Know the Warning Signs

Make sure you know what to look for when it comes to your baby’s motor development — it’s a SMArt Move! Your baby’s movement, or lack of movement, will be affected if they have a motor delay or a medical condition like, SMA. These videos break down some of the hallmark symptoms of SMA, offering guidance for what signs to look for and what to do if something doesn’t seem quite right.

Breathing Babies with SMA may experience rapid breathing. Their chest may also appear bell-shaped. Sometimes you’ll notice a baby’s belly predominantly moving, or in a seesaw-like motion, seemingly pulling down the chest.

No Anti-Gravity Movement Does your baby easily lift up her arms and legs? Or is it hard for her to lift up her arms and legs, kick or punch or stretch them? Doctors refer to this as no anti-gravity movement.

Leg Positioning Does your baby often rest her legs in a “frog-like” position? Can she lengthen and stretch her legs independently? Does she lift her legs up from her hips, bending at the knees, kicking? Or is this how she often rests, maintaining a “frog-like” position?

Kicking & Arm Reaching Do your baby’s arms seem to be locked against her trunk, or anchored from her elbows, primarily moving (if at all) from the lower portion of her arm or fingers, rather than at her shoulder? Can she kick her legs? Or reach her arms all the way up to grab a toy or bottle? Does she reach for her mouth?

Floppy Baby Head movement can be particularly tough for a baby with SMA. Does your baby seem “floppy”? When you pick up you child, does it feels like she will slip out of your hands? Can she lift up and hold her head when laying on her belly?

Side-to-Side Head Movement Is your baby able to move her head from side to side when she’s laying on her back? When you are trying to capture your baby’s attention, does she turn her head toward you without difficulty? Or does she look with her eyes, minimally moving her head?

Squirming? Does your baby wiggle or swing her arms from her elbows, with her arms otherwise anchored? Is your baby “squirmy”? Does she wiggle about, kicking and reaching? Or remain mostly still at her core?

Bright Eyed & Smiling Babies with SMA are frequently described as being very bright eyed, engaged and smiling, appearing comfortable and at ease. Because babies with SMA are so often described this way, their bright appearance may even mask some of their symptoms, making them seem less obvious.

SMArt Moves Snapshot Do you have concerns about your baby’s development? Motor delays or missed milestones may be a sign of medical condition like SMA. Early action and early treatment are key. Because there is new hope for young children with SMA. But it’s important to act swiftly and make SMArt Moves.

SMArt Move – Get the Checklist

Download this short survey about your child to help identify any signs of a motor delay.

Click here to download.

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