John's experience of Osteopathy for babies
Since 1999, John has worked extensively with babies that struggle with feeding, sleep, reflux, stiff necks, plagiocephaly (an irregular head shape), and of course crying.
Baby Osteopathy at Osteopathy London
Clinical authority & safe practice
The safety and wellbeing of your baby is our absolute priority. All infant osteopathy assessments at our clinic are conducted in strict accordance with GOsC Best Practice guidelines. John Mallinder brings over 25 years of specialist paediatric experience to each session, ensuring that every therapeutic touch is expertly judged and completely safe for newborns. By adhering to these rigorous national standards, we provide parents with the clinical reassurance that their baby is in highly qualified, regulated hands.
John's approach to baby treatment and care
John believes it's essential to consider the bond between parents and baby during assessment and treatment, as this attachment is crucial for helping the baby through a tough time.
Osteopathy for babies is about more than just gentle handling and techniques; it's about providing a safe space for parents to share their concerns and work through them with John's guidance. He thinks the osteopath's role is to identify the obstacles that make a baby uncomfortable and work through them both with hands-on treatment and advice, and the exploration of solutions with the parents. These obstacles might include physical restrictions, birth trauma, separation anxieties, digestive issues, and other subtle problems.
What can I expect from our baby osteopathy visit?
After taking a thorough case history, which covers your pregnancy, your baby's birth, and your current concerns, John will conduct a gentle examination to understand the tensions and challenges that might be affecting the baby's comfort.
Gentle hands-on treatment may include massage, mobilisation, and subtle cranial osteopathic techniques. Many parents find that their baby relaxes and enjoys the hands-on work. This relaxation further helps release tension, making it easier for the baby to self-regulate and respond to their parents' loving care.
Advice is a big part of any visit. This may include gentle exercises for parents to do with their baby at home, positioning tips, and dietary considerations.
Your personalised treatment plan is entirely unique to the needs of you and your baby.
Is Infant Osteopathy safe for newborns and very young babies?
The health of your baby is of paramount importance to John. The osteopathic and cranial osteopathic techniques used are very gentle and safe for babies of any age.
Paediatric osteopathy always uses light touch and minimal pressure to achieve change.
John is of the opinion that babies respond far better to treatment when they are happy and relaxed, and will be mindful of this at all times.
How many Infant Osteopathy sessions are typically needed for a baby to see results?
The number of sessions needed for a baby to see results will vary, as each baby is unique and responds differently to treatment. For some more simple issues, parents may notice improvements after just one or two sessions. However, for more established or complex concerns, a short course of typically three to five baby treatments might be recommended.
During your initial appointment, following a comprehensive assessment, John will discuss our recommendations for a tailored treatment plan for your baby, and provide an estimate of the expected timeline for progress.
What may Infant Osteopathy Help With?
Parents often bring their baby to see John for support with:
- Feeding difficulties and unsettled behaviour
- Colic, reflux, and digestive discomfort
- Flat head (plagiocephaly) or stiffness in the neck
- Tension after a difficult birth or C-section
- Trouble sleeping or excessive crying
- General discomfort, irritability, or difficulty relaxing
If your baby seems uncomfortable, tense, or struggles to settle, gentle osteopathy may help restore comfort and balance.
Why Choose Osteopathy London for Your Baby?
- Over 25 years’ experience treating babies.
- Gentle, safe cranial and paediatric techniques.
- Trusted by parents across London and beyond.
- Convenient Central & East London location, 3 mins from Bethnal Green Tube.
Fees & private health insurance
An initial 60-minute infant osteopathy assessment with John Mallinder is £90, and any subsequent follow-up sessions are £75. If your baby is covered under a Bupa health insurance policy, John is authorised to accept and bill them directly on your behalf. For families insured with AXA PPP, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, or Simply Health, we will provide a fully itemised clinical receipt after your appointment so you can easily claim the consultation fees back directly from your provider.
Is Osteopathy right for my baby? Chat & Book.
It can be hard for parents to know what to expect from an osteopathic visit with their baby. That's why John likes to have a chat with parents over the phone before booking an appointment.
You can arrange a free 15min phone consultation with John, either online below, by phone, or if none of the available times suit you, please email him at john@osteopathylondon.co.uk with your number and a rough idea of when you're free, and he'll get back to you.
Infant Osteopathy FAQs
Is infant osteopathy the same as cranial osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy is one of the techniques often used in infant treatment, but John combines this with other gentle osteopathic methods to create a plan tailored to your baby’s needs.
Can I stay /engage with my baby during treatment?
Absolutely, parents are encouraged to stay close and comfort their baby throughout.
Where to find us
Travelling with an unsettled baby can be stressful, which is why our easily accessible location is so beneficial for parents. Situated just a three-minute walk from the Bethnal Green Central Line station, we regularly support families from across East and Central London. Our local catchment area includes Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Shoreditch, Mile End, Bow, and Victoria Park, making us a highly convenient choice for parents residing in the E1, E2, E3, and E9 postcodes.
Osteopathy London, 31 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, East London E2 0HU
© John Mallinder
