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
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 significant 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.
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.
Osteopathy London, 31 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, East London E2 0HU
© John Mallinder
