cranial osteopathy on babies - any experiences/thoughts?

herman2811

Our 8 week old baby is generally very unsettled/colic-y, and our health visitor has suggested trying cranial osteopathy. It costs something like £40 per session but not guaranteed to work, so was wondering if anyone has any experiences or opinions?

barbiedoll

The theory seems to be that babies that have had a traumatic birth (eg, forceps, c-section, long, difficult labour, etc) may suffer pain or discomfort due to the soft bones in their skulls being shifted during the delivery. A cranial oesteopath can gently manipulate these bones back into their original position, thereby easing any pain that the baby may be feeling.

Many, many parents have told me that CO has been an absolute life-saver after they have tried everything else. Typically, these babies will cry incessantly, will be fussy during feeding, won't like being held for too long but will have trouble settling down to sleep. There may be other reasons for a baby to be distressed, colic, reflux, even nappy rash! But if you really think that there is no other medical reason for your baby to be unhappy, it may be worth trying.

£40 does sound quite expensive, although you may find that subsequent sessions (should your baby need them) will be cheaper. Do try to find one by word of mouth and make sure that they are fully qualified to work with small babies.

Good luck!

Counting_Pennies_2

Definitely. Highly recommend it.

If you think, the baby has been squashed for goodness knows how long. Then squeezed through the tightest tunnel, so its soft bones have had to bend and contort together to get out.

Cranial helps to realign the head following trauma. It doesn't just work on the head though, it helps realign the body in general.

I have it now as an adult. I went some time after I had an head on crash, and without even telling the cranial osteopath she noticed trauma and pin pointed them in my body.

Would recommend it.

PS - it is £45 where I am

msb5262

Hello OP,

Yes, I took my DD (baby #2) to the osteopath for cranial treatment. Her head was rather misshapen before treatment but sorted itself out soon afterwards. She also seemed calmer and more settled generally.

The osteopath was one I was seeing myself for neck/back problems and was fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council. She had also been recommended to me by a friend of the family who is part of this body.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend taking your baby for cranial osteopathy BUT please please make sure you find a proper osteopath.
Anyone can stick a brass plate on their door claiming to be an osteopath so be careful. If you Google "General Osteopathic Council", you can see a list.
When you have someone in mind, have a chat to them and see if you feel happy about it.

HTH

MsB

kafkathecat

ds had a difficult birth and was collicy and unsettled too. I didn't take him until he was 2 1/2 as I didn't know about it but it still helped. After the second session he stopped grinding his teeth, something he had done every night previously and never since. It is usually around 3 visits not ongoing.

herman2811

Sorry, should have mentioned that our baby was born by c-section, but I guess the above advice still applies. The latest thing the docs want us to try is a dairy-free diet for mum, who is breast feeding, though we're not convinced an allergy to cow's milk is the problem.

gratefulforhelp_2

I have no personal experience, but anecdotal evidence from friends is that is works brilliantly on babies.

Counting_Pennies_2

herman2811 wrote: »

Sorry, should have mentioned that our baby was born by c-section, but I guess the above advice still applies. The latest thing the docs want us to try is a dairy-free diet for mum, who is breast feeding, though we're not convinced an allergy to cow's milk is the problem.

My DS was c-section and had a very mishapen head, so it isn't all down to the birth canal

Mankysteve

herman2811 wrote: »

The latest thing the docs want us to try is a dairy-free diet for mum, who is breast feeding, though we're not convinced an allergy to cow's milk is the problem.

Its worth a try.

http://www.badscience.net/2004/09/cranial-osteopathy/

pigpen

When the baby is delivered by section they drag the baby out by its head often having had to wrestle it up out of the pelvis first and the cord is clamped and cut immediately, in a bright and noisy room.. if it was emergency section they have probably already had the trauma of labour and the squeezing that entails and maybe distressed already... section babies are often very traumatised. My LO had a pounding headache for a couple of days, she didn't want to be moved or touched and would cry if moved even slightly.. it is a horrible experience.

I took DD5 for CO, she had reflux and the doc wanted me to give her soya milk (she was breastfed) as she was so unsettled. She cried and fussed constantly, hated being laid flat and was generally a very unhappy little baby.

We had 9 sessions in total and saw improvement after the first. We went fortnightly and then monthly and she has been fairy good ever since. She slept better, she was happier and generally more settled, she took feeds better and was less refluxy/gripey after.

I'd def. recommend it... and I initially pooh-poohed it as a stupid waste of time and money.

herman2811

Thanks for all the replies.

On general googling, I've not been able to find any negative reviews, and with all the advice on here, think it's got to be worth a go. Fingers crossed it works!