On Father’s Day, Blake Lively shared a snapshot of her husband, Ryan Reynolds, proudly smiling at the camera and wearing a baby carrier.

Their daughter, James, was secured inside it - but all that was visible were her tiny sock-clad feet.

Her head was completely hidden from view.

The 27-year-old Gossip Girl star jokingly captioned the shot: “Since the day our baby was born, I've felt so strongly in my heart that you were most likely the father.

“#ILoveYouSoMuchItsSilly.”

However the photograph sparked outrage online, with many parents slamming the new dad for strapping his baby incorrectly into the carrier.

One wrote: “The reason the baby is unsafe and is obviously in the carrier wrong is because of the leg positioning, the baby should be in the seated position… that is how they are secure.

“The legs would be coming out the sides instead of the bottom.”

And now, speaking on the Today show, the Green Lantern actor has addressed the controversy for the first time.

The 38-year-old admitted: “I’m a first-time dad, and that is not the first mistake I've made. “I can guarantee you it won't be last.”

Ryan added: “I’d never used that particular carrier before. Every other time has been perfect.”

His words echo that of his supporters, who spoke up on his behalf on Instagram to defend the actor from negative comments.

One wrote: “Everyone is at one point first time parents. We all make mistakes! What made you perfect?! Give them a chance to be a human being. [sic].”