Physiotherapy
Diastasis Recti in Babies
Diastasis recti is usually linked to pregnancy, but it can also occur in newborns and infants. It happens when the rectus abdominis (the “six-pack” muscles) separate because the connective tissue between them, the linea alba, is stretched or weak. In babies, it often looks like a soft bulge down the middle of the belly, especially when they cry or lift their head. Most cases resolve as babies grow, move and gain strength. When it takes longer, physiotherapy can help your baby build the core strength they need for rolling, sitting and crawling.
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Which babies are more likely to have it?
- Premature babies
- Babies with low muscle tone
- Babies with hypermobility
How can it affect development?
- Weaker core strength, which can affect balance, coordination and breathing
- Taking longer to roll, crawl and sit
- A belly that sticks out more than usual (“Buddha belly”)
- Constipation, and later a slower start to potty training
- An umbilical hernia in some babies (most resolve on their own)
How do babies compensate?
- Pushing up with their arms and shoulders and holding their breath during tummy time
- Arching their back instead of using their belly muscles to roll or sit up
- Rolling or pivoting with one side of their body more than the other
- Bum scooting or a three-legged crawl instead of crawling on hands and knees
- W-sitting as a toddler for extra stability
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When should you see a pediatric physiotherapist?
- Your baby has difficulty reaching gross motor milestones like rolling, crawling and sitting
- An umbilical hernia doesn’t seem to be improving
- You have concerns about your baby’s muscle tone or motor development
- The separation is still wide beyond 12 to 18 months
This is not an exhaustive list. Please contact our clinic for more information.
In a nutshell
How can we help your baby?
- Assessing your baby using a whole body approach
- Building core strength through play, with tummy time, side-lying, rolling and crawling
- Guiding movements to improve rib cage and trunk alignment and switch on the core muscles
- Releasing tightness in the trunk using a fascia release technique
- Providing positioning tips and tricks, including how to make tummy time easier
- Monitoring your baby’s gross motor milestones as they grow
