“Why does my baby feel floppy when I pick them up?” “Why do their arms or legs seem so stiff?” Parents often notice these differences before they know the words hypotonia and hypertonia. If you are concerned about how your child moves, you do not need to work out the cause on your own.
What Is Hypotonia?
Hypotonia means low muscle tone. A baby with hypotonia may feel unusually floppy when held, have difficulty controlling their head or find it harder to maintain a position during play. Low muscle tone is different from muscle weakness, though both can occur together. Hypotonia describes a finding; an assessment is needed to understand its cause.
What Is Hypertonia?
If your baby or child seems unusually stiff, you may be wondering whether increased muscle tone could be involved. Hypertonia means increased muscle tone. An arm or leg may resist movement, and stiffness may make positioning or changing positions difficult. A healthcare professional can assess whether increased tone is present and what may be causing it.
Hypertonia vs Hypotonia: What Is the Difference?
| What a parent may notice | What a clinician may assess |
| A baby feels unusually floppy or has difficulty holding their head steady | Low muscle tone, or hypotonia |
| A child’s limbs feel unusually stiff or resist movement | High muscle tone, or hypertonia |
This hypertonia vs hypotonia comparison can help you describe what you are seeing. It cannot diagnose your child. If you are concerned about tone, movement or missed milestones, speak with your child’s doctor.
How Can WINGS Support a Baby With Muscle Tone Differences?
At WINGS Therapy Center, the first step is to understand how your baby moves in everyday situations. Can they lift and turn their head, move during floor play, roll or begin to sit? These observations help the team discuss goals that are meaningful for your child.
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) uses guided movement activities to give babies and children opportunities to practise postural control, balance and movement transitions. Activities must be selected and adapted to the child’s abilities and response. DMI may be considered as part of a WINGS movement-based developmental programme where appropriate.
What Is IMOT Therapy?
At WINGS, IMOT stands for Intensive Model of Therapy. Parents may come across terms such as “IMOT therapy” or “intensive therapy” when looking for programmes that provide more frequent sessions over a defined period. Depending on a child’s assessment and goals, an intensive programme may include DMI and other appropriate activities. It is not automatically the right choice for every child.
Does your baby feel unusually floppy or stiff? Speak with their doctor about an assessment. You can also contact WINGS to discuss your concerns and explore appropriate support for your child’s movement goals. Contact WINGS on WhatsApp to arrange an assessment.