4 Positions to Try with Hip Helpers

If your physical or occupational therapist has recommended hip helpers, you may be wondering about ways to use them to get the maximum benefit for your child. Here are 4 positions to try with this device to strengthen your child’s trunk and hips and build their functional skills! 

1) Tummy time 

Hip helpers are a great tool to strengthen your child’s glutes (butt muscles) and core in tummy time! Some babies have a hard time pushing up on their arms. Especially in tummy time due to glut and core weakness or “frog legged” positioning. They set your child up for success in tummy time by positioning their legs appropriately straight behind them, which makes it easier to activate the muscles needed to push up and interact with the world.

2) All Fours (Crawling Position) 

Frog legs no more! Hip helpers will assist your child in maintaining appropriate hip positioning in all fours, keeping their knees directly under their hips. This will strengthen your child’s core and hips, as well as setting them up to learn to crawl! In all fours with hip helpers, you can work on rocking and reaching to prepare for crawling. 

3) Tall kneeling 

Set your child up at a surface (a 6” tall box works well!) so that they are kneeling with their hands on the surface and their bottoms off of their heels. This is a tall kneel position. For children who need hip helpers, it can be difficult to maintain this position without dropping into a W sit. Hip helpers will assist your child in maintaining this posture appropriately, and build strength in the hips and core. 

4) Transitions

While this isn’t technically a position, transitioning through different positions is one of the best ways to use these activities! Does your child like to do the splits when they transition from sitting to the floor. Do they like to transition through a W-sit or frog legged position when attempting to get to all fours? If so, hip helpers are here to save the day. Encourage your child to move and groove while wearing this device to help them build strength. This will also assist your child with moving in a more functional pattern. 

Questions or Concerns?

If your child wears hip helpers, try them out in these awesome functional and strength-building positions. If you think your child may need hip helpers and have concerns about your child’s “frog legs” or wide hip positioning, give us a call at 773-687-9241 to set up a consultation with a pediatric physical therapist today! 

Have an older, school age child? Check out our Therapeutic Children’s Academy and see how we can help your entire family reach their maximum potential