Best for Baby | Expert Baby Advice & Support for Overwhelmed Mums

Worried your baby isn’t rolling, sitting, crawling or walking when you think they should be? In this episode, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers Sergeant explains why developmental delay is so much more common now than in previous generations, and why, in most cases, it isn’t a cause for serious concern.

Lisa breaks down the three most common reasons neurotypical babies develop more slowly: sensory threshold, lower muscle tone, and joint hypermobility, and how modern parenting habits, especially reduced tummy time and increased equipment use, compound these tendencies. She gives realistic, updated age ranges for rolling, sitting, crawling and walking, explains when a delay genuinely warrants referral for further investigation, and offers practical, guilt free ways to support your baby’s gross motor development at home.

In this episode:

• Why old developmental milestones are outdated, and what’s realistic now
• The three main reasons for gross motor delay: sensory threshold, low tone, and hypermobility
• Why joint hypermobility affects so many babies and children
• How lack of tummy time and equipment use are compounding natural delays
• Updated, realistic age ranges for rolling, sitting, crawling and walking
• When delay becomes a reason to seek referral or further investigation
• Practical, low pressure ways to support your baby’s development at home

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lisa’s episode on tummy time
• Lisa’s episode on baby equipment
• Lisa’s episode on crying and sensory thresholds
• Remote consultations with Lisa

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Is your baby crying and you just don’t know why? In this episode of the Best for Baby Podcast, Lisa dives deep into the many reasons behind baby crying and what parents can do about it. From hunger and discomfort to the witching hour, you’ll discover how to recognise your baby’s cues and respond with confidence.

We’ll explore:

• The differences between tired, hungry, overstimulated and bored babies
• Why some cries are normal communication and others may signal discomfort or illness
• The witching hour – why it happens and how to help your baby through it
• Practical calming strategies, from swaddling and skin-to-skin contact to soothing movement 
• How to spot the signs of an overtired baby before they spiral into full-on meltdowns

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what to do if a baby is crying, how to keep your little one in a calm-alert state for longer, and when it’s time to seek extra help.

🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free swaddling tutorial
• More support at physiobaby.co.uk

If you’ve been wondering what to do when your baby is crying and feeling overwhelmed, this episode will bring both reassurance and practical steps to help you and your little one feel calmer.

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

If your newborn won’t stay asleep, only naps for 30 to 45 minutes at a time, or can’t fall asleep without being fed, rocked or driven around in the car, this episode is for you. Paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers Sergeant combines her clinical experience with her own experience as a mum whose baby could not fall asleep, to explain why these three problems are so common and what you can actually do about them, all within safe sleep guidelines.

Lisa covers why babies are born unable to link sleep cycles, why the startle reflex disrupts sleep when babies sleep safely on their backs, how to use swaddling, movement stimulation and daytime light exposure to help, and why some babies, particularly hypermobile babies, need more help than others. She also addresses day/night confusion and feeding to sleep honestly, without guilt.

In this episode:

• Why babies wake frequently, and why it’s more common now than in previous generations
• Sleep cycles explained: why naps are often stuck at 45 minutes
• Why babies can’t fall asleep on their own, and how that skill develops
• Swaddling, the startle reflex, and safe back sleeping
• Feeding to sleep: what’s fine, and when to be stricter (reflux, tooth decay, ear infections)
• Movement stimulation and why some babies, especially hypermobile babies, need more of it
• Day and night confusion, and how to help your baby’s body clock develop
• Creating a dark, consistent sleep environment at night

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lisa’s free swaddling tutorial: Swaddling Made Simple
• Lisa’s previous tummy time episode 
• Recommended blackout blinds for travel and home (Affiliate Link)

Find more Resources: www.physiobaby.co.uk

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

“Does my baby have autism?” “Does my baby have cerebral palsy?” “Will my baby ever walk?” In this episode, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers Sergeant answers the three questions she gets asked most often by by parents of young babies.

Lisa explains that there are very few reliable early signs of autism and why it’s genuinely very difficult to diagnose autism or cerebral palsy in babies under 18 months. She also looks at why reflux and so many ordinary “modern parenting” factors (reduced tummy time, baby equipment, swaddling) can mimic the signs of these conditions without a baby going on to have either diagnosis; and what to do if you’re worried. 

She covers sensory processing differences, the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale for cerebral palsy, why brain scans don’t always predict outcome, and practical, reassuring steps every parent can take while they wait for clarity, even if a diagnosis is not on the cards.

If you’ve ever lain awake worrying about something your baby is doing, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Why it’s very hard to tell if a baby under 18 months is autistic, and what to do if your very young baby is doing things that make you worry
• Sensory processing differences vs. autism: why they often look alike
• Signs of possible cerebral palsy, and why “modern parenting” factors can mimic them (tummy time, swaddling, reflux, equipment use)
• Practical, reassuring activities to do with your baby regardless of outcome
• Why brain scans don’t always predict outcome: the role of stimulation, nutrition and sleep in brain plasticity
• When to seek an assessment, and from whom
• Mentioned in this episode:
  • Lisa’s free baby massage video download 
  • Lisa’s podcast series on development by age
  • Lisa’s 0–3 month developmental guide (£35.00, PDF) 
  • Remote consultations and Wimbledon clinic bookings 

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Weighing up NHS physiotherapy against private physio for your baby? Perhaps your baby is receiving private physio and you are left wondering if it really needs to be this frequent? Maybe you are accessing your NHS physiotherapy service and feeling frustrated that you aren't getting to see the therapist enough. 

It's easy to worry about being taken advantage of or feel concerned that you are being neglected when you have no point of reference for how much physiotherapy your baby needs.

In this episode, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers Sergeant breaks down how treatment frequency really works on both sides of the system.

Prompted by a recent clinic case where a baby had been seen repeatedly by private providers with no real progress, Lisa draws on two decades of experience from NHS child development services, to private hospitals in London, to training in under-resourced communities abroad, to explain why more sessions don’t always mean better care. 

She covers how NHS physiotherapy prioritises and allocates appointments,  honest signs a private provider may be over-treating your baby, and when more frequent sessions genuinely are justified.

In this episode:

• How NHS physiotherapy decides how often your baby is seen, and why it isn’t always a sign of inadequate care
• Why most baby conditions respond better to parent-led, repeated-through-the-day exercises than frequent clinic visits
• Honest red flags that a private provider may be recommending more sessions than your baby needs
• When more regular physio (NHS or private) genuinely is the right call

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lisa’s clinic at the Osteoperformance Practice, Wimbledon : Book here
• Remote consultations: Book here

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Has your newborn been diagnosed with positional talipes? Or have you noticed their little foot (or both feet) curling inwards and staying there? 

In this episode, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers Sergeant breaks down everything parents need to know about this surprisingly common newborn foot condition.

Lisa explains the difference between positional talipes and structural club foot, why it happens (hint: it's all about room in the womb), and why vague advice at birth often means it isn't treated effectively. She walks through her five-pronged treatment approach (massage, stretch, strengthening, stimulating, and addressing restrictive clothing or positioning) ; and explains why the condition often looks worse again during growth spurts, illness, or new physical milestones like crawling and walking, even when treatment is working well.

If your baby's foot is turning in, this episode will help you understand exactly what's going on and what to do next.

In this episode:

• The difference between positional talipes and structural club foot
• Why positional talipes happens (risk factors: twins, big/long babies, small mums)
• Does it affect walking long-term? The honest answer
• The five-pronged approach: massage, stretch, strengthening, stimulation and reducing restrictions
• Why symptoms can flare during growth spurts, teething, or new skills like crawling
• Treating newborns vs. older, mobile babies
• When to see a health visitor, GP or physiotherapist instead of treating at home

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lisa's positional talipes video tutorial for parents: Treating Tiny Feet: A step-by-step demonstration on a model and a real baby
• Book a Remote Consultations with Lisa
• Book a Face to Face with Lisa at her Wimbledon clinic 

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Why won't my baby sleep through the night? Is co-sleeping ever safe? Will feeding or rocking my baby to sleep create a "bad habit"? 

In this episode of the Best for Baby Podcast, host Lisa Rogers Sergeant sits down with Maddy Thompson, a social worker, mum of two, and paediatric sleep consultant at Balanced Bedtime Sleep Consultancy, for an honest, guilt-free look at baby and toddler sleep.

Maddy explains the enormous "normal" range for newborn sleep, why safe sleep guidelines and natural instincts to hold and comfort your baby aren't in conflict, and how to safely navigate co-sleeping and contact naps. She breaks down practical, science-backed tools like sleep pressure, light exposure and anchoring the day, and reframes "sleep training" as gentle, responsive sleep optimisation. If you've ever felt judged, confused or anxious about your baby's sleep, this conversation will leave you feeling reassured and equipped.

In this episode:

• The huge "normal" range for newborn sleep (11–19 hours)
• Safe co-sleeping guidance and why the conversation has changed
• Why feeding, rocking or contact-napping to sleep isn't a "bad habit"
• What sleep pressure is and how it drives good sleep
• Why light exposure within 30 minutes of waking matters
• Sleep training vs. sleep optimisation: the gentler, responsive approach
• Common sleep myths busted (overtiredness, "if I respond too much…", age cutoffs)
• Why comparing your baby to others online does more harm than good

Mentioned in this episode:

• Maddy Thompson, Balanced Bedtime Sleep Consultancy 
• Maddy's Safe Sleep Resource
• Maddy's Blog on Red Light and Sleep
• Book reference: French Children Don't Throw Food (Affiliate Link)

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Struggling with tummy time? In this episode paediatric physiotherapist, Lisa goes back to basics on one of the most confusing and most important parts of early infant development.

You'll learn why babies today get far less tummy time than previous generations (safe sleep guidelines, car seats and bouncers), and how that's linked to issues like baby flat head syndrome and delayed gross motor skills. Lisa breaks down exactly how to build a safe tummy time space at home and how contact naps on your chest count as tummy time. She also talks through simple techniques like anchoring the bottom, using a slight wedge, and elbow-plank positioning to help babies who resist tummy time. Whether you're expecting or already navigating a tummy-time-averse baby, this episode gives you a clear, safety-first roadmap.

In this episode:

• Building a genuinely safe space for supervised tummy/side naps
• Breathing safety: surface, firmness, airflow and positioning
• How contact naps and side-lying count toward tummy time
• Simple techniques to make awake tummy time easier (bottom anchor, wedge, elbow plank)
• How to introduce tummy time gently without building negative associations
• What to do if your baby has a head-turning preference
• Mentioned in this episode:
  • Lisa's new clinic rooms at the Osteoperformance Clinic, Wimbledon (Tuesdays). Book a face to face session at the clinic here or remote session here
  • Totter and Tumble play mats (affiliate link)
  • Next week's episode: a conversation with sleep consultant Maddie Thompson of Balanced Bedtime Sleep Consultancy

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Want to help your baby crawl, sit, stand and walk using things you already own? In this episode, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers shares 10 everyday household items that can boost your baby's gross motor development and strengthen their muscles safely and enjoyably. 

In this episode you'll learn:

•  Why floor time is the single most important activity for baby development 
•  How a simple changing mat can provide valuable sensory stimulation 
•  Why stairs are one of the best tools for learning to crawl 
•  How to safely use your sofa to encourage pulling to stand 
•  Ways to use a cot mattress and sofa cushions to build strength 
•  Why your bed creates the perfect strengthening challenge 
•  How a coffee table can improve balance, coordination and ball skills 
•  Sensory activities using scatter cushions 
•  How clothes pegs can strengthen your child's hands, core and coordination 
•  Why expensive baby equipment is often unnecessary for healthy motor development 

Links Mentioned

•  Totter + Tumble Play Mats (affiliate link) 
•  Pull-to-Stand YouTube Tutorial 
• Developmental Miniseries - Best for Baby Podcast

If you found this episode helpful, please:

⭐ Follow the Best for Baby Podcast

⭐ Leave a review to help more parents discover evidence-based advice

⭐ Share this episode with another parent

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

In this eye-opening episode, Lisa is joined by Gina Mundy, a childbirth attorney who has spent more than 23 years analysing thousands of cases where childbirth complications have resulted in lifelong injury and disability.

Drawing on decades of experience, Gina has transformed what she's learned into practical guidance for expectant parents. Her mission is to help families reduce the risk of birth complications before labour even begins.

Together, Lisa and Gina explore the common patterns seen in traumatic births, why understanding your options during labour is so important, and how parents can confidently advocate for themselves throughout the birth process.

The six key ways to reduce risk discussed in this episode:
1. Slow down oxytocin: Ask for oxytocin (also known as Syntocinon or Pitocin) to be administered slowly and kept at the lowest effective dose.
2. Prepare before labour: Learn about the birth process and your options before contractions begin.
3. Consider hiring a doula:  Discover how continuous support during labour can improve the birth experience.
4. Choose your hospital carefully: Understand why your choice of maternity unit can influence outcomes.
5. Learn to understand your baby's heart rate:  Become familiar with the terminology healthcare professionals use and what it means.
6. Know your options for assisted birth:  Understand the benefits and risks of forceps, vacuum extraction (ventouse/Kiwi cup), and emergency Caesarean section so you can make informed decisions if the situation arises.

This is an invaluable episode for anyone preparing for childbirth and wanting to understand the practical steps they can take to help achieve the safest possible birth.

Resources mentioned
A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth by Gina Mundy (affiliate link)

The Childbirth Attorney Podcast with Gina Mundy: Here

If you require paediatric physiotherapy or EHCP support for your child, you can get in touch with Lisa here.

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!