Newborn Concerns
Physiotherapists can help newborns with a variety of conditions. Newborn referrals commonly fall into three broad groups:
1) “Packaging” problems (intrauterine constraint)
These arise when a baby has had limited space in the uterus—often with larger babies, first pregnancies, low fluid, or certain uterine shapes. The result is sustained positioning before birth that can affect joints, muscles, and head shape.
Common conditions include:
Talipes (clubfoot / positional foot deformities)
The foot may be turned in or out due to positioning. Some are flexible (positional) and improve with stretching; others (true clubfoot) require orthopaedic management.Plagiocephaly (flat head shape) (Torre please link to Ortho & postural concerns section for more detailed information)
Positional plagiocephaly (asymmetry of the skull, often due to preferred head position) is common in infants.
A physiotherapist can assess head shape, neck movement and positioning to determine whether simple repositioning strategies or treatment may be helpful.
In some cases, further developmental assessment may be recommended, particularly if there are movement differences, asymmetries, or a higher-risk birth history, as these factors can sometimes be associated with delayed motor development.
Congenital muscular torticollis (Torre please link to Ortho & postural concerns section for more detailed information)
Tightness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle causing head tilt and rotation preference. Physiotherapy focuses on stretching, strengthening, positioning for play, carrying and parent education.Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
Shallow or unstable hip joint. Physiotherapy can support early detection, positioning advice, and monitoring alongside orthopaedic care.
Role of physiotherapy:
Early identification, parent education, stretching/positioning programs, and preventing secondary complications (e.g., persistent asymmetry or delayed motor skills).
2) Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP)
Caused by traction on the brachial plexus during delivery (e.g., shoulder dystocia).
Presents as weakness or paralysis of part of the arm (e.g., Erb’s palsy).
Role of physiotherapy:
Maintain joint range of motion
Prevent contractures
Facilitate recovery of movement and strength
Guide safe handling and positioning to support optimal gross motor development
Support long-term function where recovery is incomplete
3) Other early musculoskeletal or neurological concerns
General asymmetry
Delayed or abnormal early motor patterns. Occasionally, these patterns may be associated with broader developmental differences, which require ongoing, individualised support beyond the newborn period.
Feeding/postural issues linked to tone or coordination
Children develop at different rates, and not every child who reaches a milestone later than expected has a developmental delay. A physiotherapy assessment can help provide clarity and reassurance. At Lumi Kids, this may include the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), a standardised assessment that helps identify whether a child's motor development is tracking as expected for their age.