SAFELY BUILD STRENGTH
FOR YOUR BABY WITH
DOWN SYNDROME

Children with Down Syndrome typically have low muscle tone, which makes them feel floppy and extremely flexible. Low muscle tone causes decreased strength in the postural control muscles preventing adequate stabilization of the head and trunk. Without good head and trunk stabilization, movement of the arms and legs is significantly decreased and development delays can occur.

For example, a child with Down Syndrome may sit or stand still very well because this requires minimal trunk stability. However, activities such as crawling, rolling over, pulling up to stand and walking may be difficult. These activities require stabilization and balance in their trunk before their arms and legs can move in a coordinated fashion. Weakness in the postural control muscles can also cause difficulty with higher level motor skills such as standing on one foot, hopping, and walking on a straight line.

(See our questions page for more information on postural control muscles.)

In order to prevent baby movement patterns from developing, it is extremely important for children with Down Syndrome to begin an exercise program during the first year of life to strengthen postural control muscles.

Baby Builders helped Hadley walk
Hadley is a precious baby, born with Down syndrome, and therefore born with developmental issues. We weren't sure how hard it would be to teach her to walk or whether she'd even be able to, but the portion of the Baby Builders Video which showed the hand support around the hips resulted in her being able to learn to walk just fine ("just like normal"). We are very thankful for the Baby Builder Video.

Baby Builders provides encouragement and direction for Mom
My sixth child was born with Down syndrome. As a new mother of a special needs child, I was needing encouragement that my little guy’s life was going to be O.K. When I saw a child with Downs in your video and not just healthy children, it gave me such encouragement. It said to me “yes!” there is a place in this world for my son! I live in a smaller community without all the medical opportunities a big city would provide; I am able to get state physical therapy assistance, but the video gave me even more direction. I get so much encouragement from your video. It allows me to progress at my timetable and not to feel helpless in my child’s development. As I reflect on my children born healthy, your video would have been such a great tool to help them get a jump start in the first three years of life. It pays off later. Your goal is so perfect . . . to help children be healthy.