Does my baby have body tension?
Can babies really have body tension? Does it make them uncomfortable? What can be done to help decrease body tension in babies so they can live their best little baby lives? I’m going to dive into these questions to give you a better understanding of what to look for in your baby and how to help them.
Babies can absolutely have body tension. Think about how you would feel after spending all day on the couch watching Netflix. Pretty stiff, right? Babies spend a prolonged time in roughly the same position while in-utero, with their bodies curved, their heads turned to one side, and their arms/legs flexed up close to their body. Larger babies, babies that have decreased intrauterine space, and babies that feel “stuck” during pregnancy tend to retain their in-utero posture once delivered. If a baby has an ideal vaginal delivery (not too short and not too long), they can work out the muscle tension from their fetal positions. However, C-section, quick delivery, or becoming stuck in the vaginal canal can cause retained or increased body tightness.
Here are some signs to look for to recognize body tension in your baby:
Shoulders raised up by the ears
Constantly fisted hands
Furrowed eyebrows
Difficulty straightening the arms or legs
Red creases in the neck/appearing to have no space in the neck
Head consistently turned to one side during awake or sleep periods
Head consistently tilted to one side with one ear closer to one shoulder
Difficulty latching with breastfeeding
Frequent arching/stiffening of the body
“Colic” inconsolable crying
Disliking tummy time
Aside from causing discomfort, tightness in the body can interfere with essential functions such as feeding, sleeping, and developing. Breast and bottle feeding are full-body activities. To breastfeed efficiently, a baby needs good neck mobility to tip the head back (think about how we drink from a cup) with the shoulders relaxed and arms open. Good posture allows the mouth and tongue to work optimally to transfer milk. A baby with body tension may find it difficult to get in a comfortable position for sleep and have a hard time falling asleep in the bassinet or crib when not being held. If a baby’s tension is causing them to have a head turn preference, they may develop a flat spot on the back of their head from keeping the head turned in one direction during sleep. Tightness makes it more difficult for babies to play in positions that advance development, like tummy time. Babies learn to move their body and lift their head against gravity in tummy time, slowly strengthening their muscles to move them toward rolling, sitting, crawling, and other subsequent motor skills in a progression. Tightness causes discomfort in this foundational and essential play position.
Here are some ways to help decrease body tension in your baby:
Increase play time spent on a flat, firm surface like a blanket on the floor to help babies stretch out with gravity
Mindfully limit time spent in containers like bouncers, swings, and baby loungers
Carry your baby in varying positions
Introduce baby massage into your routine
If you are still noticing signs of body tension, a physical therapist can help decrease tension with hands-on techniques, movement/play activities, and reflex integration strategies to get your baby feeling better. Babies deserve to feel comfortable in their bodies to best be able to do what babies are meant to do – eat, sleep, poop, and play!
What do I do if my baby has signs of body tension?
We recommend seeing a physical therapist who specializes in infant development.
