Looking for trusted resources and local businesses that support children with disabilities and their families? In this post, we highlight inclusive, family-focused organizations like Motherhood Alliance, WisconSibs, Beyond ABC, Inclusion Community Center, and Innovative Growth—all dedicated to helping children grow through education, movement, therapy, and emotional support. Whether you're seeking pediatric developmental classes, adaptive fitness programs, sibling support, or holistic care, these local gems offer the tools and community your family needs to thrive. Discover how these small businesses are making a big difference for families raising children with disabilities.

As children grow and develop, their orthotic needs can change—sometimes quickly. In this blog post, we break down the top signs that your child's ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) or supramalleolar orthoses (SMOs) may need to be updated. From rapid growth spurts and changes in walking patterns to visible wear and tear, knowing what to look for ensures your child continues to get the support they need for balance, mobility, and comfort. Learn how regular check-ins, proper fit, and timely adjustments can keep your child’s orthotic journey on the right track. If you're noticing red marks, limping, or outgrown footplates, it might be time for a replacement.

When your baby starts wearing a cranial remolding helmet to treat plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) or brachycephaly (widened head shape), it’s natural to wonder: How soon will I see a difference? While every child is unique, there are some key factors that influence how quickly head shape correction can occur.

Let's take a look at what impacts helmet therapy timelines and how growth plays a big role—especially in younger babies.

Looking for ways to help your child love their AFOs or SMOs? In this guide, we share creative, parent-approved tips to make pediatric orthotics fun, engaging, and a positive part of your child’s daily routine. From choosing colorful orthotic designs to using playful language and celebrating milestones, discover how to turn AFOs and SMOs into empowering tools that support your child’s mobility, confidence, and development. Whether your child wears custom ankle-foot orthoses or supramalleolar orthoses, these ideas can help build a more joyful and consistent bracing experience.

We offer free consultations to families who have concerns about their baby’s head shape. These appointments are full of education and objective data to help parents make informed decisions have clear understanding of our treatment process.

Lower extremity orthotics, such as AFOs and SMOs, play a crucial role in improving balance, mobility, and strength for children with gait abnormalities, muscle weakness, or neurological conditions. By providing proper alignment, stability, and support, custom orthotics help prevent falls, promote efficient movement, and encourage muscle development.

Torticollis, or 'twisted neck,' can impact a baby's head shape by causing positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) due to limited neck movement and uneven pressure on the skull. Babies with torticollis often develop head flattening, facial asymmetry, and restricted mobility, reinforcing a cycle of muscle tightness and skull changes. Learn how this phenomenon works.

Is your child frequently tripping, toe-walking, or struggling with balance? These could be signs that they need a lower extremity orthotic, such as an AFO or SMO, to support their mobility. Custom pediatric orthotics help improve alignment, stability, and confidence, allowing kids to move more comfortably and reach their developmental milestones. Learn the top five signs your child may benefit from orthotic support and how early intervention can make all the difference.

Is your child struggling with balance, toe-walking, or developmental delays? Pediatric orthotics like AFOs and SMOs provide essential support for proper foot alignment, stability, and muscle development—helping kids reach movement milestones with confidence. Learn how custom orthotics can improve mobility and long-term independence. Schedule a free consultation today to take the next step toward better movement!

Why might one baby develop a flat spot but not another? Although not definitive, there are some known risk factors associated with cranial deformities.

We are proud to offer a variety of options for helmet brands and styles for correcting plagiocephaly and other cranial deformities at Baby Bear. There is no “wrong” choice; we allow families to decide which helmet they feel would work best with their child and their goals. From plastic to 3D, we cover all needs and preferences.

The decision to utilize a helmet is a tough one! While we are here to empower, educate, and support you throughout the journey, we love to ask those who’ve been there - the parents and caregivers - all about their experience with a helmet. Here are a few things they have said about their helmet journey.

It’s probably the most common question we get: “How long do you think my baby will need to wear the helmet?” And - like the answer is to most things - it depends. We can usually offer an educated ballpark estimate but it really does depend on a few important factors: age of the baby, the severity of the flatness, the type of head shape, and the goals of the parents.

Continuing our series, It Takes a Village, we are honored to highlight the value of lactation support. We asked Abby McLaughlin, owner of Mal’s Milky Way, to offer her insight on oral ties and how they could impact a parent’s feeding journey. Here at Baby Bear, we see a high amount of patients who have both torticollis and oral ties, so we appreciate her approach to this sometimes-confusing topic!

Cranial remolding helmets can appear intimidating to parents - especially in the first few weeks of wear. After supporting hundreds of families through their helmet journey, we are here to assure you that it’s not as challenging as one might think; and we are confident that parents would agree. Here are a few things we think you should know about in the early weeks of helmet treatment.

Did you know that you can bring your newborn to the chiropractor? Chiropractors trained in pediatric care use gentle techniques to adjust misalignments in the body caused by birth, muscle tension, and/or torticollis to restore the normal alignment and range of motion of the spine and or other joints.

Most people understand how the position that a baby sleeps in can influence flat spots… but not as many recognize the impact that “containers” (ie., car seats, swings, bouncers, etc.) can have on head shape. If you’re concerned about your baby’s head shape, this article can help you make little changes throughout your day to prevent a flat spot from getting worse.

Postpartum anxiety is a common but often misunderstood condition that can affect new mothers, sometimes even more than postpartum depression. In this article, we'll delve into what postpartum anxiety is, why it occurs, and most importantly, offer 10 strategies of self-care that can be a beacon of comfort during this challenging journey.

Tummy time is a super important part of a baby’s routine - not only for strengthening and progressing developmental milestones but also for preventing the development or worsening of flat spots like plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. Here are our favorite tips for making tummy time enjoyable for everyone involved.

Flat spots can seem intimidating, however, the physics of how they develop and resolve is relatively simple. This article will share the ins and outs of how flat spots form and what can be done to help correct them from birth to toddlerhood.