Craniosacral Therapy For Babies

18 July 2022

CST for Babies Making the transition from the womb to the world can be tough on babies. Newborns can face challenges like tongue tie, poor latch for sucking, colic, wind, constipation, reflux, trouble sleeping, irritability, restlessness, irregular head shape, flat spots (Plagiocephaly) or tension in the neck and shoulders from head held to 1 side (torticollis).

Many of these issues could be a result of birth interventions such as vacuum extraction, forceps, or caesarean section. Also induction of labour, being stuck during labour, premature birth/stay in special baby care unit or just the transition from the womb to the world can be tough and stressful. I have found that many babies can actually be helped gently and naturally with craniosacral therapy (CST).

CST can help a baby find more ease within their systems, but it also helps new parents as they find their way in their new roles as mother and father. Bonding and attachment increase when the new babies and their parents can find more comfort in their new way of life.

My job as a craniosacral practitioner is to aid in the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. A person’s cerebral spinal fluid fluctuates, like a tide, from the cranium of the head down the spinal column and back up, but also throughout the entire body. It is a dynamic system and the movement of the fluid is connected to the health of every individual.

If the cerebral spinal fluid of an individual is not flowing with ease, it can cause some of the issues listed above. You might think of as gridlock versus smooth flowing highway driving.

For babies, undue stress or strain from fetal positioning, the birth, or other events can cause restrictions in the flow. When these restrictions are released, there is ease in the nervous system and multiple other aspects of physical functioning. Movement in the body and throughout the whole organic system of the human body functions in harmony when the cerebral spinal fluid is moving with ease.

During an appointment, I will ask about conception, pregnancy, birth and the immediate postnatal period. Then I will use my hands to “listen,” or palpate, the babies tissues and membranes to determine if the cerebral spinal fluid is experiencing restrictions. There is a specific flow to it that can be palpated by skilled practitioners. There is not stretching or rotation — the movement is from deep within, at the cerebral spinal level. It’s more like tracking and deep shifts, but at subtle, yet profound levels.

I will also tune into babies nervous system to see if they are stuck in an activated sympathetic state I.e. ‘fight or flight’ as a reaction to a traumatic birth and will gently help them to release any associated physical or emotional symptoms to allow them to be in the parasympathetic state of ‘rest and digest’.

An initial session for a baby will last approximately 60minutes, a lot of the time will be listening to Mum tell of her birthing experience, building a rapport with baby and then hands on treatment for baby and often Mum too. This first session is all about creating a sense of safety for Mum and Baby so that their Nervous Systems are calm and relaxed for me to start treating. Follow up sessions are usually 30-40 minutes.

The number of treatments for a specific issue may vary depending on the depth of the restriction. Results from treatments can take 1-3 days, as this technique is a holistic whole body treatment that works slowly, gently and deeply. The bones, cartilage, tissues, fluids, membranes, and fascia, and brain, all respond releasing constrictions. CST isn’t always a quick fix, on average I find after 1-4 sessions there is a noticeable improvement of any presenting symptoms. Babies are fully clothed for their sessions and are often treated in Mums arms, during a feed or laying on their back. We often will take a break if baby needs a nappy change or just a cuddle with Mum and I have rattles and a few interesting toys to gain their attention but you are welcome to bring anything from home, often a blanket or ‘cuddly’ is comforting for Baby as it smells familiar. Craniosacral therapy treatments use a very light touch and there are no adverse side effects.

Please get in touch if you would like to try this amazing treatment for your baby or give me a no obligation phone call to ask any further questions. I look forward to hearing from you.