It's natural to want to hold your baby close, but did you know that too much carrying can actually hinder their motor development? Here are a few tips on how you can best carry your child in their early years:

Newborns: Newborns should be cradled securely in a lying down position and should only be held upright if their neck and posterior are supported properly.

Slings and wraps: When carrying your baby in a sling or wrap, make sure that their legs aren't pulled straight down but are kept loose in a frogleg position so your baby can move around as they like.

Tummy time: At around 3 months, your baby will start to become more alert, wanting to push themselves up and be held upright rather than laying down. This is when you can start having tummy time, where your baby is laid down on their stomach to play in increased intervals of time. This exercise is an important way for babies to explore the world, strengthen their muscles, and improve their motor skills.

Carrying on the hip: Once your child is a little older and able to sit up on their own, they can start to be carried on your hip, which is a great way for loosening and reducing natural tightness in their hip joints. However, carrying your child incorrectly such as favouring to carry them on one side of the body versus another can cause your child to have hip dysplasia and unequal levels of tightness from the neck to the feet. Your baby should instead be carried facing inwards, especially during the first 6 months of life when their hips are developing rapidly. Other safe carrying methods include using a hip dysplasia safe carrier or alternating the sides of the body your baby is carried on.

Repeated forms of incorrect carrying: Repeated forms of incorrect carrying can affect how your baby develops and can impact their gait pattern in the future. Being informed and practising good carrying habits will encourage your child's musculoskeletal system to develop as symmetrically as possible.

See a Paediatric Podiatrist: If you have any concerns about your child's motor development, it's always best to see a paediatric podiatrist. They can assess your child and recommend appropriate interventions to help them reach their full potential.