Do you think cranial osteopathy would help?

[DUSTIN]

My DD is 11 weeks old. She suffers with reflux and has been prescribed Gaviscon. She also has a problem with her neck muscles and can only look right. We are waiting for a referral for the neck problem.

I have read lots of positive stories about cranial osteopathy on here but DH and GP sceptical. Has anyone had babies with these type of problems and did cranial osteopathy help? Thanks.

She could have torticullis.

You need to get some exercises asap.

CO helped my son for different things and I would definitely recommend it.

Definetly DS2 couldn't turn his head left and I took him - though I took him to a lady that does osteopathy in babies not just cranial

His neck and shoulder had been 'locked' during birth and also the base of his spine was compacted together (can't recall fully how she described it) because he was born by ememrgency section and apparently this is common in this situation if there is a contraction whilst baby is taken out!!

Anyway he was a totally different baby fed better slept better didn't cry as much

Well worth it - despite the lack of money at the time I don't regret paying for it for even a second

Fab GP said it could be torticollis so that's why we are waiting for a referral. GP said this could be a long wait and that's why I am looking at alternatives. I just hate to think of her being uncomfortable.

Buddleja DD has traumatic birth. She had to be delivered by forceps and she was in wrong position. Unfortunately they told me they turned her wrong way and this resulted in me having 4th degree tear- not very pleasant!! I have said since she was born that her head didn't seem right and after numerous visits to GP am finally getting somewhere.

Anyone else?

Take her to a CO straight away! The longer it's left the harder it is to fix. Don't listen to GPs.

Also get her to sleep on her side so that her head flops down on the side that it's reluctant to go to if that makes sense! Use rolled up towels.

Please don't wait as it can lead to plagiocephaly.

Thanks everyone.

Fab she already has plagiocephaly- that's why I am so worried.

My DD could only turn head one way after ventouse delivery. CO fixed it, took about 3 sessions I think. I also saw CO with DS when he has reflux and it did make things better.

CO does sound like such an utter pile of crap but I know plenty of success stores (including one for a GP's DD who had terrible colic).

My DD had it too, was left for months by the GP and we had to go private in the end. Definitely go for CO and if you are near Kent I can recommend a fabulous man.

Thanks Fab unfortunately I am in Cambridgeshire otherwise that would have been great.

Although my daughter didn't have a specific problem I found cranial osteopathy brilliant for helping her to relax.

I would take her like a shot.

I think I am going to give it a try. I guess the only thing that it could affect in a negative way is my bank balance!!

Thanks shigella. Do you have to find a CO that specialises in babies??

I took DD for 1st CO appt. She cried all the time- is this normal? Due to the crying the therapist said she couldn't do some of the treatments to her head so mainly worked with the rest of her body.

Could someone tell me what the CO did when they took their baby? Some of the procedures just seemed to involve lots of jiggling about of my DD and I want to make sure this is normal- sorry really paranoid mother!!!

Does anyone know?

When I took DS1 years ago I couldn't see what was happening at all. It looked like nothing! I think the actions are very tiny and subtle. But anyway - proof in pudding - he was much better after a few sessions.

It was all the jiggling about that worried me. I think the lady was trying to stop her crying but it just made her worse. DH said he could feel the anxiety from me so this probably didn't help DD feel relaxed. Do all babies cry alot during treatment? I don't want to keep taking her if it is going to upset her so much each time.

I think you need to go several times and not make a judgment based on one session.

Can you hold the baby while the CO does the work, if it helps with the crying? I seem to remember doing that sometimes.

It's not a magic wand - it needs some time.

Sorry I think I am just paranoid mum!! I think it is because my GP was negative about CO I was just worried I was putting DD through something that could be detrimental rather than helping her.

I have to admit though she has been turning her head alittle easier so maybe it is having some effect.

My GP was actually quite positive about it- really depends on the GP I think. Some of them will obviously think it's unscientific or something.

But I don't think it can actually do any harm. And if it does good then hooray!
When's the next appointment?

With us we didn't have a miraculous change in DS1 - he had ventouse delivery and was very agitated all the time and wouldn't sleep. After CO he still didn't sleep all that well but he seemed much calmer and not unhappy in himself. I think it was worth it.

I always take the view that when they cry it is because they're causing some change. (Ds2 who's got cp goes every week. Used to take ds1 for constipation.) It's subtle stuff but you can see/feel the difference after a couple of weeks.
I'd say persevere for a few sessions, then you'll have more of an idea.

Thanks her next appt is on Thurs but she has got her vaccinations on Monday so don't know whether to leave it for a week rather than upsetting her twice in one week.

Thanks yomellamoHelly the CO wants me to take one of DD towels so she has something familiar and she is going to show me some exercises to do with her.

All children react differently. My youngest DD goes very quite and still, almost like she's sleeping, the other DD gets a bit hyper and talks and fidgets when she's getting it done. This is the opposite of what they are like.

I really would persevere, my DDs are now 11 and 7 and go every couple of months (DD1 has an ongoing condition so needs to been seen, DD2 gets an MOT [grin}).