions. We’ll see how your baby is responding and tweak further if needed.
- Wrapping up with a 10 – 30 min video chat so I can see what’s happening and so you feel confident going forward without me
- $325 USD
We can typically address a movement question in this package. If other elements emerge, you may it helpful to roll into a larger package.
Are online sessions effective?
Absolutely. I am able to see what your baby is doing through the computer screen.
I use a demo doll so you can see visually what to do. I’m highly skilled at talking people through movement–I’ve actually received training specifically related to this! You and I will also be doing the movements together through so you understand it and have a frame of reference to help your baby.
I have used Ms. Parker’s program with children in my practice with hip dysplasia and clubfeet with remarkable results.
I feel that it is ideal for any child (and parent) from firstborn to youngest of ten, even if they have no orthopaedic issues at all.
Get started here!
Ready to work together? Tell me a little about your situation and we’ll get you set up.
Still have questions? Let’s chat 10 min, no charge.
Either way, begin the process with the button below.
After his slight delay…
…it’s amazing how quickly he’s learned walking, running, & kicking. I talk to friends with similar aged kids, and they all report a much longer learning process and many more problems with balance.
I really think he’s as agile and balanced as he is because of your work with him. You’ve made a big difference in his life!