Hv has just recommended cranial osteopathy for 4 week old sleep - worth the expense??

[Jellybabie3]

Any experiences. Ds had stressful birth. Worth the money??

I've recently visited a chiropractor with my 10 week old as he was dreadfully unhappy and had a really shallow latch when feeding. Midwives and HV all said he was fine as he was putting on weight. A bit of me thinks it's quackery, but in 2 sessions the rather alarming ridges round the plates of the skull of my baby have gone down, he's happier and his latch is much better. I think in part it is as a pp said - you want to feel like you're doing something. If you can afford to go, then I would, but don't feel like a terrible parent if you don't.

Our DS was 6 weeks prem under an emergency c section. We had weeks of misery with him not sleeping and being a generally unhappy baby. We took him for 2 sessions and he was a changed child. Can't know for sure, as at the guy recommended goat's milk at the first appointment, which we tried at the same time. But either way, it was either his osteopathy or his goat's milk advice that worked, so well worth his fees.

I'm a huge supporter of CO (and I'm very skeptical about alternative treatments normally).

Took dd when she was about 6 weeks old because she would only turn her head to one side when sleeping so was deforming her skull - 1 session of what looked like cuddles later and she slept both ways from then on. I still see CO for me - she completely cured HORRIFIC tooth/jaw pain in one session (jaw was apparently out of line) - from taking painkillers every 2 hours to nothing in 20 minute session!

I know it sounds impossible and if I heard it I'd say "placebo" but I really do think it works!

if you are in SW london I'm VERY happy to recommend!

I had an assisted delivery with DS, and after he was born he had tongue tie and also the issue you've described (constant writhing and grunting when sleeping).

I was desperate to get him feeding and sleeping better so paid for a course of cranial osteopathy. In hindsight I'm not sure it did anything, as it was quite a while after the sessions stopped that DS improved. But at the time it made me feel that I was doing something productive to 'fix' things, which was invaluable.

So I think it depends how much money you have spare! I do know others who are confident it worked for them.

FWIW everyone told me at the time that the grunting when asleep was just DS getting used to his digestive system and it would eventually stop. I struggled to believe then because it was so bad, and did not magically stop at the promised 3 month point. But gradually it did ease off until one day I realised he wasn't doing it any more.

You could always try an initial session of CO and see how you find it? I hope things improve soon x

Jelly, mumsnet is costing you a fortune

This ^

● Cut up an old duvet cover or sheet to make a 1.5m by 0.5m swaddle = £0
● 1 pack of dummies = £3

And understand that a hungry baby will never settle easily. Feed feed feed.

@StepAwayFromCake I know, didn’t mean to come across as criticising

OP if you have the money there’s nothing to lose, you may get good results! But, honestly, everything you describe is pretty normal newborn behaviour x

Thanks all thats interesting its 50-50. I'd never heard of it. Not sure we will do it because of the cost. See how desperate we get!! Ds has been getting bit more settled although last night was a howler taking 3hours to settle at 2am til 5am. As i said i assumed most of what i said was him just being a baby. We have some free (!) Massage sessions coming up so maybe that will help.

Yes tried dummy. He wont take to it yet. Hates hates hates swaddling as he likes his arms free. Sleepyhead has helped a little as long as he is zonked!

Thanks again. Will keep up the cuddling

We took DS to one session in a moment of desperation. I kid you not the guy just held his head (fair enough he did change the position of his hands every so often but still!!! £50??). It was the biggest waste of money and we didn't go again.
Doctor said that all these things suggested and recommended only help because you feel you're doing something. Then baby gets better and it looks like it was down to that... realistically its just that they've grown out of it and conveniently it's usually around the 12 week mark when babies tend to get over colic and digestive systems mature etc.

A few posters have mentioned chiropractors - that's completely different.

I really would consider a dummy. I really didn't want to give one to DS but was told at my day 5 and day 10 midwife appointment that he was not feeding all the time he was just comfort sucking. I gave in at 3 weeks and it was the best thing we did. I think I read previously you weren't keen on them but you don't have to give them all the time. DS had his quite a bit during first few weeks, then at about 13/14 weeks we started just giving it for nap and bedtime. It was a lifesaver and still is.

sorry cross posted

I took my first for a few sessions as he wouldn't be put down, barely slept, screamed constantly and my Iv recommended it, turns out he had silent reflux

It seemed to work wonders for my little one - he was born back to back and apparently had a lot of stiffness in his neck. (Also hated being on his back and often refused feeding on one side, presumably due to discomfort).

I would try to get a recommendation through someone with success though. If you happen to be in in/near SW London I have a recommendation.

The place i can take him is very close to my house which is great as i cant drive. Its a reputable centre for massage/osteopathy etc. I've had treatment there on my back, and members of my family use it for ither gripes so I trust IF it works they would be able to help. Its just the cost on a roll of a dice that it will work. Obv being on mat leave I am watching the pennies and have already brought new stuff to try and help ds sleep. Its a toughy as I have come to accept hes a bad sleeper and then the hv throws a new curveball.. .dh isnt sure so we may hold out abit.

ds was back to back too though and his head was stuck on my pelvis while i struggled through labour for 2days and was pushing for 1.5hours before mw picked it up because his heart rate plummeted they then tried forceps which failed. his head was misshappen at birth although it has settled now. That's largely why it was recommended.

My husband reluctantly went along with my suggestion of taking our boy (one of twins) to a cranial osteopath. He admits he thought it was a bit hippy! However, after the first session our son started to sleep better and was generally happier and more settled. He was a ventouse delivery and the second twin (extra contractions). She also said that she felt some tension in his neck (I deliberately hadn't mentioned that he preferred to have his head facing one way only) two more sessions later and he would turn his head from side to side!

It is tempting when there are so many positive stories. Ds seems to have nightmares, so cries/shouts/screams/whimpers in sleep. He grimaces like he's in pain. Expect it could be wind/reflux but no matter what we do it hasn't helped him. Don't like seeing him uncomfortable

If you can afford it, give it a go. I took ds when he was a few weeks old. It didn't 'cure' his colic but it really did ease it. As other pp said, after one appointment he slept for about 6 hours solid. He'd never done that before.

I was completely sceptical and became a total convert about 20 mins into the treatment. DS became a different child. After 1 treatment the benefits lasted for about 4 days, after the second treatment he was sorted. He had a long tough labour and was a venteuse delivery, and was very colicky, grizzly, wouldn't be put down from the start. The first time he slept without being nursed to sleep was during that first treatment. I couldn't believe it as he was on an adult couch so not snuggled up or cosy, but he just melted/totally relaxed during the treatment - and so did I, just watching him

Aww.thats brilliant