Many people believe babies are too young and supple to suffer from any structural stresses and strains. However babies can develop restrictions and tension leading to a range of problems such as:

  • Irritability
  • Colic / reflux
  • Feeding difficulties / attachment problems
  • Constipation
  • Recurrent ear infections
  • Restrictions of turning their heads to one side (can lead to misshapen heads)
  • Sleep problems
  • Co-ordination and development problems

The birth process (whether vaginal or caesarean) places stresses on the baby, particularly the movement of the skull bones and membranes. See cranial osteopathy for more information.

Whilst in the uterus the baby may be subject to stresses and strains from restrictions of the mother’s body or external trauma (e.g. car accidents).

In a natural (vaginal) delivery the skull bones slide over each other (moulding) to help reduce the size of the skull to aid the birth process. Forceps or vacuum extraction can increase the strain on the skull bones. Normally after birth, crying and sucking help reduce the moulding. However, sometimes the baby is not able to resolve the tensions; this can show in a range of symptoms described above.

Even with a caesarian section the baby has different stresses. In an emergency caesarian the baby has still been subjected to the pressure from the contractions. The baby is then taken from a high pressure environment to a low pressure environment without going through the slow gradual compressive and decompressive forces of the normal birthing process. This can create a change in the baby’s tissues, particularly the chest, neck and head. Again this can lead to a variety of problems in the baby.

If the caesarian is planned (pre-labour) then the baby and the mother, are not hormonally (and possibly emotionally) prepared for the sudden change of environment. This can lead to a different set of stresses on the baby’s body.

Osteopaths recommend having your baby checked after birth to help release any tensions from the birth and prevent problems developing.