Birth is a physically intense event for a baby. Even after an uncomplicated delivery, a newborn's skull and spine can experience compression and tension that are worth addressing.
Why see an osteopath for your infant?
The most frequent reasons for paediatric osteopathy:
- Colic and unexplained crying — tension in the digestive area or diaphragm
- Congenital torticollis — deformation or tightness in the neck muscles
- Plagiocephaly — flattening on one side of the skull
- Feeding and sucking difficulties — trouble latching, baby frequently losing the breast
- Sleep trouble — night agitation, inability to find a comfortable position
- Reflux — frequent and painful spitting up
Extremely gentle techniques
Paediatric osteopathy is nothing like adult osteopathy. I work with pressures as light as the weight of a coin, to detect and release tension in the tissues.
The infant stays clothed, often in a parent's arms. The session lasts 30 to 45 minutes in a calm, reassuring environment.
When to come in?
- In the first weeks after birth, as a preventive check
- If the baby cries abnormally and cannot be soothed
- If you notice a head-turning preference to one side
- If breastfeeding is difficult despite good positioning
- If the skull looks asymmetrical
What to expect
Many parents notice a significant improvement from the first session. The baby sleeps better, cries less, feeds more easily. Results can sometimes take a few days to fully emerge.