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Ever watched a baby rock on all fours and wondered whether to cheer or worry? We sit down with pediatric physical therapist Dr. Allison Mell—founder of Tots on Target and mom of four, including twins—to unpack the first 18 months with rare clarity. Allison explains what those “windows” for rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking really tell us, how to use corrected age for preemies, and where “wait and see” becomes a roadblock. She shares a practical test most parents can spot at home: steady progress and quality of movement. If your baby is trending forward with planks, rocking, and symmetrical effort, patience is a plan. If they’re stuck, favoring one side, or plateaued for weeks, a few targeted exercises can change everything.

Crawling takes center stage—but not as a box to check. Allison reveals why it’s the last big dose of upper-body weight-bearing before school, how it feeds shoulder and core strength for writing and self-dressing, and why it supercharges sensory systems (proprioception and vestibular), bilateral coordination, and crossing midline. Those invisible wins show up later in reading fluency, sports, biking, and monkey bars. We also get real about twins and comparisons, intrauterine tightness, reflux and oral ties, and the small stretches and routines that can turn a “content sitter” into an eager explorer. For older kids who skipped crawling, she offers playful strength builders to boost endurance without shame.

Beyond milestones, Allison opens up about survival with newborn twins, the decision to hire night help, and the honest work of protecting a marriage when everyone is exhausted. We dive into risky play within boundaries, coaching language that builds problem-solving (“Sometimes it helps if…”), and why giving kids space to try is a shortcut to self-trust. The theme that runs through it all: you know your child best. If a dismissive “it’s normal” doesn’t sit right, keep asking. You’re not chasing perfection—you’re laying a foundation for a body and brain that feel at home in motion.

If this conversation gave you clarity or courage, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s in the milestone maze, and leave a quick review—what’s one tip you’re trying this week?

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