How can Tracey help irritable babies?

Tracey starts with the basics and uses her experience to work through the array of possibilities as to why a baby might be distressed. Here she talks us through tips and tricks to soothe babies and when or why it might be helpful to enlist the help of an osteopath.

Precious cuddles time, the ‘skin to skin’ time for bonding - this important contact releases oxytocin known as the 'love or bonding hormone'. It helps in many ways in which to comfort both mum/dad and baby and results in less crying and sleep. This also stimulates the release of other feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, while reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine.

If the cuddles are not helping to resolve baby’s restlessness then the cause could be an unresolved birth trauma. This may result in persistent issues throughout life such as continuing restless behaviours and poor sleep. 

 Young babies and infants can have birth trauma, including tongue ties that cause feeding difficulties and digestive issues such as ‘Colic’.  This can lead to excessive crying and the development of poor sleep patterns.  Poor sleep can demand lots of attention and nursing causing increased stress for parents and babies.

As babies grow sleep patterns can remain poor building subtle signs of sleep deprivation as a habit, leading to irritability and poor concertation. This can have a detrimental effect on the immune system and learning.

 Osteopathy can help resolve birth strains that have resulted from a fast or tricky birth either vaginal or caesarean section.  Both can pull and twist and place increase pressure on the delicate cranial bones causing misalignment and strains through the new structures.  With a caesarean the lack of ‘Moulding’ of the baby’s head through the birth cannel can reduce the mobility of the suture increasing pressure and strains. Either can result in feeding and digestive difficulties or wonky head shapes thus impairing good sleep.

 Early intervention with Cranial Osteopathy may to help resolve these issues. Babies will need several treatments over a period of time and as baby grows to assist their body to develop without the birth strains. 

Cranial Osteopathy is a gentle hands-on treatment that eases the structures and bones of the cranium and sacrum to release and flow unhindered, resolving the issues presented.  Adults with poor sleep can also be helped with the use of Cranial Osteopathy.

by Tracey Jefford

M.Ost of OSteopathy and Dip Sports Massage