JOE Wicks has been dad-shamed after positing a controversial photo of his baby daughter to Instagram.
But a group of experts, including a GP, sports scientist and physiotherapist has suggested the snap might not be as concerning as it seems.
Baby Leni can be seen dangling from a metal bar all on her own, while the fitness guru, 37, proudly observesInstagram
The Body Coach, with model wife Rosie and children Indie, Marley and LeniInstagram
In the post, seven-month-old Leni can be seen dangling from a metal bar all on her own, while the fitness guru, proudly observes.
The image is striking and Joe’s fans rushed to comment on it, with many not impressed.
It raised the question of whether Joe was foolish to encourage a baby to hang from a bar.
One person asked him: “Is that safe for her shoulders and joints to hang onto bars supporting her own weight like that?”
A second commented: “Please don’t do that to your baby he would be frightened.”
West Yorkshire based NHS GP, Doctor Sophie Newton, explained why the picture is not as shocking as it first might seem.
“Babies are actually born with a reflex called the palmar grasp reflex, which is an automatic response, causing their hands to close tightly when their palms are stimulated,” she told the Sun.
“This grasping reflex is present as soon as they’re born, and then starts to fade as they grow up,” she added.
IS IT SAFE TO HANG LIKE THAT?
According to Richard Blagrove, a senior lecturer in physiology and an expert in strength and conditioning at Loughborough University, the fitness fanatic is not doing anything wrong.
“Hanging from a bar is a natural reflexive action for a baby, and is nothing to worry about if just for a few seconds while a photo is taken,” he told The Times.
“If a child was being forced to do pull-ups or repeated hanging that would not be sensible, but I very much doubt that’s the case here.”
However, this is not to say letting the activity comes risk free.
GP Dr Rachel Ward of Woodlands Medical Centre, Didcot, warned of the dangers involved in letting your baby hang from monkey bars.
“If your baby doesn’t have strong enough head control their head can flop back from this position and cause pain,” she told The Sun.
“Children are also prone to a condition called ‘pulled elbow’ when the elbow joint partially dislocates when strain is put through the joint. A baby’s own body weight could cause this needs to be put back into position,” she added.
JOE WICKS
Joe, who is known as The Body Coach, and model wife Rosie are also parents to Indie and Marley.
He was one of the first influencers to find mainstream fame thanks to fitness and food posts on Instagram.
Joe was catapulted to national treasure status via his PE With Joe workouts during the Covid lockdowns.
His YouTube exercise classes — aimed at kids but loved by parents too — drew record-breaking numbers of viewers, saw him donate £600,000 to NHS charities and secured him an MBE.