First Steps Pediatric Therapy

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First Steps Pediatric Therapy Hi! I’m Marisa. I provide in-home pediatric physical therapy for babies and toddlers in Mercer County & surrounding areas.

I specialize in head shape, side preference/torticollis, early milestones and movement, and reflex integration.

09/11/2026

Physical therapy for babies isn’t just for delays—it can be one of the most proactive things you do as a parent.

I look at the full picture: how your baby moves, where they hold tension, and how their body is developing from the very beginning.

Because when we catch small imbalances early, we can support better alignment, smoother milestones, and more confident movement.

And the best part? It’s gentle, play-based, and completely tailored to your baby.

This is wellness-based pediatric PT 🤍

DM me “CHECK” to schedule a developmental check-in.

plagiocephaly

08/10/2026

Your baby’s head shape isn’t just cosmetic—it’s a clue.

Flat spots are most often linked to torticollis and positioning in utero, meaning there’s underlying tightness and imbalance.

That tightness doesn’t just affect the head… it can impact:
• posture
• alignment
• motor skills
• coordination

When the body isn’t moving symmetrically, development can be harder than it needs to be.

✨ The good news: when caught early, it’s highly treatable.

Don’t “wait and see.” Early support makes everything easier—for your baby and for you.

DM me “HELP” to see how I can help your baby’s head shape 💛

07/30/2026

If your baby is being recommended a helmet and physical therapy wasn’t even mentioned… I’d pause.

🚩 No assessment of movement
🚩 No discussion of side preference
🚩 No plan to address tightness

Flat spots are usually a symptom — not the root problem.

A helmet can help reshape the head, but if the cause isn’t addressed, you may continue to see asymmetry.

The best outcomes come from treating BOTH.

If you’re not sure what your baby actually needs, I can take a look.

📩 DM me ‘HEAD’ for more info

07/08/2026

✨ Big news over here! ✨

I’m officially a Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialist (CPRCS) 🤍

So what does that actually mean for your child?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with that should naturally integrate as they grow. When they don’t fully integrate, it can impact things like:
• Rolling, crawling, walking
• Balance & coordination
• Posture & strength
• Even attention and body awareness

This advanced training allows me to look deeper at your child’s movement patterns and get to the root of what’s going on — not just treat the symptoms.

Whether your child has torticollis, a flat head, delays, or you just have that gut feeling something is off… this is another way I can support you 🤍

📍Serving Central NJ | In-home sessions
💌 DM “CHECK” to schedule a developmental check-in

06/22/2026

Tummy time doesn’t have to be a struggle 🙃

If your baby cries the second you put them on their belly, try these 2 simple changes:

✨ Roll them into tummy time instead of placing them there
✨ Help tuck their elbows under their shoulders and hands in front for better support

These small adjustments can make tummy time feel easier, more comfortable, and way less frustrating (for both of you!)

Consistency > perfection 💛

Save this to try later & DM me “TUMMY” if you want help making a plan for your baby!

06/12/2026

You don’t need a million toys to support your newborn’s development 🤍

Here are my top 3 realistic activities you can start today:

✨ Clapping + gentle reaching while on their back
✨ Chest-to-chest tummy time
✨ Football hold carry

These simple, everyday positions help build strength, body awareness, and early movement skills without adding more to your plate 💛

Little moments = big impact over time 🧠💪

✨ Not sure if your baby is on track or want personalized support?
DM me “BABY” or fill out my inquiry form to get started!

05/18/2026

When I say I work on “core and neck strength” as a pediatric PT… people picture baby sit-ups and workouts 🏋️‍♀️

But what I actually mean is this 👇

✨ Helping your baby lift and turn their head during tummy time
✨ Building strength for rolling, sitting, and crawling
✨ Supporting midline control (hands to feet, hands to mouth!)
✨ Improving posture and positioning for play + feeding
✨ Addressing things like torticollis, head shape, and movement patterns

It’s not about exercises… it’s about how your baby moves, explores, and develops 🤍

Strong core + neck = the foundation for every milestone that comes next.

If something feels off or your baby is struggling with these skills, you don’t have to wait 🤍

grossmotordevelopment torticollis plagiocephaly

05/15/2026

Before your baby takes their first steps… they should be able to stand on their own 👣

Independent standing is a HUGE milestone that often gets overlooked.

Here’s why it matters:
• Builds balance without relying on support
• Helps your baby learn how to shift weight safely
• Develops core and leg strength needed for walking
• Creates confidence before taking those first steps

When babies skip or rush through this stage, you may see:
• Walking that looks rushed or unstable
• Frequent falls
• Difficulty stopping or changing direction

🚩 When to seek support:
If your baby is not attempting to stand independently (even for a few seconds) by around 12–15 months, it’s a good idea to check in with a pediatric PT.

Early support can make a BIG difference and help them feel more confident and steady on their feet.

Save this to come back to when your little one is getting close to walking 🤍

momtips babydevelopment newmomlife milestonematters

05/14/2026

Why I did this with my 2 month old as a pediatric PT 👇

This simple movement isn’t just an “exercise” —
it’s something I naturally built into our daily routine.

Instead of picking my baby straight up, I would:

✨ Support behind her head
✨ Slowly bring her up from a reclined position on my lap
✨ Let her participate in the movement

Here’s why I love it:

✔️ It builds early head control
✔️ Encourages hands + head toward midline
✔️ Gently activates their core
✔️ Helps them learn how to move with you

And the best part?
👉 You can do this every single time you pick your baby up

These small, intentional moments add up in a BIG way for development

💬 DM me “BABY” if you want more simple, PT-backed ways to support your newborn at home

infantdevelopment postpartum newmomlife grossmotorskills babymilestones

05/13/2026

One tummy time mistake I see ALL the time as a pediatric PT 👇

Using a Boppy pillow is great… but if your baby’s arms are just hanging straight over the front, we’re missing a HUGE opportunity.

👉 When the arms hang:

* Less weightbearing through the forearms
* Harder to lift the head up high
* Babies fatigue faster (aka hate tummy time sooner)

✨ Instead, gently scoop those arms in under the shoulders.

This simple adjustment:
✔️ Promotes strong weightbearing through the forearms
✔️ Helps baby push up and lift their head higher
✔️ Improves overall tolerance (longer, happier tummy time 🙌)

Small tweak… big difference.

Save this for your next tummy time session & send me a message if you want me to check your setup!

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Princeton
Princeton, NJ

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