Tiny Toes Children's Physiotherapy

14/12/2023

This is so important and I get a lot of questions from parents about baby equipment.

It’s very frustrating and so dangerous that so many unsafe products are sold and marketed to parents. If in doubt about safe sleep the lullaby trust https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk has lots of invaluable information

A shocking number of dangerous baby products are making their way into family homes throughout the UK. ITV Regional News revealed today that many parents are unaware that products they’re buying from online marketplaces could suffocate, strangle or even choke their baby. Products assessed by a pan...

16/10/2023

12/10/2023

Love these play ideas for combining gross motor, cognitive and language skills 🗣️📖 👶🏼👣

Start reading to baby as early as possible! Whether it’s picture books or storybooks, reading helps build baby’s vocabulary from the time they’re born. 👶🏽

Try out these different ways to incorporate reading in baby's daily routine! 📖

More tips to read to baby:
https://pathways.org/watch/reading-books-to-baby/

To track baby's milestones download the FREE Pathways.org app: https://pathways.org/mobile-app/

06/02/2023

Do you ever find yourself looking at what your child can or can't do compared to others their age? Baby groups, the park, the school run, sometimes it can be hard not to!

It's important to remember all children are different and can develop skills at different times. Lots of factors can affect gross motor development such as:
the environment, genetics, prematurity, motivation, personality and play skills. Even twins can achieve milestones at different ages.

Whilst this means you shouldn't compare children's development with others, it can also make it hard to know when there is a development or movement problem that needs addressing.

Gut instinct is really important. If you're ever unsure or worried about your child's development or movement, always seek advice from a health professional. This can be their GP, health visitor, NHS or private physio.

You can contact us to discuss your child via:

💻 https://www.tinytoesphysio.co.uk/contact
📧 tinytoesphysio@gmail.com

31/01/2023

Does your child "W" sit❓
If the answer is yes but only briefly before moving into a different position this is okay. If they are sitting and staying in the "W" position to play, this is not advised.

Why is prolonged "W" sitting not advised❓
▪️It gives a wide sitting base meaning tummy muscles don't have to work as much.
▪️It can cause tightness in some of the muscles of the hip.
▪️It can contribute to in-toeing/pigeon toed walking pattern.

What can you do about it❓
Try to encourage your child to sit with their legs in front of them, crossed or in side sitting instead.
You can help to reposition their legs or use verbal prompts such as "legs out".

Why is side sitting important❓
▪️Gets tummy muscles working hard which helps to strengthen them.
▪️Encourages reaching across the body which is important for fine motor skills.
▪️Helps with weight bearing through hands which strengthens shoulders and provides lots of sensory feedback to the brain.
▪️It links movements together such as sitting to lying on tummy, crawling and into kneeling.

❗If your child is struggling to sit unaided or can't move in and out sitting, you can contact Tiny Toes for an assessment and advice via:

💻 https://www.tinytoesphysio.co.uk
📧tinytoesphysio@gmail.com

25/01/2023

Brilliant campaign from Action Cerebral Palsy to raise awareness of the early signs of cerebral palsy in babies. If you are concerned about any of the below signs, you should contact your child's health visitor or GP.

⏱With cerebral palsy, research has shown early diagnosis & intervention provide the best possible outcomes. This means the quicker interventions like physiotherapy can start, the better.

At Tiny Toes, we have lots of experience working with babies & young children with neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy. To discuss your child, you can contact us on:

📧tinytoesphysio@gmail.com
💻https://www.tinytoesphysio.co.uk/contact

For more information on Action Cerebral Palsy's awareness campaign please see:
https://actioncp.org/awareness-campaign/

❗️If your child was born premature, remember to correct their age when looking at their developmental milestones.

16/01/2023

We know tummy time is important, but it is hard work for babies, which can sometimes make it hard work for parents too.

Tummy time needs to be completed little and often everyday. The more your baby practises, the stronger they will get and the easier they will find it.

⏱Perseverance is key! You can start off small, even 30 seconds of tummy time is a great start. Then aim to build this up slowly each day.

✅ Try our tummy time tips to help your baby tolerate tummy time for longer, enjoy it more and to help build it into your daily routines.

If your baby is still struggling or you're concerned that they can't lift their head when on their tummy, you can contact us via:

💻 https://www.tinytoesphysio.co.uk
📧tinytoesphysio@gmail.com

🚫IMPORTANT🚫 : tummy time must only be practised in the day time when your baby is awake and supervised. Your baby must be placed on their back to sleep, check out the Lullaby Trust https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk for more info on safe sleep.

09/01/2023

Tummy time has many benefits for babies development, including gross motor, visual, sensory & fine motor skills.

However, tummy time is just one piece of the puzzle. Babies should also have some play time:

🧩 Lying on their backs.
🧩 Lying on both sides.
🧩 In sitting.
🧩 During cuddles.
🧩 Being held & carried in different positions.

🚫IMPORTANT🚫: Your baby must be placed on their back to sleep. Tummy time must only be practised in the day time when your baby is awake and supervised. See the Lullaby Trust https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk for more info on safe sleep.

If your baby dislikes tummy time- you are not alone! Keep your eyes peeled for our next post for tummy time tips 👍

04/12/2022

If your baby was born prematurely or with significant birth history- Tiny Toes can help.

We can provide highly specialist assessment, advice & treatment to support gross motor development, specifically tailored to babies born prematurely.

You can contact us via:

💻https://www.tinytoesphysio.co.uk
📧 tinytoesphysio@gmail.com

01/12/2022

Useful information about typical stages of play 🧸🧩

What stage of play is your child 👧 in? Track your child's progression through these 6 stages of play, from birth to 4+ years as they learn to develop their curiosity and social skills.

Please note: These stages are general guidelines for what to expect of your child’s play skills, but remember every child is different and if you have concerns bring them up with your healthcare provider.⁠

➡️ Learn more about the 6 stages of play: https://pathways.org/kids-learn-play-6-stages-play-development/

28/11/2022

❓Are you worried about your child's gross motor skills

❓Is your child on a waiting list for NHS physiotherapy but you would like a quicker appointment

❓Does your child have a diagnosis that affects their movement

Tiny Toes can help ✅ See what other parents think about our services here: https://www.tinytoesphysio.co.uk/testimonials

17/11/2022

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Every year, over 10% of the 130 million babies worldwide are born preterm. That's around 1 in 10 babies.

World prematurity day aims to raise awareness of babies born preterm, the difficulties they and their families can face and the importance in ensuring they receive the specialist care and support they need to help them to thrive. It is a privilege and a joy that I get to work with many premature babies & their families, both in my NHS role and here at Tiny Toes.

This the theme is (KMC). KMC is prolonged, continuous skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby and it has many proven benefits, including:
•Improved temperature regulation
•Infection prevention
•Improved breastmilk production
•Positive impact on physiological systems and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
•A reduced risk of neonatal mortality by 40%.

Join us this World Prematurity Day and help raise awareness of babies born prematurely and the importance of kangaroo mother care.

For more information about skin-to-skin care/KMC whilst on the Neonatal unit check out https://www.bliss.org.uk/parents/in-hospital/looking-after-your-baby-on-the-neonatal-unit/skin-to-skin-and-kangaroo-care