Osteopathy & Babies

What to expect in an initial Osteopathic appointment for your baby

A full paediatric case history is always taken, this includes finding out about pregnancy and delivery, whether you have any concerns (for example with feeding) and your baby's general medical health. After this, with parental consent, an Osteopathic assessment is carried out, this includes:

• Taking paediatric reflexes and checking for tongue-tie (should a tongue tie be present this will be discussed with you and appropriate referrals will be made with your consent).
• Osteopathic check - this is where the practitioner feels for the small natural changes of movement in the body called involuntary motion. This feels like tiny expansions and contractions of the body. Disturbance to an individual's involuntary motion can happen through the birthing process.
• Advice on how to help your baby develop their physical skills, including the importance of tummy time and fix and follow exercises to encourage good head movement and control as your baby grows.
• Most importantly time and space is offered to you, allowing you time to ask any questions you may have about your baby and their physical development.

Should any stresses or strains be felt, this will be fully discussed with you and treatment offered.

How do Osteopaths treat babies?

When treating babies, Cranial Osteopathy/techniques are preferred as they are safe, gentle and non-invasive. Cranial Osteopathy involves the practitioner feeling the small natural changes of movement in the body called involuntary motion. This feels like tiny expansions and contractions of the body. Disturbance to an individual's involuntary motion can happen through the birthing process.

On average 3-5 appointments are enough, but this can vary depending on the extent of symptoms.

Are there any side effects of Cranial Osteopathy in babies?

In babies, possible side effects could be hunger, tiredness or a full nappy after treatment. Babies generally find the treatment very soothing and tend to sleep through their appointment.

Training required to be a Cranial Osteopath

Having completed her 4-year degree in Osteopathy in 2009, Emily then trained with the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy at post - graduate level to study Cranial Osteopathy. Emily has completed Osteopathic paediatric courses and continues to update and refresh her knowledge.

Blending Osteopathy and Infant Feeding

Emily is also a qualified infant feeding coach. When assessing and treating babies in her role as an Osteopath, a feeding assessment (whether you are breast feeding or bottle feeding) can also be carried out as part of an osteopathic appointment at no extra cost. This means you get the best of both, as well as lots of useful tips from both an osteopathic and infant feeding perspective (often feeding position advice is also included to help your neck and shoulders too!)