Learn about weak core symptoms so you can tell if your baby or toddler needs to work on strengthening the core muscles.
You have so much going on with so many balls in the air as you navigate the child development journey with your baby.
Every developmental milestone is a huge deal and it feels like they are coming so fast! You anticipate every movement, every smile, every new word. [You can learn more about developmental milestones here!]
And you worry. Is my child developing as she should? Is there anything that isn’t quite right that might show up later?
As pediatric occupational and physical therapists, there is one subtle issue we see in many preschoolers and other young kids who are struggling with fine motor and gross motor skills.
And that issue is core strength.
So many kids come to school without the strong core muscles they need to hold themselves upright in their chairs, stand in lines for long periods of time, carry their belongings or navigate the playground.
The good news is that you can start watching for this issue early and you can help to fix it through everyday play!
But first things first.
What are weak core Symptoms in Babies?
Weak core symptoms in a baby ages 0 – 4 months:
- Unable to hold their head when being pulled from lying on their back to sitting
- Difficulty holding their head up during tummy time
- When they are being held or carried, difficulty holding their head up and stable
Signs of a weak core in a baby ages 4 – 8 months
- Everything in the previous list and…
- Unable to sit on their own
- Difficulty reaching for items while on their tummy, back or side or when sitting.
- Not yet rolling
- Not grabbing for her feet when on her back
- Difficulty initiating any movement when presented with something she might want (toy, mom, etc)
- Using the head to push himself into positions like when trying to roll or when trying to hold himself in a position.
Weak core symptoms in a baby ages 8 – 12 months
- Everything in the previous list and…
- Unable to get onto his hands and knees
- Not yet crawling or moving distances on her belly
- Uses any support he can get to maintain a posture. For instance, sitting and leaning on the couch or a person. Standing and needing to lean into a table or other support surface.
- Has a hard time getting into standing and/or staying in a standing position
- Prefers w-sitting as a primary form of sitting
Signs of a weak core in a baby ages 12 – 18 months
- Everything in the previous list and…
- Not yet free standing without support
- Not attempting to cruise furniture
- Standing with knees hyperextended or locked out for additional support
- Not bending the knees to retrieve objects from the floor
- Unable to reach outside of their base of support or where their feet are on the floor
- Not crawling up the stairs
- Unable to walk, even with hands held
- Does not attempt to climb over or onto things like cushions on the floor or furniture or stairs
These “red flags” might be indicative of a more serious problem with infant or toddler development stages and a quick conversation with your pediatrician will help to determine if any delays are a concern for further testing. However, with a few simple and playful activities, you can help your child become more stable and confident in her movement patterns and you can sit back and watch those milestones explode!
