Common Infant Conditions That Can Benefit from Osteopathic Care
As a parent, there’s nothing more important than your baby’s health. It is common for infants to deal with a wide range of ailments such as colic, latching issues, and breathing issues. Osteopathy is emerging as the preferred alternative treatment for a wide range of issues ailing infants. An osteopath for babies specialises in identifying and treating congenital issues. Since osteopathy is a drug-free and non-invasive approach, it is well-suited for babies. In this blog, we list the most common infant conditions treated by osteopaths in Brisbane.
Latching
Breastfeeding is crucial for a baby’s growth. It can be quite concerning for parents when the kid refuses to or is unable to latch. Identifying the underlying cause as quickly as possible is essential for your child’s well-being.
Latching problems stem from different reasons, such as:
-Tongue-tie -Jaw misalignment -Prematurity -Medical conditions During the birthing process, the infant’s body twists and turns. Their body is put under immense stress, which sometimes leads to different congenital issues. Misalignment of the skeleton makes it difficult for the infants not only to suckle but also to breathe without difficulty. A trained osteopath can identify and offer lasting relief to your infant’s health issues. That too, using a gentle, hands-on approach without any side effects!
Torticollis
Also known as wry neck, torticollis is a common condition in newborns, characterised by the child’s head tilting to one side and the chin rotating to the other. Torticollis is caused by a neck muscle issue that arises from positioning in the womb. It is associated with a limited range of motion in the head and neck. Cranial osteopaths in Brisbane offer effective relief for torticollis. They address structural imbalances by assessing the baby's entire body.
Colic
Crying, crying, crying! Has that been the only noise in your home lately? If yes, it is time to consult an osteopath immediately. An osteopath can offer lasting relief for colic. Here’s how to identify colic. It is most likely colic if your baby is crying for: -More than 3 hours a day -More than 3 days a week -3 weeks consecutively Underdeveloped digestive system, gas, and improper feeding techniques are all reasons causing colic in infants. Here’s how osteopaths offer effective treatment of colic. -Releasing diaphragm tension through manipulation techniques -Cranial osteopathic techniques -Enhancing the baby’s relaxation response -Improving feeding posture
Constipation
It can be quite uncomfortable for your infant when they have trouble passing stool or wind. Both issues can lead to other health problems if not addressed in time. A quick visit to an osteopath can provide lasting relief from common problems in infants. Osteopaths leverage visceral techniques, such as bowel mobilisation, diaphragm release, and cranial osteopathy. The approach differs depending on the general health, age, and medical conditions.
Reflux
If your baby has been spitting out milk soon after you feed them, it could be because of reflux. This happens because newborns do not have a strong or fully developed lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Apart from posseting, here are some other common symptoms of reflux. -Irritability -Arching the back -Refusing to latch -Intense crying -Poor sleep pattern Osteopaths treat reflux by addressing structural tensions, leveraging cranial osteopathy techniques, and supporting the nervous system.
Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)
Does your baby have a flat area on the top or the back of the skull? It is usually due to the pressure exerted on the area while the fetus is in the womb or during the birth. The asymmetry, although harmless in most cases, could lead to feeding issues if left untreated. Here are different causes of plagiocephaly:
- Lying on the back for a prolonged period
- Torticollis (wry neck)
- Premature birth
- Difficult delivery
- Vacuum or forceps extraction
Here’s how an osteopath for babies treats plagiocephaly.
Recommending optimal sleeping and feeding positions
By recommending techniques and positions for carrying, feeding, and putting to bed, an osteopath helps avoid situations that could worsen plagiocephaly. The key is to help reduce pressure on the flattened area.
Improving Posture
Several factors affect the posture and head positioning of the babies. Posture and positioning issues cause the baby to rest in one position for too long. This, of course, contributes to plagiocephaly. Through hands-on assessment, osteopaths identify postural imbalances. Once identified, they fix it through hands-on methods such as Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques (OMT).
Conclusion
An osteopath for babies can help alleviate many congenital issues and discomfort. If your infant has been fussy and irritable lately, booking an appointment with an osteopath is highly recommended. Prime Health Hub is the most trusted osteopath in Brisbane and the suburbs. Their senior osteopaths have decades of experience in treating newborn babies. The combination of experience and a scientific approach means guaranteed results. Prime Health Hub offers lasting relief from pain and discomfort to everyone, from babies and children to adults and seniors.
