Low Muscle Tone

If your child is having trouble reaching certain developmental milestones, hypotonia may be to blame. A child is said to have low muscle tone ? hypotonia ? if muscles are on the loose, floppy side, says Danielle Keeton, MACCC-SLP, director of Le Bonheur Early Intervention and Development. Children with low muscle tone often have delayed motor skills, muscle weakness and coordination problems.

Hypotonia is often associated with diagnoses like Down syndrome, Hypothyroidism and other genetic or neurological impairments. This type of hypotonia is more easily identified. However, mild hypotonia, often noticeable to parents, may not be noticed by others.

The research is also mixed about the effectiveness of intervention for children with only mild hypotonia. Some pediatricians may prefer the "wait and see" strategy, while others may seek evaluations by professionals, like physical therapists.

As a parent, it's always important to trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone else and can have a "sixth sense" when something just doesn't seem right.

Early motor milestones to watch for include:

By 3 months

• Lifting head and chest while lying on tummy
• Wiggling and kicking arms and legs

By 6 months

• Sitting with only a little support and holding head steady

By 12 months

• Crawling on hands and knees
• Pulling up to stand and moving around while holding on to furniture

By 18 months

• Walking without any help
• Running stiffly with eyes focusing on the ground

By 24 months

• Bending over to pick up toys without falling over
• Walking up steps without help

If your child's floppy muscles are creating delays in early motor milestones, it may be beneficial to obtain an evaluation from a professional. An evaluation can provide you with a piece of mind; even if you discover during the process that there was nothing to worry about. You can discuss your preference for an evaluation with your pediatrician and can also contact the local early intervention system. Each state has an early intervention system for infants and toddlers that can assist you in finding a professional to evaluate your child's condition.