Osteopathy for Newborns

Safe and Effective Osteopathy for Newborns & Toddlers

Osteopathy for newborns and toddlers is a safe, gentle and effective way to help with a range of issues that may be causing your child to be upset and unsettled. Your baby can be seen by an osteopath for treatment as early as just a few days after birth, right through all developmental stages.

The process of childbirth can be a stressful journey for mother and baby. The birth itself puts a lot of force upon the baby as it travels through the birth canal. The baby needs to manoeuvre through the pelvis twisting and turning its way through. This can cause abnormal head shapes due to the softness of a baby’s skull, tension in head and neck alongside stomach, pelvis and digestion issues.

The top reasons parents bring their newborns to see an osteopath are:

  • Latching/breastfeeding difficulties and tongue tie
  • Reduce gastrointestinal problems, such as colic and reflux
  • Improve skull symmetry, favouring to one side
  • Constipation and or loose bowel motions
  • Neck tension/strain
  • Unsettled sleep or continuous crying

Newborns often experience muscle imbalances or structural issues that affect how their bodies function—leading to discomfort for the baby and stress for parents. Many of our practitioners are parents ourselves, and we understand how overwhelming these early challenges can be.

Feeding issues may stem from head favouring, tongue or lip ties, or tension in areas like the diaphragm. Head and neck favouring—when a baby consistently turns one way—can result from birth trauma or in-utero positioning. Your osteopath will gently assess and treat these physical imbalances, helping restore comfort and function while supporting you with practical, empowering advice.

Osteopathic treatment aims to assist the body in a natural, gentle, hands-on way by using techniques like stretching, gentle movement and massage to reduce tension in muscles, joints and viscera. We also aim to educate and support our patients as part of our holistic approach which considers the body as a whole. We can discuss related issues such as diet and tips for sleeping position.

Additionally, your osteopath may assess your baby developmentally and assist with further referrals to other practitioners or medical professionals if required. We can help to map out some strategies to assist you and your baby after your treatment as well. It is important to get advice early on, as this can prevent further discomfort and developmental delays that can affect children later in life.

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Healthy babies become healthy children and have the best start in life. A gentle physical assessment of your baby or toddler your can determine what treatment will help benefit your child. We use a very gentle hands-on touch approach which helps your baby’s nervous system calm, and muscles relax. Treatment involves gentle manipulation of their head, neck and spine. It is used to increase comfort, particularly if babies are having trouble with wind or are generally unsettled.

A child’s head posture and tendency to favour one side is a common concern for parents, especially if they start to notice skull asymmetry (flat spot). Our practitioners use a hands-on approach to improve head posture and neck movement so that baby doesn’t favour one side. We can also advise on how to manage this at home.

4 out of 10 young infants experience colic which causes prolonged periods of crying. Osteopathy also helps to restore healthy functioning to your child’s digestive tract. Osteopaths are trained to work to support the vagus nerve, which helps manage the functionality of the digestive tract.  Due to the position of the baby in the womb and the birth process, the vagus nerve may be affected, resulting in an increase in digestive contractions and irritability.

Breastfeeding Difficulties?

For new mothers, breastfeeding and carrying a baby can be hard work for the upper back and neck and may be detrimental to posture. Osteopathic treatment can relieve the discomfort and improve posture. Birth can be a challenging experience for many mums and pregnancy can affect your body long term. Osteopaths are well placed to manage postpartum discomfort. We are ACC providers and can lodge birthing injuries directly, you don’t need to go through your GP or midwife.

Having your newborn checked can ensure any problems are dealt with quickly before they become an issue but looking after yourself is just as important and can ensure that both you and your baby are happy and healthy.

We have practitioners who are experienced in treating mums and bubs. To make a time, call our helpful and friendly reception team to find out who would best you and your whanau.

Before Your Osteopathic Appointment

  • Schedule a time that will suit your child’s feeding and sleep routine.
  • Bring along any favourite toys or books from home to help them settle.
  • Dress your child in comfortable clothing.

 

 

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