Happy Baby Check | Laura Forrest

The Happy Baby Check is a comprehensive top to toe check of your baby’s musculoskeletal system.

We aim to identify anywhere in the body that may be the root cause of your baby’s symptoms.

We look at the joints, muscles, tissues, nerves & nervous system to assess if they are performing correctly.

We identify any restrictions, tensions or altered function and look to address these through hands on treatment and activities you can do with your baby at home.

You will get a report of findings and plan of action following the visit.

Why is this important?
Supporting healthy posture, oral posture, and breathing patterns in babies is one of the most powerful ways to influence lifelong development. While it may seem surprising that posture matters so early, infancy is a critical window for shaping the body’s structure and function.

Good body posture begins with proper alignment during feeding, tummy time, carrying, and sleep (following safe sleep guidelines). When babies develop balanced muscle strength through movement, they build a stable foundation for sitting, crawling, and walking. Poor posture habits early on can contribute to muscle imbalances, delayed motor milestones, and even long-term neck or back issues.

Oral posture is equally important. Ideally, a baby’s tongue rests gently against the roof of the mouth, lips are closed, and breathing happens through the nose. This natural positioning supports proper jaw development, facial growth, and alignment of future teeth. When oral posture is compromised — for example, due to prolonged mouth breathing or unresolved tongue restrictions — it can influence speech development, feeding skills, and orthodontic outcomes later in childhood.

Breathing plays a central role in overall health. Nasal breathing filters, warms, and humidifies the air while supporting optimal oxygen exchange. Chronic mouth breathing in babies and young children has been linked to sleep disturbances, increased illness frequency, and altered facial development. Encouraging clear nasal passages, breastfeeding when possible, and monitoring for airway concerns can make a meaningful difference.

By paying attention to posture and breathing from the very beginning, parents and caregivers give babies the best chance for strong growth, healthy development, and confident function throughout life.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What if my baby cries?
You are free to comfort your baby however you see fit. If they need a feed, nappy change, dummy, or just a cuddle; we work around them. I can also treat your baby whilst being held.

2. What if my baby does a poop?
I have changing facilities in my clinic and spares of most items so don’t worry, we can deal with even the biggest of poonamis!

3. How long does it take for treatment to work?
This is entirely dependent on what we find. I will always explain fully what and why I am doing. I usually give parents exercises to do at home which helps speed up the effectiveness of any treatment.

4. How many treatments does it usually take?
The first session is aimed at discovering the root cause of your baby’s symptoms, treating and making a plan to make them more comfortable. Any follow up sessions will be to make sure the symptoms are improving. Again, this is dependent on what we find. The more you can do at home, the less sessions we tend to need.