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

In today’s episode, Lisa shares physiotherapy-based baby development activities designed specifically for the 3–6 month baby development stage. This episode is packed with simple, practical exercises that support your baby's gross motor skills, tummy time tolerance, rolling, head control, and sitting.

Rather than focusing on age alone, Lisa teaches you how to assess your baby’s motor milestones and choose the right activities based on ability, not age.

⭐ What Your Baby Should Be Doing To Start this Stage's Activities:

• Spend calm, awake time on their backs, tummies, or sides
• Bring their hands to midline on their backs
• Show early core strength through leg lifting 
• Hold their head up briefly during tummy time

⭐ Baby Development Activities You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Back-Lying Activities

Improve core strength, reaching, and leg awareness:

• Head lifting and gentle flexion exercises
• Encouraging babies to bring hands to knees and feet
• Introducing toys to support baby reaching development
• Fun “up, up, up… boom!” leg-dropping game to build tummy strength

2. Tummy Time Activities 

Boost baby neck strength, shoulder stability, and tolerance for tummy time:

• Extended plank position with elbows under shoulders
• Encouraging side-to-side head turning
• Early "mini cobra" position to strengthen the upper body
• Reaching on elbows (early early weight-shifting)
• Increasing time spent in tummy time as strength improves

3. Side-Lying Play

Encourages balanced development:

• Baby plays on both sides

4. Teaching Baby to Roll (Back→Tummy & Tummy→Back)

Lisa teaches step-by-step how to teach your baby to roll, including:

• Using attractive toys to motivate movement
• How to scoop and position legs safely
• The correct arm and pelvis placement for successful rolling
• Using verbal cues to help baby anticipate movement
• Building rolling confidence through repetition

Rolling delays are extremely common now—this step is key for babies who are “happy on their back” but reluctant to move.

5. Early Supported Sitting

When your baby is ready, you’ll learn:

• How to safely support your baby’s torso and hips
• The best sitting positions to avoid slumping
• How to encourage upright head control
• Using your legs and cushions for support
• How to progress gradually to reduce your support over time

⭐ 3–6 Month Development Red Flags

If your baby is around six months old, contact your GP or health visitor if you notice:

• Baby is not reaching for toys
• Baby struggles to lift head during tummy time
• Baby cannot maintain head control when being carried
• Hands frequently tightly fisted
• Baby seems very stiff or very floppy

Early support can make a big difference — Lisa also offers physiotherapy support and baby development consultations for families needing extra help.

⭐ Links Mentioned

• High-contrast baby development socks and wrist rattles: Here
• Head shape & flat head syndrome resources: Here
• Baby development guides and consultations available on Lisa’s website: Here

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

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

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

Just added: Click here to purchase the accompanying guide!

Introducing the latest Miniseries that will teach you exactly how to boost your baby's development in their first year of life!

In this, the first episode of the miniseries, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa Rogers Sergeant shares simple, science-backed activities to support your baby’s development in the first three months — often called the fourth trimester.

Learn how to make tummy time easier, build your baby’s head control safely, and use skin-to-skin contact, side-lying play, gentle stimulation and visual tracking exercises to boost early gross motor development. Lisa explains what to expect in these first 12 weeks, which activities to prioritise, and when to seek extra support if you’re concerned about your baby’s movement, development or head shape.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the first three months are known as the fourth trimester
• How to support your newborn’s need for closeness while encouraging movement
• The safest way to do tummy time for each age
• How to use skin-to-skin, swaddling and side-lying to calm and strengthen your baby
• Step-by-step ideas for early eye tracking, head control, and body awareness
• When to seek help for concerns like flat head syndrome or head-turning preference

Mentioned in this episode:

• Free swaddling tutorial video
• Safe space guide for tummy and side naps:

Podcast Episode 1: How to do Tummy Time

Podcast Episode 11: The Top 3 Parenting Mistakes That Delay Baby Development & Cause Flat Head Syndrome

• Podcast Episode 9: How to Do Infant Massage
• Free download for improving baby head shape
• Online course for head turning preference 
• Video tutorial for Positional Talipes (inturned feet)

Perfect for:
New parents, first-time mums, and caregivers who want practical, physiotherapist-approved ways to promote their baby’s healthy development from birth to 3 months.

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 episode of The Best for Baby Podcast, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa shares the top three things every parent and parent-to-be needs to know to help their baby thrive; and to avoid the most common developmental issues she sees in her clinic, like Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly) and delayed motor milestones.

You’ll hear the real-life story of Lucy and her baby girl, whose journey through tongue-tie, head-turning preference, and helmet therapy highlights how easily modern parenting habits can unintentionally set babies back. She also explains how simple changes can make all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why tummy time from day one is crucial for your baby’s development and head shape, and how to do it safely.

The hidden dangers of baby equipment like bouncers, car seats, and floor sitters; when and how to use them wisely.

How modern parenting can delay development and what you can do to help your baby build strength, balance, and confidence naturally.

Resources Mentioned:

📘 Free Head Shape & Tummy Time Guide

🎓 Online Course: The Baby Flat Head Syndrome Solution

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 episode, I’m joined by Kimberley Gallagher from The Feng Shui Flow to explore how feng shui can support families, parents, and children.
We discuss how the energy flow in your home can influence your child’s emotions, sleep, and sense of calm, and how small design shifts can create a peaceful, balanced environment for the whole family.

Kimberley shares practical feng shui tips for kids’ bedrooms, family spaces, and daily routines to bring more harmony, mindfulness, and wellbeing into your home.

🌿 Topics we cover:
 – Feng shui for parents and children
 – How to create a calm home environment
 – Supporting family connection and emotional balance

Find Kimberley here

Join the So Much Love community here

Join the Manifest and Flow workshop here

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 episode, Lisa dives into the beautiful world of baby massage — exploring how this simple, soothing practice can calm your baby, deepen your bond, and even boost development. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and research from developmental psychologist Dr. Tiffany Field, Lisa breaks down the benefits of baby massage, explains how to do infant massage safely, when you can start, and which oils to use (and which to avoid).

You’ll discover how baby massage:

• Helps both baby and parent relax through parasympathetic activation
• Improves sleep, digestion, and weight gain in underweight infants
• Supports cognitive, motor, and speech development
• Boosts bonding, confidence, and calmness for parents
• Can fit easily into your day — even just a few minutes after a nappy change!

Lisa also shares practical tips on:

• Simple massage routines you can do at home
• Safe oils like coconut, sunflower, or olive oil
• How to adapt massage for newborns and preterm babies
• When not to massage (like during fussiness or right after a feed)

Plus, you can get the link to her free baby leg massage video to help you get started here!

Connect 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!

All the weird and not-so-wonderful things parents do and worry about is what today's episode is all about!

Becoming a parent means doing (and thinking) things you never imagined! In this light-hearted yet informative episode of The Best for Baby Podcast, paediatric physiotherapist, Lisa shares the funny, relatable (and sometimes worrying) moments all new parents go through.

From wondering “What does breastmilk taste like?” to panicking “Is my baby constipated?” and stressing about baby-led weaning, this episode covers it all — with practical advice and reassuring honesty.

You’ll hear:
 👶 What breastmilk really tastes like (and why the flavour changes!)
 🍼 Why some mums find their milk creamier or sweeter at different times of day
 🍽️ What “baby-led weaning” actually means and what to consider before starting it
 💩 How to tell if your baby is constipated and when it’s time to see your GP
 😴 The strange (but common!) things sleep-deprived parents do
 💬 Why it’s normal to worry and how to know when to ask for help

💖 Download Lisa’s free 7-Day Reset for Mums PDF full of calm strategies and clinical insights here.

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

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

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

This episode could also be called, "Why won't my baby sit up?" or "When should my baby be crawling", or "Should I be worried that my baby isn't yet walking?"

If you've been googling any of those sorts of questions, you’re not alone! In this episode Lisa explains what delayed development really means, why it’s so common today, and when parents should (and shouldn’t) be concerned.

We’ll cover:

• The wide range of “typical” development and why milestone charts can be misleading
• How factors like sensory thresholds, muscle tone, and joint hypermobility affect movement
• Why modern parenting habits (less tummy time, more baby equipment) are delaying gross motor skills
• The link between crawling, sitting, rolling, and later strength, stability, and learning
• Practical steps parents can take at home to support their baby’s motor development
• When to seek extra help from a physiotherapist or GP

🔗 Resources mentioned:

• Episode 1: How to do Tummy Time 
• Miniseries Episode 3: Baby Equipment: Helpful or Harmful?
• Book a consultation with Lisa here!
  
  

This episode is designed to reassure parents while giving clear, practical guidance on how to support your baby’s natural development journey.

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 and white noise
• 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
• Previous sleep episode
• 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!

In this episode Lisa dives into two important topics that every parent should know about:

1. Why barefoot is best for babies and toddlers
   • The benefits of barefoot time for sensory development, strength, and body awareness.
   • Simple ways to give your baby’s feet the stimulation they need — from massage to playful tapping during nappy changes.
   • How going barefoot helps prepare children for standing, walking, and running with confidence.
2. Understanding positional talipes (positional club foot)
   • What it is, how it happens, and why it often goes undiagnosed
   • Risk factors during pregnancy and how to check your newborn.
   • Why early recognition and intervention make a big difference.
   • How to get help for your baby.

Resources Mentioned

• Free Baby leg massage tutorial video: (click on the baby massage option!)
• Free Positional Talipes Parent Checklist PDF (download link)
• Lisa’s step-by-step Positional Talipes Video Tutorial (£35)

Please do check out the Physio Baby website for any other baby questions you may have!

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

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

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!

What do you actually need for a new baby???

In this episode, I’m sharing the tried-and-tested baby products I’ve used with my own little one (and with the babies I’ve worked with as a paediatric physiotherapist). These are the items that truly make life easier in those early weeks and months.

Inside this episode, you’ll hear:

• The essentials I recommend to every new parent
• Products that genuinely make a difference (and why)
• A few of my personal favourites that you might not have thought of
• How to avoid wasting money on things you don’t really need

Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or looking for something that could make life smoother with your little one, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a practical list to work from.

✨ Check out the full list of products I mention here:

1. Moonvvin Baby bather infant pad
https://amzn.to/47AiYXu

2. San Francisco baby towels for newborns 
https://amzn.to/45U4OiI

3. Miniland Bee Shaped Bath and Environmental Thermometer:  https://amzn.to/4gerVbb

4. Ceba baby hard waterproof changing mat https://cebababy.eu/en_GB/p/Hard-changing-mat-short-70-Osito/2948 https://amzn.to/3V9eeRk

5. Cheeky wipes 
https://amzn.to/4m6IYx4

6. KEREITH 3Pack Sock Dryer Hanger Laundry Drying Rack Indoor Outdoor Drip Hanger with 10 Pegs 
https://amzn.to/3K2wzwR

7. Mediacous white noise machine 
https://amzn.to/4m82REa

8. Tommee Tippeee Blackout blinds (formerly Gro Anywhere blinds) https://amzn.to/45Wk2DW

9. LAMAZE Gardenbug Wrist Baby Rattle 
https://amzn.to/4mXUOLo

10. Totter and Tumble The Rambler Playmat https://totterandtumble.co.uk/products/the-rambler

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on: 

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

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!