Hypotonia

In general, the muscles of a baby with hypotonia are i) slower to respond to the contraction messages received from the brain, and ii) not able to maintain the intensity of the contraction for an extended time period.  Together, these issues can cause difficulty or delay in sitting independently, crawling or even standing and walking.  This is why hypotonia is usually diagnosed early in life when a baby is not reaching developmental milestones when expected.

Check out these videos to see examples of babies exhibiting hypotonia symptoms with varying degrees of severity.

Special Note to Parents: The information on this site is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical, healthcare or diagnostic advice.  Check with your pediatrician or a physical therapist to assess your baby’s particular needs and to determine the appropriateness of any physical activity or exercise regimen.