Supporting Your Baby’s Early Movement and Development 

The first year of life is a time of rapid growth, learning, and change. Through movement, babies build the foundations for posture, coordination, balance, and confidence. When movement patterns are limited, asymmetrical, or delayed, early support can help guide development in a positive and natural way. 

Paediatric physiotherapy provides gentle, evidenceinformed support for infants who may need extra help with movement development, as well as reassurance and guidance for parents with concerns. 

Infants attend paediatric physiotherapy for a wide range of reasons. Some babies need support with movement development, while others attend for reassurance, guidance, or screening to ensure development is progressing as expected. 

Common reasons include: 

Movement & Motor Development 

• Delays in rolling, sitting, crawling, or early mobility. 

• Difficulty transitioning between positions. 

• Limited movement variety or reduced exploration. 

• Poor head or trunk control. 

Muscle Tone & Strength 

• Low muscle tone (hypotonia). 

• Increased stiffness or tightness. 

• Babies who feel unusually floppy or stiff. 

• Difficulty weightbearing through arms or legs. 

Posture & Alignment 

• Head turning preference or persistent head tilt. 

• Trunk or body asymmetry. 

• Pelvic or lower limb alignment concerns. 

• Positional foot postures. 

• Intoeing, bowed legs (genu varum), or knock knees (genu valgum). 

Tummy Time & Play 

• Strong dislike or distress during tummy time. 

• Difficulty lifting or turning the head in prone. 

• Limited tolerance for floor play. 

Prematurity & Medical History 

• Babies born prematurely. 

• Infants with extended NICU stays. 

• Babies with complex or assisted deliveries. 

• Reduced early movement opportunities due to medical care. 

Early Standing & Walking Concerns 

• Delayed standing or cruising. 

• Reluctance to weightbear through the legs. 

• Uneven weightbearing. 

• Early walking where movement quality appears atypical. 

Screening, Reassurance & Parent Support 

• Parental concern about how a baby moves or plays. 

• Screening to rule out neurological, orthopaedic, or other conditions. 

• Clarifying what is typical development versus when support is helpful. 

• Guidance on positioning, play, and everyday routines. 

Many infants attend physiotherapy without a diagnosis. Early assessment can provide reassurance, education, and timely support where needed. 

What to Expect at Your Appointment 

Your baby’s assessment is calm, unrushed, and babyled. Time is taken to: 

• Discuss your baby’s birth history and medical background. 

• Listen carefully to your concerns. 

• Observe movement, posture, and play in a variety of positions. 

• Assess symmetry, strength, flexibility, and motor skill development. 

• Screen for any signs that may suggest neurological, orthopaedic, or other underlying conditions. 

Rather than focusing on isolated milestones, assessment looks at the overall quality and variety of your baby’s movement, while also ensuring development is progressing within expected limits. 

Our Treatment Approach 

Treatment is gentle, developmentally appropriate, and guided by your baby’s cues. Sessions may include: 

• Supporting ageappropriate motor skills through play. 

• Encouraging symmetrical movement and varied positions. 

• Building strength, control, and body awareness. 

• Adapting everyday positions such as play, feeding, and floor time. 

Parents are actively involved during sessions, ensuring strategies feel manageable and realistic. 

Parent Education & Home Support 

Supporting parents is a central part of infant physiotherapy. You will receive: 

• Clear, parentfriendly explanations of your baby’s movement development. 

• Practical guidance for positioning and play at home. 

• Simple activities that fit naturally into daily routines. 

• Reassurance around what is typical and when support is helpful. 

Home activities are designed to feel achievable and supportive, not overwhelming. 

When to Seek Infant Physiotherapy 

You do not need to wait for a diagnosis or referral to book an appointment. Early assessment can provide reassurance, guidance, and timely support where needed. 

If you have concerns about how your baby is moving, early input can make a meaningful difference.