Occupational Therapy for Babies and Toddlers
What You Might Notice
From birth to age 3, you might notice that tummy time is hard to tolerate, reaching or grasping takes effort, or everyday sensations bring a strong reaction. Early movement and reflex patterns may be worth discussing too.
How We Help
We consider early movement, sensory reactions, and reflex patterns as part of your baby’s development. When clinically appropriate, we may include primitive reflex assessment. PEAK does not offer feeding therapy.
What Sessions Look Like at Home
Sessions use your baby’s familiar floor space and routines. Parents are hands-on in every session, learning alongside us as we follow the child’s cues.
What This Can Look Like at Different Ages
Newborns and Young Babies
Early movement begins in small awake moments with a parent nearby. If your baby’s reactions, movement, or comfort raise a medical question, start with the pediatrician.
Older Babies
Reaching, grasping, and exploring positions can look different from child to child. We watch how a baby engages with familiar people and objects instead of using a single moment as an answer.
Toddlers
A toddler may be climbing, handling toys, or beginning to take part in dressing. Parents can show us which everyday activity is changing and which part feels hard.
How We Help at Home
We may observe awake floor play, how a baby reaches toward a familiar toy, or how a toddler uses their hands during play. Parents stay close and can ask what we notice about movement and sensory reactions. We may consider early reflex patterns when clinically appropriate, but only in the context of a full evaluation.
Little children show their interests through looking, reaching, and moving in their own ways. We ask caregivers what they notice during awake play and how the baby responds to a familiar person or object. If health, feeding, or sleep is a concern, the pediatrician can guide the family to the appropriate care. OT here focuses on movement, sensory experiences, and participation in early play. We can explain what we notice during a familiar play moment while a parent stays beside the child.
Read more: Tummy Time and Early Movement for Babies · What Happens at a Pediatric OT Evaluation.
Questions Parents Often Ask
Does a baby need a diagnosis to start OT with us?
No. Parents can ask about early movement or play without a diagnosis. A pediatrician should address medical concerns or changes in health.
Are parents hands-on during baby sessions?
Yes. We include parents in every visit and work in a familiar space. We explain the activities we choose for that child after evaluation.
Does PEAK offer feeding therapy for toddlers?
No. PEAK does not offer feeding therapy. Ask your child’s pediatrician for guidance about feeding or swallowing concerns.
A place to begin
Start with a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Tell us about the early movements and reactions you are noticing.
Contact PEAK