Leaps and Bounds Therapy’s owner, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT, was featured on the Sleepy Qs podcast. Sleepy Q, hosted by Linda Szmulewitz and Jessica Sawicki are certified sleep consultants and help answer the many questions that are asked by families around the world. Leaps and Bounds Therapy is a home-based provider for families in the Chicago and Northern Suburbs areas. Have questions about your child’s gross motor development? Want to learn more about all of the ways that pediatric physical therapy can help your child move through their milestones and master all of the essential skills of early childhood? Click to listen to Sleepy Qs podcast interview with Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT.
When to Seek Help
One of the most valuable takeaways from the interview was Aneri’s advice on when to seek professional help. She emphasized that therapy for young children is never going to hurt and can be incredibly beneficial, even if it’s just for an evaluation.
“You don’t have to wait until there’s a true delay,” Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT advised. “You can be proactive.”
While pediatricians often recommend a “wait and see” approach, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT suggests that there’s more potential harm in waiting than in pursuing an evaluation. Early Intervention programs are available in all states (though qualification criteria may vary) for children from birth to three years old.
The Importance of Crawling
When asked about children who skip crawling and go straight to walking, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT stressed that crawling is an extremely important developmental milestone. It’s not just about mobility but also about:
- Coordinating both sides of the body
- Developing strength needed for both gross and fine motor skills
- Building muscles in the shoulder blades, trunk, core, and legs
- Creating neural pathways that benefit coordination and body awareness
She noted that children who don’t crawl might later struggle with body awareness, coordination, and using the muscles in the back of their body properly.
“Back to Sleep” Campaign
Sleepy Q brought up that the “Back to Sleep” campaign, while critical for preventing SIDS, has contributed to an increase in babies developing flat spots on their heads.
For babies with moderate to severe flat spots, helmets can be effective, especially when implemented early. However, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT emphasized that it’s important to understand the underlying cause:
- If the flat spot is on the side, there might be a muscle imbalance
- Physical therapy may be needed alongside helmet therapy
- Flat spots aren’t just cosmetic—they can potentially affect the jaw, TMJ, and even how glasses fit later in life
How Movement Affects Sleep
For parents concerned about sleep, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT offered insight into how physical development and sleep are interconnected:
- The ability to roll independently is one of the first steps in self-regulation
- When babies can move into comfortable positions on their own, they sleep better
- Developmental milestones often cause temporary sleep regressions
- Working on transitions (like getting from standing to sitting) during wake times can help babies navigate these positions during sleep
Tips for Parents
Throughout the interview, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT offers practical advice for supporting development:
- Varied Positions: Give babies experience playing on their back, side, and tummy
- “Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play”: Follow safe sleep guidelines, but maximize tummy time during wake periods
- Support Independence: Help babies learn to get in and out of positions on their own rather than always rescuing them
- Address Medical Issues: Problems like reflux can impact posture and development, creating a cycle that affects sleep and feeding
When to Get Help
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT encourages seeking an evaluation. Intervening early can make a significant difference, and all while working with a physical therapist can give parents tools and confidence to support their child’s development.
Remember that therapy is collaborative—it’s about empowering parents with understanding and strategies they can implement at home. As Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT puts it, “No two children are the same,” and physical therapy helps parents understand why their child moves the way they do and how to incorporate helpful exercises into daily routines.
This blog post is based on an interview with Dr. Aneri Bhansali, PT, DPT, Owner/Founder of Leaps and Bounds Therapy, from the SleepyQ podcast hosted by Linda Szmulewitz and Jessica Sawicki. Check out Sleepy Qs podcast interview with Aneri Bhansali.
For more information, please contact us at: (847) 242-1917 or admin@leapsandboundsil.com