Miniseries E 3: Baby Equipment: Helpful or Harmful?

Are play gyms good for babies?

When can a baby use a bouncer?

Are Bumbo seats safe?

Are Baby Walkers Safe?

Today's episode will answer all of these (and many other) questions! 

Thank you for listening to the third instalment of this miniseries all about the equipment and "must-haves" for our babies that are currently on the market. Many of them are marketed as promoting aspects of your baby's development, but sadly this is often not the whole truth.
I wish I could share this information with every parent before they start shopping (or creating their baby shower lists!)
Let me share with you the most common equipments I see out there that can have a negative impact on your baby's development, how to use them more safely and what to do with your baby instead!

If you have any questions please do reach out:

www.physiobaby.o.uk

Transcript

Hello, hello — and welcome back to the Best for Baby Podcast. I’m Lisa Rogers Sergeant, your host, and this is my fifth episode. If you’ve been listening since the beginning, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you keep coming back. And if you’re new here, welcome and thank you for joining me!

A little about me if we haven’t met yet: I’m a paediatric physiotherapist. I qualified back in 2000, so I’ve been working as a physio for 25 years now. I’ve worked with children for most of that time, and in the past decade, I’ve focused almost exclusively on babies. And then — after more than 20 years as a physiotherapist — I became a mum myself.

And everything changed.

I developed a new passion for combining my clinical knowledge with my personal experience as a mother. I realised how much easier it is to prevent many of the common developmental issues I see in babies, rather than treat them later. So, I’ve made it my mission to get the word out and support new parents by advising and teaching them as much as I can online and through this little podcast!

Today, we’re continuing our little miniseries. The first episode was about bathing your baby, the second about feeding, and now, we’re going to talk about baby equipment — the kinds of things you’ll find on the market that are incredibly popular, yet sometimes rather surprising in terms of how they affect your baby.

Why Baby Equipment Is More for Us Than Them

Some parents are shocked when I tell them that the majority of baby equipment available today isn't developmentally helpful for babies. Most of it exists to help us. It buys us a few hands-free moments. And that’s okay — we need those moments.

But many of these products, if overused or used in the wrong way, can actually be harmful to your baby’s development. So today, I’ll go through the most common pieces of equipment you’re likely to encounter. I’ll explain what’s helpful, what isn’t, and how to use them in a way that’s safe and supportive of your baby’s development.

And please — if you have been using a piece of equipment I mention, don’t feel guilty. The reason I share this information is because so many parents say to me, “I wish someone had told me.” But nobody does, and it’s no fault of yours. Most of the time, these things are presented to us as absolute essentials.

This is very much my professional opinion as a physiotherapist, with a healthy dose of reality as a mum. Because let’s be honest — being a mum is hard, and we need those hands-free moments. So while some physios might say, “Never use this equipment,” I’m here to be honest: you probably will, and that’s fine. The key is using it wisely.

Moses Baskets and Sleeping Pods

Let’s start with one of the most common items: the Moses basket, or any similar sleeping container. These are incredibly handy. You can use them as part of your push chair system or at home for naps, especially if you live in a double-storey house like we often do here in the UK.

They’re light, transportable, and it’s wonderful to be able to move your baby while they’re sleeping without disturbing them.

The issue arises when we start using them for awake time. They’re so convenient and feel so safe that it’s tempting to pop your baby in while you quickly do the dishes or answer the phone. But what we forget is that these containers weren’t designed for awake time.

We now know that the safest position for a baby to sleep at night is on their back, in a firm, flat, empty sleep space. But during the day, under supervision, it’s perfectly fine — and actually important — for your baby to lie on their side or tummy. And a Moses basket isn’t safe for that. Even a newborn who’s awake shouldn’t be placed on their side or tummy in one because the solid, high sides reduce airflow. Even if your baby can lift their head, the restricted airflow can lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon dioxide.

Babies need variety. They spend a lot of time on their backs overnight, and if we’re not careful, they’ll spend all their daytime naps on their backs too. That can mean 17 or 18 hours a day in the same position — leading to discomfort, flat head syndrome, and delayed development of important head and neck control.

What’s better is a safe floor space. Use a firm foam mat if you have hard floors. Make sure there are no loose objects, don't use a cushion or pillow and there must be good airflow all around the baby. You can supervise daytime naps on their side or tummy in this safe space, which helps build tolerance for different positions and makes tummy time less of a battle later on.

The key takeaway: Moses baskets are fine for safe, supervised naps on the back. But because we need to use the day time to compensate for all the time they spend at night sleeping on their backs, We need them to be in a safe space during the day on their sides or tummies as much as possible- not in the Moses basket.

Baby Gyms

I see baby gyms in almost every home — those mats with activity bars and dangling toys. And while they’re promoted as tummy time spaces, most often babies end up lying flat on their backs underneath them, staring upwards at the ceiling.

The problem here is twofold:

1. Babies tend to stay still because they’re entertained by the toy above them, meaning they don’t turn their heads or shift position much.
   
   
2. Prolonged pressure on the same part of the head contributes to flat spots.
   
   

Better to remove the dangling toys. If your baby’s lying on their back, place toys to the sides to encourage head turning. If your baby has a head-turning preference, you might use a central toy to break that habit initially, then gradually move it to the non-preferred side to encourage movement both ways.

For tummy time, remove the gym bars and place toys, mirrors, or picture books on the floor in front of your baby to encourage lifting and turning. Better still, lie down face to face with your baby to keep them calm on their tummy whilst they are still getting used to it!

Tummy Time Rolls and Wedges

There’s a huge market for tummy time props, and while the idea behind them is good — to help babies tolerate tummy time — most commercial versions are too bulky. They can cause babies to overarch their backs or slide down uncomfortably.

The theory behind the roll is sound though - it is to lift the chest and head so that they are in line or above the baby's hips. This makes it easier for the baby to turn their head as desired.

My advice? Roll up a muslin or small towel.

• For older babies leaning on their elbows, the roll should be about the height from their shoulder to elbow. Place their elbows directly under their shoulders for a mini plank position. You can also put a firm hand across their bottom to anchor their hips down.
• For younger babies still learning to lift their heads, prop them on your chest, or create a gentle ramp with a firm cushion or cot mattress. Always supervise and make sure airflow is unrestricted and that they can't fall off the ramp! Don't put them on a sofa where they can fall off or sink into teh soft surface!

Bouncy Chairs

Ah — a favourite in so many homes, mine included. They let you make dinner, have a cup of tea, or just catch your breath. And that’s important.

The issue is overuse. Babies tend to stay very still in them because the bouncing and vibrating is so soothing and makes them happy to stay still for longer! The bouncing also reduces their natural desire to move and seek stimulation, thereby leading to reduced opportunities to engage their muscles naturally and promote development and of course, turn their heads and prevent flat head syndrome.

Use bouncy chairs in moderation, for short bursts of around 15 minutes, ideally once your baby has good head control at around three to four months and always aim for more floor time when you can.

Floor Sitters

These are those plastic seats designed to prop babies upright before they can sit unaided. And again, while they might seem convenient, they place babies in positions they’re not developmentally ready for.

They limit movement, can lead to slumping, and rob babies of opportunities to practice the rolling, pushing, and kicking movements they need to strengthen their bodies.

If you use one, keep it brief and supervise closely. Make sure it has a harness if it’s an older model and always place it on the floor, never on a raised surface.

Walkers, Jumpers & Door Bouncers

If there’s one category of equipment I’d discourage, it’s this. These devices place babies upright before they’re ready, forcing them to move in ways that aren’t natural.

They often encourage babies to push off their toes, which can lead to tiptoe walking later on, and encourage thrusting movements that aren’t helpful for natural development.

If you must use one:

• Wait until your baby is crawling and pulling to stand - and therefore ready to be up on their feet. 
  
  
• Ensure their feet are flat on the floor, not on tiptoes.
  
  
• Keep it brief and supervise carefully.

Slings & Carriers

I love slings — they’re fantastic for closeness and hands-free time. But posture matters.

Inward-facing is best, especially for little babies. Outward-facing can lead to poor alignment: arched backs, dangling legs, and slumped sleeping positions.

Quick tip:
If your baby falls asleep in an outward-facing sling, support their thighs with your forearm so their hips are bent more. This improves their alignment and comfort.

And take a moment to check in a mirror: does your baby look comfortable and well-aligned now? What about 20 minutes later?

Final Thoughts

These pieces of equipment aren’t bad. They’re helpful — for us. And that’s okay. I used them too. The key is to keep their use limited and to make sure your baby is getting plenty of time on the floor — on their back, sides, and tummy — where they can move, learn, and grow.

Remember: equipment doesn’t help your baby develop — movement does. Free, natural, active time on the floor is the best gift you can give.

If you're worried you've used something too much, don't panic. It’s never too late to change. Reduce the time, increase floor play, and your baby will catch up beautifully.

Have questions about a piece of equipment you’re using? I’d love to hear from you.
You can find me at www.physiobaby.co.uk.

Wishing you and your baby all the very best,

Lisa x