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Premature babies, born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, often face challenges in muscle development, movement control, and overall growth. Their bodies may be weaker, and they might need extra support to develop essential motor skills.
Neonatal physical therapy focuses on helping premature babies build strength, improve movement, and develop properly.
Strengthening muscles and movement:
Premature babies often have weaker muscles and may struggle with movement. Neonatal physical therapy includes gentle exercises that help strengthen their muscles, improve flexibility, and encourage controlled movements. Simple techniques like stretching and positioning assist in developing muscle tone and preventing stiffness.
Improving head and neck control:
Many premature babies have difficulty holding their heads up or turning their heads properly. Therapists use specific exercises to help strengthen the neck muscles, allowing the baby to gradually gain control over head movements. This is essential for later skills like sitting, crawling, and walking.
Encouraging proper posture and alignment:
Babies born early may develop posture issues due to spending extended time in hospital incubators. Physical therapy helps position the baby correctly, preventing muscle imbalances or deformities. Proper positioning also supports breathing, digestion, and overall comfort.
Improving sensory development:
Premature babies can be more sensitive to touch, sound, and movement. Neonatal physical therapy includes gentle handling techniques to help them become comfortable with different sensations. Slow and controlled movements, skin-to-skin contact, and light massages help babies feel secure and develop their sensory responses.
Supporting reflex development:
Newborns have natural reflexes that help them feed, grasp objects, and move. Premature babies may have weaker or delayed reflexes, making feeding and other activities difficult. Therapists work on stimulating these reflexes, ensuring they develop properly and in time for normal growth milestones.
Assisting with breathing and lung function:
Premature babies often have underdeveloped lungs, which can make breathing difficult. Certain physical therapy techniques, including positioning and gentle exercises help improve lung expansion and breathing patterns. This support is especially useful for babies with respiratory difficulties.
Guiding parents for home care:
Therapists teach parents how to handle, position, and support their premature baby’s physical development at home. Learning the right ways to hold, feed, and move their baby ensures continued progress outside of the hospital. Simple exercises and massages can be done at home to help strengthen the baby’s muscles.
