Treatments
Osteopathy for babies
Osteopathy Laarman and babies
Treating infants requires more than just medical knowledge. Infants respond very differently to certain actions than adults simply because they are at the beginning of their emotional development. Thanks to our extensive experience with infants, we create a safe environment. We know how to touch the infant while involving the parents in what the infant is experiencing. Birth is an intense and significant event where both the mother and the child undergo strong compression forces. Because the contractions push the baby further into the pelvis, where it has to make a turn too, these forces can affect the baby’s malleable skull and the developing vertebrae. These forces could lead to minor ailments such as a blockade of the first cervical vertebrae (the atlas) on the back of the head. Babies that experience excessive compression during birth can experience discomfort and maybe even pain without it being visible to parents. What parents could notice is a restless, tense, and inconsolable baby. How to recognize specific issues (as a parent)?
- The baby has a preferred position
- The baby has a flattened head (Positional Plagiocephaly)
- The baby cries or vomits excessively
- There is a restriction of movement when the baby turns his/her head
- The baby moves his/her arms like he/she is experiencing stress
Even if babies aren’t capable of having a nice talk yet, they communicate with us all day long. In addition to the non-verbal behavior of the baby, the baby uses cries and sounds to communicate. After all, he/she has nothing else to make clear what he/she wants. So if you’d like to understand and know your baby even better, come and join one of our Baby Language meetings. Or request an individual consultation at our practice. And if needed, we are happy to visit you at your home at an increased rate.
Osteopaths can safely treat your baby and help you find the ideal position for your baby too. For example, the osteopath can treat a baby for colic and/or restless sleep.
The baby’s organs are not fully developed during birth. It usually takes another six weeks to develop them properly. When compression during delivery has deformed the spine, signals from the brain might be transmitted inadequately. This compression could influence the development of the baby’s organ system.
An example is a not fully matured lower esophageal sphincter, which causes the regurgitation of food (reflux). It usually is not a problem when your baby vomits. In case your baby vomits 15-30 times a day, chances are that the esophagus or airways become irritated. We pay close attention to these matters during every examination.
Collaboration with other experts
In our osteopathy practice Laarman/ Integraal Medisch Centrum Visana (Amsterdam and Zwolle) we work closely with (manual) pediatric physiotherapists, lactation consultants, maternity care, midwives and where necessary also with the relevant GP and/or consultation bureau. You are not alone! There is a whole team of experts ready for you at Osteopthie Laarman (part of IMC Visana Amsterdam and Zwolle)
Tips for young parents
Have you already completed the First Aid for Babies course? (Dutch) stichting-ehak.nl
Want to pamper your baby with relaxation? Think baby floating! (Dutch) floating-baby.nl
The treatment of your baby
When you and your baby come to the first consultation, we will start by talking about the course of the pregnancy and giving birth while paying close attention to the baby, but also your role as a mother. You could think of questions such as “What does the daily routine for the both of you look like?” and “What characterizes your baby?”.
In some cases, we find blockades during this examination that we can resolve immediately. The techniques that we use are usually experienced as pleasant by babies, although some can react strongly. Those strong reactions generally do not last a long time, and the baby will relax shortly after, and maybe even fall asleep.
After the consultation, the osteopath will examine the baby and pays close attention to the neck and skull. The osteopath does this examination on mom or dad’s lap or the treatment table in the office. The osteopath usually starts with examining the feet or pelvis to go via the tummy, chest, and back to the head. By doing so, the baby has time to get used to the osteopath’s touch while the entire body gets checked.
At the end of the consultation, the osteopath determines whether the treatment of the infant could be beneficial. If that is the case, we give an estimation of how many appointments will be needed to restore the baby’s balance. Indicatively, most babies will require three visits at most. Afterward, you decide if and when you would like to get the treatment done.
Common complaints in babies
Below you will find a number of common complaints in babies. If your baby has other complaints, do not hesitate to contact us.
Colic in babies
Colic is a common symptom in young babies, and can manifest itself in crying, fussiness, tense tummies and clenched fists. Although it is often harmless, it can be quite intense for parents to experience. Colic cannot always be completely prevented, but osteopathy can often reduce the intensity and frequency of the colic.
Colic in babies: what is it and when does it occur?
When do intestinal cramps occur?
Intestinal cramps can occur from the first weeks of life because the digestive system is still developing. Around the 6th to 12th week there is a peak moment.
From the 6th week, the intestinal system undergoes a second maturation phase. This is a normal, biological development, but can be accompanied by more gas formation, muscle contractions in the intestines and therefore cramps.
These symptoms often peak around weeks 6 to 12, and usually decrease slowly thereafter.
How do you recognize intestinal cramps?
- Crying and restlessness, especially at the end of the day or in the evening. The crying often sounds more shrill than normal.
- Baby pulls up his legs, clenches his fists and seems to want to overextend.
- Tense or hard abdomen that feels uncomfortable.
- Flatulence or frequent belching.
- Restlessness during or after feeding, sometimes with tense posture.
Painful colic attacks
In some babies, intestinal cramps manifest themselves in so-called colic attacks:
Your baby suddenly starts screaming intensely – a crying fit that sounds like pain, often in waves. A fit can include:
– A violent crying fit lasting a minute or more
– Followed by a short pause (quiet or even silent)
– After which the next wave begins again
This pattern can repeat several times.
Heartbreaking to watch, but it also has a function: your baby's body is actively working to get rid of air, tension or bowel movements. Although it is intense, it is often part of the normal maturation of the digestive system.
What can you do about intestinal cramps?
Heat: A hot water bottle on the baby's tummy can have a relaxing effect.
Abdominal massage: Gentle circular movements in a clockwise direction.
Movement: “Cycling” with your legs can help to expel air.
Rest during feeding: Avoid swallowing too much air by feeding calmly and burping regularly.
Carrying: Carrying your baby close to you (e.g. in a sling) can provide comfort and relief.
The diagnosis
An osteopath examines your baby's body for tensions or movement restrictions that can disrupt digestion. For example:
– Tension in the abdominal area or on the diaphragm, which makes it more difficult for the intestines to move freely.
– Restrictions in the spine, pelvis or sacrum, which can affect the nerve pathways that control the intestines.
– Restspanning na de geboorte, bijvoorbeeld door een lange, snelle of ingeleide bevalling, of het gebruik van een vacuümpomp of tang.
The treatment
The treatment is gentle and respectful and focuses on relaxing tissues and restoring natural mobility. This literally gives the intestines more space to function properly.
Many parents notice after a few treatments that their baby cries less and sleeps better. The stool becomes easier and the baby becomes calmer.
Digestion
Digestive issues are common in babies and can cause a lot of discomfort. Whether it’s reflux, constipation or other intestinal issues, these issues can affect your baby’s well-being and lead to fussiness, crying and sleep problems. It’s important to take digestive issues seriously and provide the right care so that your baby feels better as soon as possible.
Osteopathy can provide an effective solution for digestive problems.
In babies, digestive problems can manifest themselves in different ways, such as reflux (backflow of stomach contents), constipation (difficulty with bowel movements) and other intestinal complaints such as flatulence, bloating and painful defecation. These complaints can lead to a lot of discomfort, which often manifests itself in crying, restlessness and sleeping problems.
Osteopathy offers a gentle approach to supporting your baby’s digestion. By removing blockages in the body, improving abdominal mobility and stimulating blood flow, osteopathy can help relieve digestive problems and promote smooth digestion. This contributes to greater comfort for your baby and can help reduce or eliminate symptoms.
The diagnosis
At Osteopathie Laarman we always start with a thorough evaluation of your baby's complaints. We take the time to listen to your concerns and discuss your baby's medical history and eating and sleeping patterns. Through careful observation and targeted questions we can create a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your baby's needs.
The treatment
Our osteopaths use gentle manual techniques that focus on improving the mobility of the abdomen and reducing tension in the surrounding structures. By restoring the overall balance in your baby’s body, we improve the functioning of the digestive system and help your baby feel comfortable. The treatments are completely safe and painless, and focus on promoting the overall health and well-being of your baby.
Reflux-like complaints
Reflux-like symptoms in babies is a common phenomenon in which the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus. This is because the sphincter muscle between the stomach and the esophagus is not yet fully developed in babies.
If the baby in the womb has had hiccups more than 3 times a day in the last months of pregnancy, this is a strong predictor of whether the baby is at greater risk of reflux-like symptoms after birth.
Osteopathy can provide an effective solution for digestive problems.
In most cases, reflux-like symptoms are harmless and the baby will grow out of them on its own. Unfortunately, it can also be that it causes your baby a lot of discomfort. If the latter is the case, osteopathy can offer a solution.
Symptoms of reflux in babies
– Vomiting (sometimes with milk or stomach acid)
– Lots of crying, especially after feeding
– Poor sleep or restless behavior
– Belching or hiccups
– Poor drinking or refusal of food
– Constipation or diarrhea
Practical tips for home
Raise the bed slightly:Place your baby with his upper body slightly higher, for example with a slight slope under the mattress (never with a pillow under his head!). This way your baby does not lie completely flat, which can help prevent reflux.
Keep upright after feeding: Keep your baby upright for 20–30 minutes after feeding to help gravity with digestion.
Burp your baby properly: Make sure your baby can burp well after feeding to prevent air build-up and pressure in the stomach.
Pacifier after feeding: Although pacifiers are usually advised in moderation, sucking after a feed can help with reflux. It stimulates peristalsis (the rhythmic movement of the esophagus) in the right direction, which can reduce reflux
The diagnosis
An osteopath looks at the body as a whole. In babies with reflux, osteopaths often see:
Restricted movement in the neck: Due to a fast or long labor, the neck - especially high in the neck - can move limited. This can sometimes be seen with a preferred position or difficulty turning the head. Sometimes the pelvis moves along with turning, which indicates compensation.
Tension on the diaphragm: This muscle plays a major role in breathing and digestion. Too much tension here can press on the stomach, which worsens reflux.
Blocked tension zones due to childbirth: For example, at the base of the skull, spine or abdominal organs. Through gentle techniques, the osteopath can help release these tensions, which allows functions to run better.
Should our safety tests and symptoms indicate a possible suspicion of projectile vomiting or pyloric hypertrophy, we will always contact your GP. In this case, osteopathy is NOT an indication, but your baby should be seen by a paediatrician.
The treatment
Our osteopaths use gentle manual techniques that focus on improving the mobility of the abdomen and reducing tension in the surrounding structures. By restoring the overall balance in your baby’s body, we improve the functioning of the digestive system and help your baby feel comfortable. The treatments are completely safe and painless, and focus on promoting the overall health and well-being of your baby.
Sleep problems
Sleep problems are common in babies and can cause a lot of stress and worry, both for your baby and for you as a parent. It is normal for young babies to sleep a lot, but when your baby has trouble falling asleep, wakes up frequently or sleeps restlessly, this can disrupt their daily routine and be challenging for both parties.
Sleep problems can have various causes, such as discomfort due to abdominal pain, reflux, over-fatigue, growing pains or an agitated nervous system.
These complaints can make it difficult for your baby to relax and find or maintain sleep. Osteopathy offers a safe and effective way to address sleep problems. Through gentle, manual techniques, we focus on relaxing the nervous system, relieving muscle tension and improving the overall balance in your baby's body. This can help improve sleep, restore calm and improve sleep quality.
The diagnosis
At Osteopathie Laarman, we start with a careful evaluation of your baby's sleep problems. We listen to your concerns, discuss sleep habits, and any other symptoms that may be related to the sleep problems. Through a thorough analysis, we can create a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your baby's needs.
The treatment
Our osteopaths use gentle techniques that are aimed at promoting relaxation and restoring balance to your baby’s body. We focus on the nervous system and muscles that may be holding tension, which can hinder sleep. By relieving this tension, we help your baby to relax better and achieve a deep, restful sleep. The treatments are completely safe, painless and tailored to your baby’s age and needs.
Restless and crying babies
It can be particularly stressful when your baby cries a lot and it seems difficult to identify the source of the discomfort. Although crying is a normal way for a baby to express their needs, excessive crying can be a sign of underlying issues such as stomach pain, reflux, overstimulation or tension in the body. This can be very challenging for both your baby and you as parents.
Osteopathy can provide valuable support for crying babies.
Using gentle manual techniques, we focus on relaxing your baby’s body and relieving tension that may be causing the crying. The goal is to restore balance to your baby’s body, improve blood flow, and calm the nervous system, so that your baby can relax better and experience less pain or discomfort.
The diagnosis
At Osteopathie Laarman, we start with a thorough assessment of the situation. We take the time to listen to your concerns and discuss your baby’s crying behavior, as well as other symptoms that may be contributing to the crying, such as sleep problems, eating problems, or digestive complaints. Through a careful analysis of the situation, we can create a treatment plan that is focused on your baby’s specific needs.
The treatment
Our osteopaths use gentle techniques to relieve tension in your baby's body, improve mobility and calm the nervous system. By removing blockages and tension in the body, overall peace and balance can be restored, which can reduce crying. The treatments are completely safe, painless and tailored to the age and needs of your baby. Depending on the complaints, 3 to 5 treatments are often sufficient. In addition, you will receive advice that you can easily follow at home.
Preferred position
Many babies develop a preferred position, often turning their head to one side or remaining in a certain position. This can have several causes, such as a preference for a certain side due to their position in the womb, or a physical blockage in the neck or back muscles that makes it difficult to turn the head to the other side.
With a preferred position, a baby tends to turn its head in the same direction all the time.
In some cases, a preferred position can lead to asymmetry in the skull or even a condition known as torticollis (crooked neck). Osteopathy can help to correct preferred positions in babies by balancing the body and relieving blockages in the neck and back. Through gentle, manual techniques, we focus on improving mobility and relaxing the muscles that cause the preferred position. This can help your baby to move more freely and symmetrically.
The diagnosis
At Osteopathie Laarman we always start with a detailed evaluation of your baby's preferred posture. We listen to your concerns, observe your baby's posture and examine the mobility of the neck, back and shoulders. Through a thorough analysis we can determine whether there are any blockages or tensions in your baby's body and we can create a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your baby's needs.
The treatment
Our osteopaths use gentle techniques to relax the muscles in your baby’s neck and back and improve mobility. By releasing tension and blockages, your baby can move more freely and position themselves in a more balanced position. The treatments are completely safe, painless and tailored to the age and comfort of your baby.
Frequently asked questions about osteopathy
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During the intake interview we try to get a picture of your general health. Together we look at your medical history and current health complaints. In addition, we do a physical examination in which we look at the underlying cause of your complaints. Depending on the nature of your complaints we start treatment immediately.