Kids & Babies
The best thing you can do is give your baby lots of awake time on the floor: tummy time, playing on their back and side, and reaching for toys. Limit time in car seats, swings and bouncers to travel and short breaks. Play and move with your baby every day, and bring up any worries at well-baby checkups.
You don't need special equipment. Fold practice into things you already do, like diaper changes, bath time and play. Babies learn by repeating, so a few minutes many times a day adds up. Praise every try, even the wobbly ones.
Every baby develops on their own timeline. The CDC's free milestone checklists and its Milestone Tracker app can help you know what to watch for and what to ask about.
Talk with your pediatrician if your baby:
If your baby needs extra help, a pediatric physical therapist builds a plan around your baby's skills and your family's routine. Visits are one-on-one and play-based with you involved, you get a home program, and we coordinate with your pediatrician.
At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi. We can usually see new pediatric patients within 1–2 weeks.
Read our full guide: Gross motor delays →
Ready to feel better?
Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.
Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026