Cranial osteopathy for my 5 month old- am I crazy?

[2childrenandout]

My DS (2nd child) has been very difficult from birth. He suffered with with terrible wind, hardly fed and if he did he screamed throughout. Poor sleeper too. Recently was diagnosed with a tongue tie and had it snipped. We're still having problems although he is taking more milk. Sleep is absolutely horrendous. Now we're struggling to get through each day entertaining a 2 year old and him. I'm at the end of my tether and am now am considering visiting a CO. Am I crazy and will it be a waste of money?

That sounds really hard especially when you have a two year old to entertain as well. I live in Germany and taking small babies to the osteopath is quite the in thing. I haven’t been with mine but have lots of friends who swear by it. Apparently b

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Apparently babies often have slight misalignments following birth which are otherwise unnoticeable but may cause various issues. I’m 38w pregnant and recently went to the osteo for back pain. I’m amazed how one treatment has had such an impact, especially considering how gentle it is.

I would give it a go. I hope things improve soon!

I took DS at the same age because we'd tried everything else to help with his reflux. I'm not convinced it did much for that but she highlighted a lot of other little things that had happened as a result of a traumatic delivery with him that made a difference to his wellbeing after a few sessions.

Hi!

We tried it when my little girl was about 8 weeks old. Went to two sessions (expensive) and it didn’t seem to do anything. I know what it’s like when you have a little one who cries a lot though, you will try anything to ‘fix’ them.

There is a thread in parenting called support thread for parents with crying babies- some of us have had similar problems to you if you want to go on over and have a look. For me cutting out dairy worked and my baby is completed different- except for sleep, which is still a nightmare!

You are not crazy.

Our midwife recommended it for us. Our DD was breach, she'd been so jammed up inside that one side of her neck had atrophied.

Although the manipulation of newborns is incredibly gentle and it almost looks like nothing is happening it frees up your baby and allows all normal movement to start happening.

Well worth the money I think.

Have you checked if he is cows milk allergy or intolerance?

Cranial osteopathy is a load of nonsense. There's no evidence for it and it's a waste of money

In your situation it's definitely worth a shot op. Go for it and please let us know if it helps, good luck!

We did it with DS after a traumatic failed forceps then c section birth. I can’t remember who recommended it, probably the health visitor.

It’s very difficult to tell if it worked objectively but the CO was very good and she said his skull was quite misaligned and over time she seemed very impressed with progress, DS didn’t mind it and I was happy to give anything a go as he cried a LOT!

Thank you for all your replies. We've tried everything. Different milks prescribed by docs, different bottles, teat sizes, tongue tie division, docs treating him for silent reflux, tried taking it all away... He's just so bloody miserable and doesn't sleep. I'll give it a go and let you know when it has a miraculous effect Thanks again x

Do have a little investigation into what’s available in your area. For example, if you happen to live near Bath there’s a trial going on meaning you can get some free sessions if referred by your health visitor. I’m sure I’ve also seen people post about a clinic in London that offers subsidised appointments.

My DD has had a couple of sessions and I’m still undecided as to whether it’s doing anything. She always seems very relaxed and calm during them though. I’m not sure we’d still be going if we were paying for them but they don’t seem to be doing any harm!

I’m sorry but I think it’s absolute nonsense. Some parents may experience the placebo effect or some sort of confirmation bias but I doubt it will make your baby feel better.

Have you tried Ranitidine?

I appreciate your honestly and directness @FartnissEverbeans! We're off to the docs.(again) tomorrow. The next level of medication for silent reflux is the last thing I can think of to try, then I'm out of ideas.

OP, have you checked for dairy intolerance or allergy? The symptoms you mention could be indicative of that

@PainUni thanks for the suggestion but yes we've treated him as if he has CMA or if he was lactose intolerant.

It’s worth a try. I see a cranial osteopath myself for back pain (and have for years) and it’s always the only thing that ever helps.

I saw one with my first who had feeding issues. It didn’t help but I think it’s because her problems weren’t anything an osteopath could have fixed. I saw them again with my 2nd who had torticollis (his neck was stuck in a weird tight position which wouldn’t have been noticeable to anyone else but I could tell from birth that he favoured one side). It was quite stiff because of how he was positioned in the womb, but 4 appointments later, he was like a new baby and it was very worth it.

They aren’t magicians, but if there is a genuine structural problem, it can make a huge difference.

My son always had his head on the side and was really colicky... went to CO and he suddenly started to turn his head so he would lie on back of head.. he was so much happier too!
He was ventouse delivery and twin 2 so she explained extra contractions, ventouse etc had put pressure on his head and neck. Totally would recommend x

I would recommend. I have no scientific data but from personal and anecdotal experience I think it can work, especially for babies who had forceps/ traumatic births. Good luck.

We had great results with CO. My DD was struggling with trapped wind and was crying most of the time she was awake. After one session she improved dramatically, it was like her body visibly softened and relaxed and her crying reduced to very little. I'd really recommend it

It is a long time ago now (DD is now at uni) but we visited a CO with DD at around 4 months and she slept easily for the first time, immediately afterwards. It may we’ll have been coincidence but we were very grateful!

How long did you try dairy free for?

A CO really helped my reflux daughter with terrible trapped wind and constipation. She is dairy free and they gave me great advice about her diet and how to minimise her wind from certain vegetables etc.

OP, you can try CO but honestly it is much more likely to be a food allergy problem. Have you tried being completely dairy and soya free for 3 weeks?

Ranitidine sorted our son right out. It was amazing. The difference when we accidentally missed a dose was immediately obvious. Some docs try to give gaviscon first.

Good luck OP

Not at all. The only crazy thing is you will wish you had done it sooner!

Make sure you see one who specialises in baby and children.

Ignore the idiot above who said this Cranial osteopathy is a load of nonsense. There's no evidence for it and it's a waste of money. Yawn.

I can honesty say it was life changing for us.