Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to communicate with them to help stimulate their learning.
While the benefits of osteopathy are well-known for adults, its use for babies is sometimes less considered. Yet, its effects are often surprising in the youngest children, and its scope is particularly broad: difficult birth, disturbed sleep, digestive problems, inconsolable crying, breastfeeding difficulties, or even recurring bronchitis are all reasons to consult an osteopath for your baby.
Ready to give it a try?
How does osteopathy work?
Osteopathy views the body as a whole and is based on the principle that its various structures (joints, ligaments, muscles, organs, etc.) are interdependent: any malfunction in one element can affect the others and unbalance the entire organism. Therefore, osteopathy does not focus on treating a symptom but its cause, through manipulations that restore proper mobility to the organ tissues.
Recognized by the medical association, this therapeutic method does not replace conventional medicine but provides a complementary approach that often makes a difference. Its applications are numerous: in adults, it is known to relieve back pain, sciatica, and joint pain, but it can also help treat a wide range of conditions such as constipation, urinary tract infections, asthma, ear infections, migraines, sleep disorders, and stress.
Also consider this during your pregnancy The osteopath can help you relieve any pain and prepare your body for childbirth.
What are the indications for babies?
There's no age limit for consulting an osteopath! In fact, babies are particularly receptive to this technique, which often produces spectacular effects on them. In the weeks following birth, a quick osteopathic check-up is always beneficial. childbirth This subjecting the baby to strong pressures often leads to microtrauma. Some maternity wards even offer osteopathic consultations as a matter of course.
This session is especially recommended if the birth was difficult: a prolonged or, conversely, very intense and rapid labor, the use of forceps or vacuum extraction, a breech presentation, induced labor, or a cesarean section often disrupt the normal functioning of the baby's cranial structures. The osteopath can detect these potential problems and correct them quickly.
Subsequently, the osteopath can help you with a multitude of issues: excessive crying, frequent regurgitation, colic, digestive problems and reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep disorders , signs of anxiety, recurring bronchitis…
Also, make a habit of carefully observing your baby: excessive arching when you hold him in your arms, a flattened skull at the back, a head always turned or tilted to the same side, stiffness of the limbs, postures that seem strange to you or a lack of tone are all signs that can reveal small blockages that an osteopath will be able to correct.
How does it work?
As with a doctor's appointment, the session always begins with a consultation: the osteopath will ask you about your baby's birth, their behavior, any issues you may have noticed, and of course, the reasons for your visit. Then, they will position your baby on the osteopathic table, either lying down or sitting against them, and will perform various gentle manipulations to check the mobility of different parts of their body and, if necessary, treat any dysfunctions.
While impressive cracking sounds are sometimes heard during osteopathic sessions for adults, nothing of the sort is involved with babies: the manipulations are very gentle and delicate, and completely painless. Often, they provide such deep relaxation that babies become completely at ease. They may even sometimes fall asleep during the session!
However, sometimes babies don't like certain touches (especially on the head) and start to cry. They may also simply be frightened by the touch of a stranger. Don't panic: your baby isn't in pain! Your calm presence will help reassure them: hold their hand, talk to them, or sing them a favorite lullaby to help them calm down.
Physical blockages in babies are usually quick to correct, because their young bodies are very mobile: one or two sessions of about 30 minutes are usually enough to restore their physical comfort… and their joy of living!
