Small Strides Physical Therapy

Small Strides Physical Therapy Small Strides PT is a private, mobile, pediatric PT business created by Erin Ward PT, DPT

Baby containers are a wonderful choice to give yourself a moment, but ultimately should be used sparingly. The more time...
02/17/2025

Baby containers are a wonderful choice to give yourself a moment, but ultimately should be used sparingly. The more time your baby is stuck in a container the less time they are on the ground moving freely in age appropriate ways.

One of my favorite ways to decrease container time is to GET YOUR BABY OUT OF THEIR CARSEAT. Once you are done in the car, place them in an alternative, such as a baby wearing or a stroller bassinet. These allow for slightly more movement and don’t restrict your baby the way a car seat does.

Follow along for more guidance on early development, torticollis and flat head from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

Looking back on 2024 I feel very fortunate to have worked with so many amazing families.  I can’t wait to see all the in...
01/09/2025

Looking back on 2024 I feel very fortunate to have worked with so many amazing families. I can’t wait to see all the incredible littles coming my way in 2025! ♥️♥️

What does this mean?  Why does this matter?Well, often when changes are noted in a babies face or head shape, recommenda...
12/17/2024

What does this mean? Why does this matter?

Well, often when changes are noted in a babies face or head shape, recommendations are to wait and monitor for improvements and then refer for a helmet assessment.

This research study shows that a helmet will not entirely fix the underlying problems that most likely have lead to your baby getting flatness through their skull or changes in their facial development. These babies have a high likelihood of abnormalities in their neck muscles that can contribute to continued asymmetries and difficulty with movement.

If your child has facial or cranial asymmetries they should be assessed as soon as possible by a pediatric therapist.

Follow along for more information on torticollis/side preferences, plagiocephaly/head flatness and early development from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

Data taken from the APTA clinical practice guidelines.

Come join Ally, from , and myself for a tummy time class you won’t forget!  Mini Movers class meets your baby where they...
12/01/2024

Come join Ally, from , and myself for a tummy time class you won’t forget! Mini Movers class meets your baby where they’re at and helps to make movement fun, as well as answers any developmental questions you have about infant feeding, early milestones, baby containers, side preferences, flat head and so much more!

Ally  and I are excited to be hosting our Tummy Time Mini Movers class  on Wednesday December 4th at 11-12. Come and lea...
11/12/2024

Ally and I are excited to be hosting our Tummy Time Mini Movers class on Wednesday December 4th at 11-12. Come and learn how to progress your child’s developmental skills and ask all your questions about feeding, sensory, containers, torticollis/side preference, torticollis/flat head, and so much more!

ITS NOT JUST ABOUT HEAD SHAPE!!!The number of times I have heard the phrase “it’s just cosmetic” about the shape of a he...
10/31/2024

ITS NOT JUST ABOUT HEAD SHAPE!!!

The number of times I have heard the phrase “it’s just cosmetic” about the shape of a head or symmetry of a face, is truly baffling. The development of a head ultimately dictates the development of 👂, 👀, and 👄. Within these structures we house our balance, vision, and speech centers, all of which are vital for a child’s well being.

Additionally, a study cited within the 2024 APTA Torticollis Clinical Practice Guidelines show that children with asymmetries in their head and face have as much as a 22-fold increase in abnormal sonograms for congenital muscular torticollis. More needs to be done for these children than just referring for a helmet because it’s more than just a cosmetic fix.

If your child has plagiocephaly, flat head, or changes in their facial features reach out to a local infant therapist today!

Follow along for guidance around the early development, torticollis/side preference, and flat head/plagiocephaly from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

Sargent, Barbara PT, PhD, PCS; Coulter, Colleen PT, DPT, PhD, PCS; Cannoy, Jill PT, DPT, PCS; Kaplan, Sandra L. PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA. Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2024 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Pediatric Physical Therapy 36(4):p 370-421, October 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001114

Far too often, I get reports of “lazy babies”. I am here to tell you there is no such thing. Babies are not lazy. They w...
10/24/2024

Far too often, I get reports of “lazy babies”. I am here to tell you there is no such thing. Babies are not lazy. They want to move and if they aren’t, there is usually some tightness and/or weakness contributing to their difficulties. If your baby isn’t demonstrating age appropriate developmental milestones reach out to a local therapist today to help them feel good in their bodies and get moving!

Follow along for more guidance around early development, torticollis and plagiocephaly from a pediatric PT and mom of two. ♥️

Ally from  and I are so excited to be back offering Mini Movers Movement classes . This will be a pop up offering on Wed...
10/22/2024

Ally from and I are so excited to be back offering Mini Movers Movement classes . This will be a pop up offering on Wednesday November 6th from 11-12. Come and learn how to make tummy time enjoyable for your baby and get all of your questions around feeding, early development, torticollis, plagiocephaly, baby containers and more answered. We can’t wait to see you there!

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Newburyport, MA
01950

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