With children, we find that more and more midwives and health visitors are recommending mothers to take their newborns to an Osteopath for a postnatal check-up as a standard procedure. We can assess osteopathically to ascertain whether their tiny little bodies are still retaining some of the tensions and strains that they have endured through the huge amount of pressure placed on their body whilst going through the birth canal when being born.
We especially recommend it if the labour a long or difficult one where the baby may have got stuck, or was not quite lying the right way, or required any form of intervention such as forceps or ventouse delivery for delivery. Even babies born by caesarean section would benefit from a check-up as they have not had the chance to go through the normal birth process which is important for their start in life.
The strains and tensions may cause them some discomfort which may trigger off things like colic, excessive crying, poor sleeping patterns, difficulty feeding etc….. If left untreated, this may contribute to future problems later on in life such as headaches and sinus problems, behavioural problems, learning difficulties etc. A few sessions may be sufficient to release these strains to make the baby more comfortable.
Cranial osteopathy is commonly used as a very gentle treatment where the baby can be in any position where he/she is happy, either lying down, held by mum or dad, being fed, playing with a toy or even crawling around. Babies are usually quite unaware that they are being treated and tend to enjoy the extra attention. lf at any time, your child becomes unhappy or distressed, the parents may cuddle the child for as long as necessary as treatment can be continued whilst in the parents arms.