Motor Milestone Delays in Babies and Toddlers: When to Seek Pediatric Physical Therapy
Are you concerned that something seems 'off' with your child's movements? Maybe your pediatrician mentioned that your child might be behind in their gross motor skills. These concerns could include difficulty with tummy time, a preference for W-sitting, a tendency to look in one direction, head flattening (plagiocephaly), or delays in rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking.
At Movevery, we help infants and toddlers in Denver, CO through a holistic, tear-free approach that supports early motor development. Using a combination of age-appropriate activities, purposeful play, and hands-on bodywork techniques like Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) and Total Motion Release TOTs (TMR TOTs), we promote improved strength, coordination, and mobility while empowering caregivers every step of the way. Together, we’ll celebrate every milestone—big or small—helping your child thrive.
Signs Your Baby May Benefit from Pediatric Physical Therapy
Every child develops at their own pace, but if you're noticing any of the following, it might be time to contact your local pediatric physical therapist for an evaluation:
Discomfort or difficulty during tummy time
Persistent head tilt or preference to look one direction (possible torticollis)
Flat spots on the head (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly)
Consistent W-sitting
Uneven movement or use of one side of the body
Delays in rolling, crawling, standing, or walking
Gassiness, constipation, or reflux
General Motor Milestone Guidelines
Here are some typical timelines to help guide expectations:
Tummy time: Tolerated and enjoyed by 2 months
Rolling: By 5–6 months
Sitting independently: By 6–7 months
Crawling (hands-and-knees): By 9–10 months
Pulling to stand: By 12 months
Walking: By 16 months
If your baby isn’t meeting these milestones—or you notice something feels off—trust your instincts. Pediatric physical therapists are trained to identify subtle motor delays and asymmetries that may impact your child’s growth and function.
How Movevery Supports Early Development
Our individualized, whole-body approach focuses on:
Promoting symmetry, postural alignment, and balanced muscle tone
Supporting strength and core stability through play-based activities
Reducing tension patterns through gentle, tear-free bodywork
Guiding you in purposeful positioning and daily routines
Whether your child needs a little extra help or you want peace of mind, we’re here to support you both. At Movevery, we celebrate every small step forward as an important part of your child’s journey toward confident, independent movement.
If your child isn’t meeting these milestones—or if you feel something is off—trust your instincts. Development is a continuum, and pediatric physical therapists specialize in movement and gross motor skills. At Movevery, we’re development experts and always here to help your child thrive.
How Movevery Supports Early Development
Our individualized, whole-body approach focuses on:
Promoting symmetry, postural alignment, and balanced muscle tone
Supporting strength and core stability through play-based activities
Reducing tension patterns through gentle, hands-on therapy
Guiding you in purposeful positioning and daily routines
Whether your child needs a little extra help or you want peace of mind, we’re here to support you both. At Movevery, we celebrate every small step as an important part of your child’s journey toward confident, independent movement.
Reach Out to Learn More
If you’re unsure whether your child needs pediatric physical therapy or simply want advice, let’s connect. Contact us or book a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation today. We also offer virtual milestone sessions for families outside of Colorado, designed to support parents with expert guidance on their child’s development from the comfort of home.
Testimonial
When our 11-month-old wasn’t crawling, I started to have some concerns. The first person who came to mind to contact was Dr. Nicole because of her depth of knowledge and experience in the field of pediatric physical therapy and development. I contacted her through her company website and heard from her within a matter of minutes. We were able to schedule a virtual milestone consultation within a couple of days of my initial contact. Through the virtual milestone consultation, she was able to get a sense of his mobility and movement patterns. She suggested a few stretches and movement exercises for us to do. Based on what she saw, she felt there may have been mobility issues due to tightness in one or both of his ankles and/or his hips that were causing delays in his ability to crawl. Because she lives in a different state from us, we were unable to take him to be treated in person. Dr. Nicole offered to help research pediatric physical therapists close to us or to look into the options I sent to her. A week after our virtual milestone consultation, I took our son to a pediatric physical therapist near us. The practitioner confirmed exactly what Dr. Nicole had suspected: our son had tightness in his right hip and ankle, which caused restriction in his mobility. After two sessions, he was crawling like a champ! Dr. Nicole’s calm and warm demeanor, coupled with her direct patient care experience and education, set her apart from others in the industry. She is in the field because she truly cares about improving the lives of the patients and parents with whom she works. I wish I could give her a million stars, but Google reviews limits me to five. I highly recommend her and trust her with my child’s care, development, and well-being. Thank you, Dr. Nicole!
Geneva & Paxton
