Can Osteopaths help babies?
Yes. The osteopaths at Eastern Osteopathy have all completed further studies in the field of babies and children. Our osteopaths can help to assess and release tensions induced during birth or pregnancy which may be causing symptoms such as: difficulty latching, constipation, reflux and poor sleep.
Is osteopathy good for babies?
An osteopathic treatment can be very beneficial for babies from a very young age. Each baby presents with their own unique strain patterns which contribute to their symptoms and your osteopath is trained to assess and treat these often subtle tensions/restrictions. Treatment is always very gentle and non-invasive. Many babies even fall asleep during their treatment.
Why do babies need osteo treatment?
There are many reasons parents bring their baby in for an osteopathic treatment. Some of the more common reasons are:
difficulty sleeping
favouring turning the head one way
reflux
vomiting, constipation
hiccups
difficulty getting a burp up
trouble latching
being generally unsettled.
These symptoms are often caused by the birth - whether vaginal or caesarian birth, quick or slow, with or without intervention - many forces are put through the baby’s system during birth and can result in tensions as the baby grows.
Osteopath treatment for babies sleep
At Eastern Osteopathy we often treat babies that have difficulty sleeping. Each baby is different and a case history of the pregnancy and birth will be taken along with a hands-on assessment to help determine why your baby is having trouble getting to sleep, or only sleeping for short periods. Often there is tension in the cranial bones contributing to poor sleep. Sometimes there are strains in other areas or systems of the body causing discomfort and interrupting the sleep process.
Osteopath treatment for babies with reflux
Babies often come to the clinic for treatment because they have reflux. A case history and assessment can help determine the cause of the reflux. Often times, tensions from birth contribute to irritation through the diaphragm, oesophagus, stomach or the beginning of the small intestine resulting in pain or vomiting following a feed. Sometimes immediately after a feed, other times 30-60 minutes later. Treatment is always based on each baby’s individual presentation.
What can an osteopath do for my baby?
An osteopath that treats babies is trained to recognise and feel subtle changes in the anatomy and physiology of babies. They can help to gently release strains or tensions that may be present from the birth or in-utero. Some common reasons babies are bought in for a treatment are: trouble feeding or latching, constipation, wind, reflux and trouble sleeping.
Osteopath treatment baby breastfeeding
As osteopaths we often treat babies that have difficulty breastfeeding. These difficulties can result from a variety of reasons. Some babies have trouble turning their head one way, so may latch easier or more comfortably on one side than the other. Tension through the base of the head or the jaw may be impacting the ability for your baby to open their mouth wide enough to get a good latch.
Osteopath treatment for flat head
During their birth, baby’s bodies can be subjected to a lot of force - some natural and some from necessary intervention. These forces can result in strains, tensions and restrictions that osteopaths are trained to recognise and release. Some of these restrictions can lead to a baby preferring to turn their head one way and can result in a flattening to the area of the head the baby spends most time on. Treating the cause of WHY the baby prefers looking one way as well as ensuring the cranial bones are functioning and moving optimally can allow for improvements to the flattening.
Osteopath treatment for babies digestive problems
Many babies present for an osteopathic treatment due to digestive problems. Common symptoms are: constipation, straining and grunting to poo and being unsettled in the lead up to a bowel movement with relief following. Osteopaths are trained to assess and treat the cause of these symptoms, which can often be related to strains induced from the birth. Every baby is different and a thorough case history and assessment is always performed to determine why your baby has their symptoms.