Whilst the experience of having a child is different for every parent, there are certain aspects to being a new parent that are almost certain for all. For example, a large percentage of new parents would say that since having a child, getting enough sleep has been difficult. In most cases, babies are often quite restless through the night, waking up on irregular intervals when they feel uncomfortable, want to be fed, or when their nappies need a change. Such regular interruptions can make it very hard for parents to get a fulfilling amount of sleep.
Whilst all children develop at different levels and some will start to sleep through the night before others, letting their parents have some well-earned rest, there are some steps that you can take to help your baby sleep comfortably.
What many people don’t realise is that babies generally suffer from stresses and tension in their body, often as a result of their birth. As they are born, new born babies are put under huge pressures, particularly around their head. The effects of birth can be lasting, leaving young babies feeling discomfort.
A build-up of pressure at the base of the skull can affect the nerves linking to other parts of the body, for example, nerves to the tongue and gut can leave babies feeling very irritable and nauseous and in some cases, this can affect suckling. Another problem commonly experienced by young babies is a build-up of pressure around the temporal bone. This is the bone that holds the hearing apparatus and Eustachian tubes; if compressed during birth, children can be prone to blocked ears and infections. As the head slowly moulds into place during the days after birth, the associated discomfort can lead babies to cry.
So how can we relieve our children of the pressures of birth? By visiting an osteopath, you can expect your child to be much more comfortable, allowing you to grab some more sleep each night. Cranial osteopathy is a particularly gentle variation of osteopathy that is well suited to vulnerable patients, particularly babies and elderly people.
How can cranial osteopathy help babies sleep?
A cranial osteopath uses gentle touch to help release the stresses and tensions built up in a baby’s body. By gently holding a baby, an osteopath is trained to feel extremely subtle pulses between all of the tissues of the body, including the head. When these pulses are distorted by strains and tensions in the body, specialists in osteopathy for babies can gently release them.
A common problem that prevents babies from sleeping properly is colic. As babies breathe through their mouths, even when feeding, trapped wind in the digestive system is common. Osteopaths can provide advice on how to release air bubbles, by a combination of leaning and stretching, releasing tensions and combatting abdomen pain from colic.
How do babies react to cranial osteopathy treatment?
In most cases, although they are in unfamiliar surroundings, cranial osteopathy treatment allows babies to feel relaxed and in many cases, they will happily go to sleep whilst an osteopath examines their body. Osteopaths believe that all patients are different, and before examining a child, will always ask you for as much information as possible, about your pregnancy and your child’s birth. During an examination, osteopaths will always make every effort to tailor treatment to your baby.
If you are worried that your child is having trouble sleeping and is suffering from discomfort, call our Halesowen Practice on 0121 585 8555 or our Wombourne Practice on 01902 894 894 to organise an appointment.
