Benefits of Physical/Occupational Therapy for Premature Babies
Welcoming a premature baby can be sudden, exciting, and even scary at times. In this blog, we will explore what exactly prematurity means and the benefits of physical and occupational therapy to improve the developmental outcome of these babies!
Prematurity is defined as birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed according to the World Health Organization. Further classifications of preterm birth are as follows:
- Extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks gestational age)
- Very preterm (28 weeks gestational age to less than 32 weeks gestational age) - Moderate to late preterm (32 weeks gestational age to 37 weeks gestational age)
Prematurity effects more than 1 in 10 babies (as of 2020) and comes with a wide variety of obstacles, including feeding challenges, decreased strength, delayed motor milestones, and more. However, with the right team and collaboration between families and providers, these obstacles won’t stop these babies from reaching their full potential! Below are just a few of the reasons to have a physical and/or occupational therapist as part of the support team.
1. Promoting Health Development
Due to their early arrival, many premature babies experience delays in reaching developmental milestones. Physical/occupational therapists can help to address these delays by providing specifically tailored exercises and activities to ensuring skills such as rolling, sitting, and crawling are achieved in the appropriate order and in the appropriate time.
2. Enhancing Muscle Strength and Coordination
Many premature babies exhibit low muscle tone, also called hypotonia, and is often paired with lower muscle strength. This means that their muscles have to work a little harder to complete the same movements as peers which can impact their ability to move. Physical/occupational therapists use specialized manual techniques and exercises to work through muscle tone to improve muscle strength and ability to coordinate movement.
3. Facilitating Feeding Skills
Feeding is one of the most common challenges experienced by premature babies. Feeding reflexes are not as well-established in premature babies leading to difficulties with the suck, the swallow, or both. Physical/occupational therapists that specifically work with infants with feeding difficulties use oral motor exercises, positioning adjustments, and body work to improve the ability of the baby to latch and feed effectively from breast and/or bottle.
4. Supporting Sensory Integration
Premature babies may have a heightened sensitivity to sensations they experience after birth, including light, sound, smell, taste, and even movement. Physical/occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to support these babies by gradually introducing various sensory experiences in a way that will not be overwhelming. Creating a safe environment for new experiences helps promote healthy sensory integration and prevent future issues with sensory processing.
5. Education for Parents and Caregivers
One of the most vital roles of physical and occupational therapists is their ability to educate parents and caregivers about specific needs for their babies. From proper handling and positioning to purposeful play, physical and occupational therapists strive to empower each family to feel confident in their ability to care for their child and strengthen the bond with their child.
The benefits of physical and occupational therapy for premature babies are multifaceted and clearly documented. From building strength and learning appropriate movement patterns to providing education
and support for families, physical and occupational therapy plays a crucial role in the early lives of these babies. Early intervention is proven to improve outcomes, allowing premature babies to thrive as they continue to grow and develop.
For more information on how your premature baby would benefit from individualized physical/ occupational therapy treatment, feel free to reach out to us at https://www.yearonewellness.com/contact. Our team of clinicians are pediatric physical therapists and certified breastfeeding specialists, and we are here to help! Year One Wellness offers virtual consultation everywhere and in-person consultations in and around Austin, TX.
