Storybook Physiotherapy

Storybook Physiotherapy Offering private Physiotherapy Services for children

✨ If you’re after the real truth about baby gear… let’s talk about the items I often recommend families avoid.I know it’...
22/08/2025

✨ If you’re after the real truth about baby gear… let’s talk about the items I often recommend families avoid.

I know it’s not always easy to hear (and I don’t share this to cause guilt — I promise it’s for good reason!). But some of the most common “must-have” baby products don’t actually help your baby’s development… in fact, they can sometimes make things harder.

Here’s why 👇
🚫 Baby walkers – safety risks + no benefit for hip symmetry or walking strength.
🚫 Bumbo seats – restrict movement + put hips and trunk in poor alignment.
🚫 Jumpers/Exersaucers – don’t strengthen legs, encourage tiptoe standing + stress hips.
🚫 Baby swings – limit movement + can contribute to flat spots on the head.

✔️ While short bursts (10–15 mins) are fine if you already own them, skipping these saves money and gives your baby more chances to explore purposeful movement on the floor.

The best tool? 👉 A safe space on the floor and your interaction ✨

💬 Share this with a mumma who needs to hear the truth about baby containers.
✨ Follow to learn what actually helps your baby move with ease, confidence, and comfort.

“They said it was normal… but is it really?” As a paediatric physiotherapist, I often hear parents being reassured that ...
08/08/2025

“They said it was normal… but is it really?”
As a paediatric physiotherapist, I often hear parents being reassured that certain things in their baby are “just a phase” — but sometimes, those things deserve a second look. If your baby’s neck seems super strong before 3 months, it might not be strength — it could be a sign of tension. If your baby is standing tall with stiff legs early on, it’s not always a milestone to celebrate — it could signal postural challenges. Reflux, constant crying labelled as “colic,” or a flat spot on your baby’s head? These are often brushed off as normal, but they may need early support to avoid long-term impact. You know your baby best. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts — and know that you’re not alone. I help families uncover the real reasons behind tension, discomfort, and various movement patterns in babies. Because your baby deserves to move and feel good in their bodies 💫
📩 DM me “check” for a free baby movement checklist and send this to someone who needs to hear this today 🩷

Everyone is always saying “don’t use baby walkers”… but what are the alternatives? 👶🏼🚫If you’re wondering how to help yo...
04/08/2025

Everyone is always saying “don’t use baby walkers”… but what are the alternatives? 👶🏼🚫

If you’re wondering how to help your baby build strength, balance, and confidence without relying on those sit-in walkers — you’re in the right place 🤍

🛑 First things first: traditional walkers (the ones baby sits in and pushes with their feet) are banned in many countries due to serious safety concerns. Babies often arch their backs and push with their toes — movements that don’t reflect how we actually learn to walk. This can lead to tension, imbalances, or even toe walking later on.

✨ But what if you didn’t have to buy anything fancy?

What if you could support your baby’s movement naturally, using everyday items around the house?

👇 Here are simple alternatives you can start with today:

🧺 Laundry basket or cardboard box – Thick edges to grip, stable to push, and easy to modify (flip it over or fill with weight to slow it down!)
🪑 Ottomans & small chairs – Perfect for pulling to stand, squatting, cruising, and building balance.
📦 Nappy boxes – Great size and weight for early pushing practice.
🚶‍♀️ Push walkers (not sit-ins) – Ideal for babies showing readiness signs. They support squats, standing, and engaged, purposeful movement.

These options let your baby engage their own muscles and develop confidence in their movement — with less tension and more control.

📌 Save this post to refer back to later — and follow to learn what signs to look for before introducing a push walker!

✨ “Help! My baby just face-plants or screams during tummy time!” 😩💛 Let’s flip the script and make tummy time a happier,...
01/07/2025

✨ “Help! My baby just face-plants or screams during tummy time!” 😩💛 Let’s flip the script and make tummy time a happier, easier part of your day!

👉 Why might your baby struggle with tummy time?
• That little body is working hard! Weak neck and upper body muscles make it tricky at first.
• Reflux or tummy discomfort can make lying flat feel tricky and uncomfortable .
• Tension or tightness from birth position can limit comfort.
• Sensory sensitivities — the floor can feel strange at first.
• It’s exhausting! Without practice, it feels unfamiliar and frustrating.

💡 How can you make tummy time easier?
✅ Start early — newborn tummy time begins day one with skin-to-skin!
✅ Aim for short bursts in every wake window — little bits add up!
✅ A little fussing is ok; take breaks when needed.
✅ Get face-to-face — your smile is their best motivation!
✅ Try:
✨ Lying on your chest — calming + easier to lift that big head!
✨ Elevated surfaces (great for reflux bubs)
✨ Football hold — super for midline control + rib cage rounding
✨ Support hands at elbows or back for extra help
✨ Use a therapy ball for gentle rocking and bouncing
✨ Play with textures + contrasting toys for extra engagement

👶 Gravity’s tough — make it easier with inclines + your gentle support.

💫 Want more simple, baby-friendly ideas? Follow for tips that help your little one move, play, and thrive! 🌟

“It’s just reflux.”😣The phrase that keeps parents stuck, babies uncomfortable, and support delayed.I can’t tell you how ...
03/06/2025

“It’s just reflux.”😣

The phrase that keeps parents stuck, babies uncomfortable, and support delayed.

I can’t tell you how often I hear this in the clinic.
Reflux gets dismissed, downplayed, or written off as “normal” — but if you’ve ever held a screaming, arching, restless baby for hours… you know it’s anything but.

As a paediatric physio, I’m here to tell you:
Yes, tension can be treated — but understanding the why behind it changes everything.

Reflux doesn’t just affect digestion.
It can affect your baby’s posture, sleep, feeding, and movement patterns — and it deserves real, thoughtful support.

👶 Over the next two weeks, I’ll be sharing simple tips you can use to help your baby feel more at ease in their body.
💬 Comment “baby tension” below and I’ll send you a free checklist of common signs of body-based reflux and some strategies which may assist your little one to feel more comfortable.
📌 Save this if you’re navigating baby reflux, or tag a parent who needs to see this today.

🙋‍♀️ The market is full of endless baby equipment and it can be so hard to know what is useful and what is not so helpfu...
30/06/2024

🙋‍♀️ The market is full of endless baby equipment and it can be so hard to know what is useful and what is not so helpful
😿👎

These are not a NEVER ever use but more as a guide to what equipment might not be helpful for your baby.

🚫 Baby jumpers, activity centre walkers and sit me ups tend to restrict your baby from moving, do not strengthen the muscles baby’s are developing and do not help your baby walk earlier or get stronger. The walkers and jumpers often reinforce tip toe walking, bouncing when the hips are not developmentally ready and externally stabilise the baby. This is the opposite of what we we want which is for baby to strengthen their own balance, core and weight bear through their feet evenly! ✔️

I’m not as opposed to sit me ups and these can be helpful to help alleviate pressure off babies 👶 heads but ensure to spend a lot more time developing independent sitting 💺

The best position for your baby is on the floor where they are free to move and develop their muscle awareness, integrate reflexes and develop symmetry of movement. 🙌

Or course there will be times you need to get something done ✔️ and ensure baby is safe. Ideally a play pen is optimal.

☝️ Baby push walkers are great when baby is ready to start practising walking. Other equipment such as soft foam play and activity centres are conducive to babies movements. An easy way to remember is anything that doesn’t restrict and allows baby to move in and out are ✅ but they do require supervision.

📌 Save Share and like if this was helpful 🫶

If you’re worried about your baby developing a flat head and looking for some strategies for prevention, this one is goi...
12/04/2024

If you’re worried about your baby developing a flat head and looking for some strategies for prevention, this one is going to super helpful ✨✨🫶

Here are some of my favourite ways to promote movement, increase your baby’s tolerance to varied postural positions and relieve pressure on one side of their head! ⭐️

Always seek an evaluation from a paediatric PT for specific stretches and strengthening targeted for your baby’s needs ❗️

Save, share and follow for more tips ⭐️

✋ Does your child toe walk? Whilst every child who toe walks presents differently and they require a individualised prog...
12/03/2024

✋ Does your child toe walk?

Whilst every child who toe walks presents differently and they require a individualised program, some of these activities might encourage shifting of the weight back into the heels 🫶

Give these a go and await for part two of my favourite exercises. ✨

If your child is walking on their toes majority of the time, has severe ankle tightness and balance issues then an evaluation from a paediatric physiotherapist will be able to address any specific needs ✨

Address

38-40 Gap Road
Sunbury, VIC
3429

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 5am
Wednesday 9am - 5am
Thursday 9am - 5am
Friday 9am - 5am

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