Has anyone used a cranial osteopath?

[LostAndNeverFound]

What was your experience like? Did it work or was it a waste of money?

My 6 week old doesn't settle in the day, he struggles with sleep and is never settled. I can't put him down when he's awake because he just screams. Night times are good though and he generally sleeps really well. He's exclusively breastfed.

[lagoonhaze]

I love mine. Shes amazing. The whole family use her.

[TheChaoGoesMu]

I'm not sure if they claim to cure it as such as a rule, but its possible there are unqualified charlatans out there who might peddle it as a cure. I don't know, my experience of CO stops at the colicky baby.

[munchkinmaster]

chaos my point was not so much about small babies but the parents of children with disabilities and neuro-developmental conditions which COs may claim to 'cure.' I've met lots of people in this position who turn to alternative methods such as CO in desperation. They get sucked in, spending more and more time and money when they could be using both resources much more positively. Some people may feel better or gain placebo effect but many more get stuck in a negative cycle of trying for a little longer. I really think it is abhorrent to peddle a cure for something like asd or global learning disability.

I actually don't really worry on a day to day basis about cranial osteopaths. It's not like I lie awake at night seething over this..... It's just another view, my view from personal and proffesional experience of the bigger picture.

I'm off now as I think I'm going on a bit and boring even myself.

[LostAndNeverFound]

Lynette - I tried swaddling as my girls loved it, he wasn't impressed! On Wednesday I gave him a dummy when he looked tired and lo and behold he drifted off peacefully! So now we're in a feed, awake for 20-30 mins, give dummy, sleep until next feed routine. So at the moment that works for us. Night times are still really good. When he's awake I can't put him down so we just sit and talk about world until he gets tired . That's good enough for me at the moment. I think he was so unsettled because he could easily be awake for over an hour but then get overtired hence the screaming!

It really is interesting hearing people's views, I didn't realise it was a slightly controversial subject, I knew nothing about it.

[LynetteScavo]

I put of taking DS1 until he was 2.5yo. I wish I'd taken him when he was new born.

Finding the right practitioner is important, but good ones can do amazing things.

However, OP, I think not wanting to be put down at 6 weeks old is quite normal. Do you swaddle him?

[TheChaoGoesMu]

People are more than capable of deciding whether they can afford to take the risk or not. No one is twisting their arm behind their back and forcing them to go. The best they can do is see other peoples experiences and weigh up if its worth the risk or not.

[munchkinmaster]

But parents are not too young for the placebo effect and babies do tend to settle down themselves over time.

I see your argument that you can have a go, see if it works. But some people are investing cash and energy they can't spare.

[StealthToddler]

Ds4 (8weeks) has had 3 sessions. Took him because he was very unsettled in the evenings, crying inconsolably and not settling despite being very content during the day and sleeping brilliantly at night.
After the first session the colicky behaviour stopped and he was awake but happy in the 7-10pm slot. After the second he started settling by 8pm. Just a much happier baby in the evenings.

[TheChaoGoesMu]

I know theres evidence out there that says it doesn't work, but I have not come across anything that says its harmful. Despite the evidence saying it doesn't work, it did work for us. Its like the arnica debate where its said that arnica has little or no active ingredient and therefore doesn't work. But I think arnica is bloody brilliant at reducing bruising.

If there no evidence to say CO causes harm, and I haven't seen any , then I cant see the problem. Some might argue it doesn't work, some say it didn't work for them, some say it can work. My 6 week old was too young for the placebo effect, and he was a lot happier after. But each to their own, innit.

[munchkinmaster]

Unfortunately I do have some experience of harm but related to work so can't discuss here.

[TiggerWearsATriteSmile]

Oh, it made zero difference to the babies.

[TiggerWearsATriteSmile]

It's nonsense.
I went with my twins on recommendations that it was life changing stuff.
Handed over my money and watched the baby get a bit of a massage.

The lady that did it had some time off and the next appointment was filled by a young french guy who was supposed to be AMAZING (her words).
He did a lot of eye closing and deep breathing while feeling the babies head and not a lot else really. I had to try hard not to laugh.

I used to be quite alternative in my choices, that experience seemed to wake me up a bit though.
Save your money.

[TallGiraffe]

But sometimes you don't need to know how it works to see that it does work. I accept it doesn't work for everyone. But I know that it has worked for us.

DS might be clever, but I'm pretty sure he's not bright enough at 7mo for a placebo effect

[LostAndNeverFound]

Interesting. Seems I've started bit of a debate .

To be honest I have no idea how it works, my sister in law recommended it as she used it for her three when they were babies. My sister however did it for her baby on SIL's recommendation and it did naff all.

Although it does seem a bit dubious to be messing with a baby's skull. They seem so delicate.

Think I'll do a bit of research!

[CoteDAzur]

"Understand the practice"

Does anyone, really? Cranial osteopath claims to somehow feel a subtle rhythm from within the fluid around the brain, and "adjusts" it... How exactly?

There is very little evidence for it and quite a bit against it. There is no plausible biological mechanism by which it would work. It's practitioners claim to feel a pulse but when asked to write down its frequency (on the same person), they give wildly different figures. Systematic reviews in 1999 & 2012, not to mention several studies in between, found "insufficient scientific evidence to recommend" it and scientific community considers it quackery.

Would you say I need to read the dubious websites you get your info from do more research?

[nellyjelly]

Not much evidence base for c o. www.badscience.net/2004/09/cranial-osteopathy/

However if it works go for it. I am a rationalist so bit sceptical but each to their own!

[NoWayNoHow]

Oh, and it's 5 years since DS's treatment - I am more than happy to let any of you have him for the weekend so you can see how "placid" he is.

[NoWayNoHow]

Good grief, what a load of hysterical nonsense. Do you research, understand the practice and its uses before you clutch your pearls. Because I'm sure the UK and all its Health and Safety, codes and practices are missing this massive movement of thousands of terrifying baby-head-shape-changers...

This kind of ill-informed reactionary stance properly winds me up on a Friday morning.

[CoteDAzur]

If someone manipulated my baby's soft skull and she became placid or more sleepy, I would be very worried.

[TheChaoGoesMu]

Have you got any evidence that it actually causes harm please munchkin?

[BikeRunSki]

DD is seeing one at the moment. She is 19 months old and has never slept for more than a few hours at once. Waking several times in the night was killing me . She had a traumatic birth and was born by crash c section. Several people suggested cranial osteopathy (the explanation didn't sound too hippy doo-dah) to me. Three sessions in she sleeps like a log.

[munchkinmaster]

Except if you go pressing on soft babies skulls you can cause harm. I'm actually worried by someone seeing thier baby's head shape change.

[TheYoniWayisGerard]

DD had awful colic and reflux. Went to one out of desperation. Total waste of £70. She was calm for a couple of hours, but that was it. I could have saved money and just taken her for a walk.