Child not supporting herself

[Fitrix]

Hi All,
I care for a little girl (3 years old) with Hypermobility - this is where the ligaments are a lot more bendy than they should be. With physio etc, she has progressed fantastically well and is able to walk/climb well now. However when I pick her up, she seems unable to support herself and sits like a sack of potatoes. Another child went to pick her up by grasping her around her legs, and she flew backwards and ended up upside down (fortunately I was there to catch her) - but she had no thought to keep herself upright. Any ideas how I can help her? I know she can support herself - she just won't when she's carried!! I would welcome any suggestions.

[gegele]

i have 2 sibling with mild hypermobility so they walked late and holding them up to sit them in trolley is a challenege as their legs don't go toward the legs hole IYKWIM

i don't hav eadvice but i suppose that it will come with time and i would ask physio about advice

good luck

[hectors house]

Can you ask parents if you can speak directly with physio?

I have a mild form of this condition - my posture is terrible, I am very clumsy and prone to repetitive strain type injuries - exercises that involve using core stability help me with my balance - things like pilates, yoga, stretching, sitting on a swiss fitness ball.

[Fitrix]

Thanks all! Core strength exercises for toddlers!! Will speak with mum. X

[sarah707]

I think you should go back to the physio and ask for more advice.

They are specialists in supporting the child... I'd hate to do something and then find it was the wrong thing.

Hth x

[Mouse]

I think you should go back to the physio and ask for more advice.

They are specialists in supporting the child... I'd hate to do something and then find it was the wrong thing.

Hth x

Couldn't agree more

I worked with a lo who had very little muscle control. The physio actually came to the house to show me exercises to do with them. This particular child was never going to walk, or even stand unaided, but we did manage to get them sitting for short periods of time.

[The Juggler]

maybe the effort of walking is so exhausting that when she is carried she just flops for a bit of recovery time :(

[VeggieSausage]

i look after a child with hypermobility in legs, hips, ankles and he is like a sack of potatoes when picked up etc, he will lean rather than sit and support himself etc. The ongoing physio will help over time but it is a long haul, the muscles are a lot weaker than other children as they are sort of working against each other because over the over elasticatedness of everything. My lo is exactly how you describe yours, it will take many years of lots of physical activity to strengthen all the core muscles up. I noticed something was wrong as soon as I picked up my lo for the first time, very floppy, no muscle control whatsoever, leans on everything, was using a bouncy chair at over a year at home as couldn't sit up well on his own but bit improvements like yours. Do you find that your lo seems quite flat footed almost they have no bounce in them if you know what I mean?....mine wears insoles in his shoes and he is walking and climbing but an overprotective mum who doesn't let him try anything doesn't help!