If your new born baby has had a traumatic birth, was stuck in the birth canal during labour, was a posterior lie breach birth, or was an assisted birth using forceps or a vacuum extraction then you should consider a short course of treatment to remove the trauma or tensions these situations can cause to a new born baby.
These extra tensions, strains and stresses that these birthing conditions can cause are retained in the body and may only show up years later as physical deformities or slower mental and cognitive development.
During a posterior lie birth the pressures of the contractions and pushing by the mother on the baby, instead of passing down the back, up the neck and safely out through the stronger occipital bone, actually pass through the jaw, ears and temple of the head. These can have negative effects on the speech, eating and hearing centres of the body which are all now subjected to forces they are not designed to take.
This can lead to eating problems in the young baby such as vomiting, swallowing issues or breastfeeding problems.
Ear infections may be common in the first year of the baby's life. Speech or hearing can also be affected as the baby develops due to tensions retained in this area of the head.
The biggest part of the foetus's body is usually its head. If the head fits through the mother's pelvis, then the rest of the foetus's body should slip out fairly easily. If the foetus is born bottom first, it is possible that the body will fit through the mother's pelvis, but the baby's head will get stuck at the level of the chin. This condition, known as
a trapped head, is very dangerous.
a trapped head, is very dangerous.
When the baby's head comes first, it has a chance to "mould" during labour. The bones of the baby's skull are not yet fastened together the way they are in a child or adult's skull, meaning that the bones of the baby's skull can move. If the baby is born from the breech position, the skull does not have a chance to change shape to fit the pelvis, and it is even more likely to get stuck.
If the baby's head gets trapped, the possibility of injury is high. Once the baby's body is born, the umbilical cord usually stops pulsating (just as it would during a normal delivery). This cuts off the oxygen supply from the mother to the baby. If the baby's head is still inside the uterus the baby cannot yet breathe on its own. Therefore, it is essential to deliver the baby as quickly as possible.
The life saving attempts to deliver the baby's head can cause injury to the baby's neck or head resulting in permanent handicaps. In extreme cases, if the baby cannot be delivered within a few minutes, the baby might die. Obviously, it is critical to avoid a breech delivery with a trapped head.
During a Vacuum birth the skull bones often become deformed by the cap placed on the baby's head. This deformation may last for several months, but should return to normal within time.
CRANIOFACIAL ANOMALIES
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion (flattening of one side) of the skull.
Oxycephaly is a congenital abnormality of the skull in which the top of the head assumes a conical or pointed shape because of premature closing of the lambdoid and coronal sutures.
Scaphocephaly refers to the condition where the head is disproportionately long and narrow.
Trigonocephaly is the premature fusion of the metopic suture, in which a V-shaped abnormality occurs at the front of the skull.
It is characterized by a narrow pointed forehead, a flat broad nasal bridge with a short nose, vertical folds over the inner corners of the eyes, an abnormal palate, abnormalities of the ear and crossed eyes.
These are all different forms of a similar condition, where a single or several sutures of the skull have closed up early, either in the uterus or during development in the first year or two.
In instances where the baby has been born with a misshaped head without any medical intervention, doctors will usually wait a while and then offer to treat the child using a special helmet which he/she will have to wear day and night for many months until the head is reshaped. It is possible that this technique may also cause other tensions to develop within the cranial system which can have other detrimental effects to further cognitive development.
JAUNDICE
A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body.
Reasons for this include:
*All of these issues can be resolved with a course of Cranoisacral Therapy. The gentle techniques allow for the release of all strain and tension patterns within the baby's body due to the birth process and restore full head movement, improve coordination and allow for the normal development of the baby in the years ahead.
During a Vacuum birth the skull bones often become deformed by the cap placed on the baby's head. This deformation may last for several months, but should return to normal within time.
*If you would prefer to speed up this process and help the baby heal from the trauma, pain and possible physical damage that this process can cause the young skull and brain a course of Craniosacral Therapy is one of the best options.The abnormal shape of the skull can be returned to its normal shape within few treatments.Together with this any damage to the tissues underneath the bones can also be healed and repaired. Doing this at a very young age can alleviate the need to spend a lot of time and money later in life dealing with the possible results to the development of the brain 'cognitive or physical' or the speech or hearing centres.
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion (flattening of one side) of the skull.
Oxycephaly is a congenital abnormality of the skull in which the top of the head assumes a conical or pointed shape because of premature closing of the lambdoid and coronal sutures.
Scaphocephaly refers to the condition where the head is disproportionately long and narrow.
Trigonocephaly is the premature fusion of the metopic suture, in which a V-shaped abnormality occurs at the front of the skull.
It is characterized by a narrow pointed forehead, a flat broad nasal bridge with a short nose, vertical folds over the inner corners of the eyes, an abnormal palate, abnormalities of the ear and crossed eyes.
These are all different forms of a similar condition, where a single or several sutures of the skull have closed up early, either in the uterus or during development in the first year or two.
In instances where the baby has been born with a misshaped head without any medical intervention, doctors will usually wait a while and then offer to treat the child using a special helmet which he/she will have to wear day and night for many months until the head is reshaped. It is possible that this technique may also cause other tensions to develop within the cranial system which can have other detrimental effects to further cognitive development.
*With Craniosacral Therapy the same outcome can be achieved in a much shorter time period, without the need for wearing a helmet by simply applying the gentle techniques and pressures of the hands to the baby's head, allowing the bones to reshape and achieve the correct rounded shape of the skull instead of the elongated or one side shape common in these cases.
JAUNDICE
A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body.
Reasons for this include:
- Newborns make more bilirubin than adults do since they have more turnover of red blood cells.
- A newborn baby's still-developing liver may not yet be able to remove adequate bilirubin from the blood.
- Too large an amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby gets rid of it in the stool.
The most common types of jaundice are:
Physiological (normal) jaundice: occurring in most newborns, this mild jaundice is due to the immaturity of the baby's liver, which leads to a slow processing of bilirubin. It generally appears at 2 to 4 days of age and disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age.
Jaundice of prematurity: occurs frequently in premature babies since they are even less ready to excrete bilirubin effectively. Jaundice in premature babies needs to be treated at a lower bilirubin level than in full term babies in order to avoid complications.
Breastfeeding jaundice: jaundice can occur when a breastfeeding baby is not getting enough breast milk because of difficulty with breastfeeding or because the mother's milk isn’t in yet. This is not caused by a problem with the breast milk itself, but by the baby not getting enough to drink.
As mention above, the birthing process can lead to problems with the baby's ability to eat, drink or swallow.
As long as the problem is not based on a physical-mechanical problem, such as malformed or misaligned muscles, it is possible to improve and correct the feeding ability of the baby.
It is not uncommon for newborn babies to go through periods when they appear abnormally irritable or seemingly cry for no reason. However, if you suspect your baby is suffering from colic, you may look for the following symptoms:
Physiological (normal) jaundice: occurring in most newborns, this mild jaundice is due to the immaturity of the baby's liver, which leads to a slow processing of bilirubin. It generally appears at 2 to 4 days of age and disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age.
Jaundice of prematurity: occurs frequently in premature babies since they are even less ready to excrete bilirubin effectively. Jaundice in premature babies needs to be treated at a lower bilirubin level than in full term babies in order to avoid complications.
Breastfeeding jaundice: jaundice can occur when a breastfeeding baby is not getting enough breast milk because of difficulty with breastfeeding or because the mother's milk isn’t in yet. This is not caused by a problem with the breast milk itself, but by the baby not getting enough to drink.
*Craniosacral Therapy is very effective at treating and complementing orthodox medical treatments. CST will allow the body to process the bilirubin at a quicker rate, enhance the flow of other fluids around the body, improve the function of many of the young organs, and support the immune system.EATING AND FEEDING PROBLEMS
As mention above, the birthing process can lead to problems with the baby's ability to eat, drink or swallow.
As long as the problem is not based on a physical-mechanical problem, such as malformed or misaligned muscles, it is possible to improve and correct the feeding ability of the baby.
*Treatment can strengthen and improve the function of the muscles of the mouth and the throat.BABY COLIC AND VOMITING
Improvement to the nerves that coordinate them can also be improved if this is the limiting factor.
In cases of breast feeding where the baby is having trouble latching on or remaining attached to the breast for the duration of the feed, it is possible that the tongue or muscles of the mouth and lips are at fault. Again these can be worked on and their function improved.
It is not uncommon for newborn babies to go through periods when they appear abnormally irritable or seemingly cry for no reason. However, if you suspect your baby is suffering from colic, you may look for the following symptoms:
- cries vigorously for long periods, despite efforts to console
- symptoms occur around the same time each day or night, often after meal times, and usually ending as abruptly as they began
- shows signs of gas discomfort and abdominal bloating
- has a hard, distended stomach, with knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, and an arched back
- experiences frequent sleeplessness, irritability and fussiness
*In these cases or where the baby is constantly vomiting Craniosacral Therapy can improve the stomach, reducing the pain and allow it to function properly.Sometimes due to the birthing process the Vagus nerve can become more sensitised and as it travels down the neck into the stomach, which it controls, can be over stimulated and this can lead to the colic or vomiting problems.
*This is one of the times where a few light techniques to the base of the skull can alleviate this problem.PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS
*In cases where the baby's physical or mental development is slowed, Craniosacral therapy has had excellent results.SLEEPING PROBLEMS
If the baby is not moving a limb, head, arms or legs, as they should; has crawling or walking issues; co-ordination problems; is showing signs of slow mental and cognitive development, treatment can often help to improve their function, give them a 'learning spur', strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
Sleep problems are among the most common complaints that parents have about their young ones.
Needless to say, they can cause a lot of stress in the family. Kids end up tired and parents become exhausted from being up all night with the baby.
Typically, children with sleeping problems do not fall asleep easily and also wake up in the middle of the night. Whether a sleep pattern or habit is abnormal depends on the age of the child.
Sleep patterns in babies take time to develop into a normal sleep cycle (full night time sleep and awake during the day). Most new-born babies sleep an average of 16 hours a day. However, this can be one to two hours a time, depending on the individual baby. In fact, most babies do not develop normal sleep patterns, until about four to six months of age.
Birth may be a factor in causing the child's sleeping problems, even if it was a natural, unaided birth.
Tensions within the membranes surrounding the brain can be the cause of the sleeping problems. Strain patterns within the bones of the head, as well as muscular tightness through the body ( in the neck, shoulders or chest) may be contributing factors.
*The light touch of the therapist on the head bones, chest and abdomen will alleviate these problems, release any tensions the baby suffer from and cure their sleeping problems, allowing him/her to fall asleep easily and finally allow the parent to enjoy a good and deep nights sleep.EAR INFECTIONS- GLUE EAR
Young children often suffer from ear infections, cold and other mucus forming infections. These can lead to regular ear infections because the tubes in the ears, nose and throat of young children are smaller than those of adults and so these tubes can become blocked by the mucus and remain there or take longer to be removed by their body. In these cases doctors will often want to operate on the child, removing the adenoids and placing 'gomits' or 'tubes' into the ears to help remove the built up mucus and improve hearing.
*Craniosacral Therapy helps the body enhance its ability to remove the mucus and improve the immune system to reduce further infections.
More frequent feedings of breast milk or supplementing with formula to help infants pass the bilirubin in their stools may also be recommended. In rare cases, a blood exchange may be required to give a baby fresh blood and remove the bilirubin.
If your baby develops jaundice that seems to be from breast milk, your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop breastfeeding. During this time, you can pump your breasts so you can keep producing breast milk and you can start nursing again once the condition has cleared.
If the amount of bilirubin is high, your baby may be readmitted to the hospital for treatment. Once the bilirubin level drops and the treatment is stopped, it is unlikely that treatment for jaundice will need to be restarted.
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