The Dorset Baby Whisperer
Excellence in neonatal and children’s osteopathic care
The gentlest and safest help for:
Crying babies, colic, wind, sickness, sleep disturbance, feeding difficulties, sinus problems,
ear infections and behavioural and learning difficulties.
- The Cranial Approach
- The Birth Process
- Emotional Effects
- What to Expect
- Crying
- Colic, Wind & Sickness
- Feeding Difficulties
- Ear / Sinus problems
- Behavioural problems and learning difficulties
The cranial approach
Cranial osteopathy is gentle, safe and effective for babies, children (and adults). Small tolerances of movement exist between the bones of the skull and exhibit a gentle pulsating motion felt by the practitioner. These movements persist even into adult life and a highly trained sense of touch can identify and correct disturbances and limitations of tissue mobility not only in and around the joints of the skull but throughout the whole body. Very specific light pressure (typically 5 grams) is applied to the head and body, allowing the natural release of mechanical stress and tension.
The birth process
The birth process is often referred to as the most dangerous journey we ever undertake. The delicate cranial bones (of the head) are subjected to enormous force and torsion as the uterus contracts against the resistance of the birth canal. Babies are naturally adapted to withstand and accommodate these forces – the soft bones of the skull can overlap, bend and warp (this is called moulding). The baby’s head and neck are tucked and twisted to present the smallest possible diameter of the skull. The baby has to dive under the pubic bone and twist out to emerge one shoulder at a time.
Many babies arrive with odd shaped heads, which reduce over a few days as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. The process of expansive settling of the skull bones is often left incomplete, particularly if it was a prolonged or difficult birth. Caesarean babies also have problems; they have not been through the moulding process and not benefited from the reflex expansion of the head with the first breath after being squeezed through the birth canal. Many babies are left with uncomfortable stress and tension within the head and body. In an ideal world all infants should be accessed for normal cranial function as soon after birth as possible. This can avoid many neonatal and later problems.
Emotional effects
There is also a much-neglected emotional journey that is travelled at birth. The birth process can be as painful and shocking to babies as it is for some mothers. Babies can be fearful, adrenal, jumpy and stressed, alert but thoroughly exhausted. New mothers are also often uncomfortable and feeling stressed not just by the birth but also by feeding routines, responsibility and lack of sleep, mixed with the joy and excitement of having a new baby. These kinds of feelings respond very quickly to simple treatment of the emotional stress.
What to expect
I will talk to you about your child’s problems or needs and will take a history of the pregnancy, birth and any relevant medical information. I will gently assess your baby/child to examine their head and body using some orthodox clinical investigation (e.g. stethoscope) and some by sense of touch to identify disturbances and limitation to the tissue mobility. Five grams of pressure (the weight of a 5p coin) is typical of the approach I use for examination and treatment.
Nothing invasive or frightening will be done and most babies and children enjoy their appointment.
I like to meet both parents if possible and grandparents are welcome too.
You need to bring your babies record book or any relevant information and their own blanket
(or a distracting toy or book if the are older).
Most babies need 3-6 treatments though this does vary with their age and can depend on the
severity of the problem. Babies and children are often relaxed and sleepy after treatment,
occasionally they may be more energetic or unsettled. This is temporary and usually clears
within 24-48 hours.
I may suggest using homeopathic remedies. These are harmless, have no side effects and can
be extremely helpful.
I may give practical advice that is designed to help continue to the treatment process at home.
I also recommend the all new mums have an osteopathic ‘MOT’ after birth. The dramatic change
in the mechanics and the softening of the structures of the body can leave a legacy of problems.
This can be gently corrected and allow faster natural post-birth healing for the mother.
Crying
An uncomfortable baby cannot tell you what the problem is but is irritable and grumpy. The baby
may have a headache or feeling of pressure and this may feel worse when lying down.
When babies just won’t settle there is usually a good reason why and many parents can feel a
sense of hopelessness that they can’t seem to help (besides being exhausted from lack of sleep!)
Colic, wind, sickness
This is very upsetting to watch in a small baby, they can squeal and draw up their knees and be inconsolable. The nerve that supplies the digestive system is often irritated in these cases. The warping or the cranial bones after birth can put stress on this nerve as it exits the skull. The diaphragm, abdomen and chest can also be distorted and affect the baby’s ability to retain milk. A difficult or fast birth can leave the digestive system in tension, trapping wind or producing pseudo intolerance to milk.
Feeding difficulties
Slow, windy feeders, sleepy/tired feeders and difficulties with the breast are often symptoms of mechanical stresses of the head, face, throat and jaw left over from birth. The nerve supplying the tongue may also be irritated as it exits the skull and the baby finds it difficult to suckle.
Ear/sinus problems
Retained moulding/compression at birth can impair the normal tiny gaps between bones that allow
free drainage and affect the level growth of the cranial bones – the result can be mouth breathers,
runny noses and glue ear.
Older babies and children often benefit from cranial osteopathy for these types of difficulties.
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties
Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity, continual
restlessness.
The moulding compression in the skull makes babies/children uncomfortable in one position for
long so that moving becomes habit forming. Severe compression can modify normal learning patterns
within the brain and affect the left/right balancing of brain activity.