Everyone has their own unique way of parenting. Some like to wrap their kids up in cotton wool, while others are comfortable letting their little ones be a tad more adventurous.
The Body Coach, otherwise known as Joe Wicks, certainly had a lot of faith in his baby’s upper body strength when he posted a picture of his seven-month-old, Leni, dangling from a bar on the beach.
He then posted a second image of his older children hanging from a similar bar.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter had a strong reaction to the family snaps. One user wrote: ‘Is that safe for her shoulders and joints to hang onto bars supporting her own weight like that?’
Another commented: ‘That’s so wrong , any person with common sense would not let a seven month old hanging on the bar like this. Clearly shows how poor your knowledge about body and health is, not to mention how irresponsible parent you are. Poor kid.’
Dr Gareth Nye, senior lecturer of maternal and foetal health at the University of Chester tells Metro.co.uk that, while it perhaps isn’t advisable to attach your baby to a climbing frame, we don’t need to get too worked up over it.
‘Photos like this are a snapshot in time,’ he says. ‘As a parent myself, I’m sure Joe was running back to his child the second the picture was taken.’
He also points out that common activities such as, trampolining, have ‘a massive risk of injury.’
However, Dr Nye does point out that falling is a risk here.
He says: ‘Anyone with experience of children at that age knows they can have a significant grip – especially when they have something they shouldn’t!
‘But it wouldn’t be safe to assume a child of that age can hold on unsupervised for any length of time.
‘Children under five also have bones that are fragile and easily broken.’
Dr Nye also points out that a child’s joints are not fully developed yet.
He says: ‘Young children have looser ligaments (the material holding our bones together).
‘This means they are vulnerable to a condition known as “nursemaid’s” or “pulled elbow” as well as shoulder dislocations.’
In general, parents should exercise common sense when playing with their children.
‘Purposely swinging young children by the arms is something that should be avoided, as should leaving young children unsupported or unsupervised on play equipment’ says Dr Nye.
‘Climbing over obstacles while supervised is a great way of naturally building fitness, strength and balance in young children,’ says Dr Nye.
‘This could be small cushions or going to soft play centres. Tummy time is generally advised to help here.
‘Balancing with the parent can also help improve balance and strength, as you help the child develop skills and less dependency on your strength.
‘Ultimately building motor skills and coordination in young children will help them develop physical traits quicker.’
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