Signs of Core Weakness (0-18 months)

How do you know if your little one has a weak core? Sometimes it’s really obvious but other times it isn’t as easy to tell. Not only that but there are multiple components to core strength. Your core needs to be strong in order to activate the muscles and cause your body to move like when you are doing a sit up. It also needs to be strong so that it can hold your core stable and stop it from moving. Why would you want to stop it from moving you may ask? Well your core needs to stay stable so you can use your arms and legs and head efficiently. Try to imagine your core was like cooked noodles and you were trying to look at something or reach for something? Wouldn’t be very effective would it. But if you can hold the core stable it’s easier to move your head, arms, and legs. And yes, there is a difference between holding it still and stable when you are staying still and stable such as sitting upright quietly, versus holding it stable while you are moving. Both require stability but when you walk, or reach, your core needs to allow some movement but still stay stable. Am I confusing you yet? Hopefully not too much!

Now I am going to talk about a few things you might see on your little one that may indicate core weakness. And, just because there may be core weakness doesn’t mean it’s a problem. I guarantee all of us have core weakness and we manage to function just fine. It’s a problem when it interferes with their ability to function and participate in age appropriate play and skills.

If your child has a history of torticollis or low muscle tone, there are going to have weakness in their core. You should reach out to a PT if this is the case.

0-4 months

• Difficulty with lifting the head up off the ground during pull to sit
• Difficulty with lifting and turning the head while on their belly
• Difficulty supporting or controlling the head when they are in supported sitting or being carried

4-8 months

• Difficulty reaching for items regardless of position (tummy, back, side, sitting)
• Not attempting to roll (by 6 months you should talk to your doctor or a PT)
• Not grabbing or reaching for feet when on the back
• Doesn’t really try to move, prefers to stay in one place even if there is something really motivating they want
• Unable to sit
• Uses their head on the ground as if it is an arm or a leg to help with movement/to stabilize the body so they can move
• Everything listed in the previous age range

8-12 months

• Unable to get onto hands and knees
• Unable to crawl and/or move on their belly
• Doesn’t attempt to get into standing
• Slumps into all support – the minute there is support they sink into it like we would on the couch at the end of a long day
• Difficulty maintaining standing at support
• Prefers to w-sit
• Everything listed in the previous age ranges

12-15 months

• Not attempting to lift hands off the support surface in standing
• Not attempting to cruise
• Doesn’t bend knees in standing (or bounce like they are dancing)
• Doesn’t reach for things that are a little further away from them
• Doesn’t attempt to take steps with support
• Doesn’t crawl up stairs
• Everything listed in the previous age ranges

15-18 months

• Not walking
• Difficulty maintaining balance when standing still
• Doesn’t attempt a step with hands held
• Unable to walk on uneven ground or navigate obstacles
• Unable to climb/doesn’t attempt to climb
• Everything listed in the previous age ranges

I know a lot of these look like they are milestones, and they are. But the core is so important in helping your little one reach their milestones.