You’ve got a young child, and you’ve got no idea why they’re very unsettled.
You go through the common reasons:
- Hungry?
- Tired?
- Wind?
- All of the above?
Maybe they’re in PAIN. But they don’t have a fever, and you dose them on panadol and it doesn’t change them… If only they could TELL you, right?
Here are the 8 most common questions we get when helping mums and dads with their unsettled children…
1. What do osteopaths do for babies?
Osteopathy may assist a baby or child’s strains or stresses placed on their bodily systems adapting to growing including from the womb where they may have been squished into a small space, and then the forces placed on them during birth, whether it be through the Mother’s pelvis or via the ‘sunroof ‘(C-section).
2. Is osteopathy safe for babies?
Yes. Osteopathy is a gentle and safe, hands on treatment modality. Post treatment you may notice the baby feeds or sleeps better, or they may also open their bowels more frequently. They may also be unsettled for a few hours however this is temporary lasting 24-48 hours.
3. What age can a baby have osteopathy?
Technically they come in at any age! Babies are already receiving treatment if Mum comes in for treatment during pregnancy – a true privilege to treat a pregnant Mum and her unborn child.
4. Do osteopaths help babies sleep?
A baby can be in an alert state causing them to have difficulty sleeping. This may occur during a quick or traumatic birth, or difficult pregnancy. Osteopathic treatment may help settle the nervous system, and in turn, help baby to sleep. An osteopath will also investigate other reasons that may be contributing to poor sleep.
5. Can an osteopath help with baby reflux?
Birth can be a traumatic event, even if the birth goes smoothly. The baby may have compression at the base of the skull and osteopathic treatment can relieve tension. Tension in the diaphragm can be compressing the oesophagus, trapping wind. Strain through the umbilical cord being wrapped around the baby’s neck may also cause strains to the abdomen.
6. Does my baby need cranial osteopathy?
In the first few days after birth (vaginal or C-section), extreme moulding of the babies head will start to shift with suckling, crying and yawning. Sometimes that moulding can be incomplete, especially if the birth had force exerted with forceps or ventouse, and osteopathy can help to relieve those strains.
7. How many cranial osteopathy sessions do babies need?
The benefits are often long lasting as the body adapts to the changes from the treatment.
8. What happens during cranial osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy is one of the many techniques used by osteopaths during hands on treatment that encourages the release of stresses and strains in the body, including the head. Be assured that there will be no ‘cracks or pops’ when treating babies and children. During the treatment, the osteopath will cradle the baby’s head, or any other area of the body, in order to release any imbalances or strains in the system. Osteopathic treatment is gentle and may have big overall changes, even after one treatment!