Baby MOT's
Specialist Baby MOT Assessments
Expert developmental checks for babies aged 0–24 months, providing reassurance, early identification of concerns and practical advice for parents.
At Children's Physio Dorset, our Baby MOT is a comprehensive developmental assessment designed to give parents confidence in their baby's physical development during those important first two years of life.
Whether you simply want reassurance that your baby is progressing as expected, or you have concerns about their movement or development, a Baby MOT provides expert assessment and personalised advice from a specialist paediatric physiotherapist.
What is a Baby MOT?
During the appointment, we assess your baby's gross motor development, movement quality, muscle tone, strength, posture and overall physical development.
We compare your baby's skills with expected developmental milestones while recognising that every baby develops at their own pace.
The assessment is relaxed, play-based and completely tailored to your baby's age and abilities.
Common Reasons Parents Book a Baby MOT
- Delayed rolling, sitting, crawling or walking
- Concerns about tummy time
- Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
- Stiffness or increased muscle tone
- Flat head (plagiocephaly)
- Torticollis (head turning preference)
- Asymmetrical movement
- Toe walking
- Concerns following a difficult birth or prematurity
- General reassurance that development is on track
What Happens During the Appointment?
Your Baby MOT lasts approximately 30 minutes.
During the session we will:
- Discuss your concerns and your baby's medical and developmental history
- Assess movement, posture, muscle tone and motor skills
- Observe play, balance and movement quality
- Answer any questions you may have
- Provide practical advice and simple activities to continue at home where appropriate
If the assessment identifies concerns that would benefit from further intervention, we will discuss the options with you. In some cases, a longer physiotherapy assessment or follow-up treatment session may be recommended to allow a more detailed assessment and the development of an individualised treatment programme.
Why Early Assessment Matters
Babies' brains develop incredibly quickly during the first two years of life. Identifying movement difficulties early allows therapy and advice to begin at the optimum time, helping babies develop their skills and reducing the risk of compensatory movement patterns becoming established.
Equally importantly, many parents simply leave the appointment reassured that their baby is developing exactly as expected.
Who Carries Out the Assessment?
Baby MOT assessments are carried out by Maggie Dawson, Lead Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist.
With over 18 years of experience working with babies and children, Maggie has extensive postgraduate training in paediatric physiotherapy and specialises in early motor development, neurological conditions and developmental delay.
Appointment Information
| Appointment | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Baby MOT Assessment | 30 minutes | £50 |
Book a Baby MOT
If you have any concerns about your baby's movement or development—or would simply like reassurance that they are progressing well—we would be delighted to help.
Early advice can make a significant difference, and sometimes the greatest outcome is giving parents peace of mind.
