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Patient Questions  /  Baby's first PT visit

Kids & Babies

What Happens at My Baby's First Physical Therapy Visit?

The first visit is an evaluation that takes about 45 to 60 minutes. The physical therapist asks about your baby's birth, health and daily routines, then watches your baby move and play and gently checks their neck, strength and movement. You stay with your baby the whole time, and you leave with a plan and simple things to practice at home.

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What the therapist does

  • Talks with you about pregnancy and birth, your baby's health, feeding and sleep, the skills your baby has now, and what worries you.
  • Watches your baby play on their back and tummy, and sitting or standing if they are ready.
  • Gently checks how far the neck turns and tilts, head shape, strength, and how your baby uses both sides of the body.
  • Explains what is most likely going on in plain language, and talks through a plan built around your baby, your family's routine and your goals.
  • Sets clear expectations together: how often to come, what progress should look like, and how we work as a team with you and your pediatrician.
  • Starts your home program with a few simple activities.

How to prepare

  • Bring any notes from your pediatrician and a list of your questions.
  • Take short videos on your phone of what worries you at home. Babies don't always show it at the clinic.
  • Dress your baby in comfortable clothes, and bring diapers, a bottle or snack, and a favorite toy.
  • Pick a good time when your baby is usually awake and content, if you can.

Don't worry if your baby cries or falls asleep. That is normal, and the therapist works around it.

When to see a doctor

Call your pediatrician right away, rather than waiting for a therapy visit, if your baby:

  • Has a fever, or seems very sleepy or hard to wake
  • Has a head tilt that started suddenly
  • Suddenly stops using an arm or leg
  • Loses a skill they used to have
  • Is feeding poorly or has fewer wet diapers than usual

How physical therapy at ARI can help

After the evaluation, your physical therapist sets goals with you and plans visits around your baby's needs. Every visit is one-on-one, you are involved the whole time, your home program grows as your baby does, 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: Pediatric physical therapy →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

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.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

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