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Babies and Toddlers

Why Do Babies and Toddlers Need Treatment?

Parents may not immediately consider babies and children needing Physiotherapy or Osteopathic help. Good advice and treatment can benefit babies and toddlers at all stages of their development.

Hatfield Practice offers a free newborn baby cranial check to help resolve worries. We treat babies up to two weeks old for free. We feel that it is good to have your baby checked by a Cranial Osteopath at birth or reasonably soon after to counteract any issues after birth. Promoting a calm, happy and relaxed mum and baby are best. If you have concerns, please call the Practice for advice and see what treatment is best for you.

If you are breastfeeding and your baby is finding it difficult to latch on, we recommend a Cranial Osteopathy visit sooner rather than later. Occasionally birth trauma and muscular tensions around the baby’s neck and face can affect their ability to latch easily. In our experience, early resolution of any breastfeeding problems helps establish breastfeeding.

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Cranial Osteopathy

The gentle Practice of cranial Osteopathy is particularly suitable for babies and small children. Mothers often bring their babies to the Practice because they are worried as the baby is unsettled or not feeding well and often to get a newborn check-up. Some mums attend the Practice a few days after birth if they are well enough. We are happy to check the baby over whenever you are ready; it is really up to how you both feel. During birth, the bones in the skull compress and overlap during childbirth, allowing the baby to fit through the birth canal. The baby’s head is easily stressed, and complications such as a ventouse, forceps, breech birth, caesarean, big babies with smaller mothers, and prolonged or quick deliveries may all lead to health issues.

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What could be causing the problem?

The Osteopath will begin by asking questions about the baby to determine whether you had a good pregnancy and a problem-free birth. We will take a detailed history of your baby’s feeding habits, sleeping, and playtime during your first treatment. The Osteopath will take account of family history, pregnancy history, the baby’s age, birth history and any previous medical history that may help the mother and Osteopath to find clues that may identify any problems that may arise.

After the medical history, the Osteopath will thoroughly and gently examine your baby, carefully looking for signs that may cause the baby to be unhappy or unsettled. Many people visit cranial Osteopaths with their newborn babies and toddlers to help solve sleep, colic and feeding problems that don’t always respond to traditional medicine. Cranial Osteopathy may support symptoms including unsettled, irritable babies, difficulty settling, unexplained crying, recurrent infections, poor muscle tone respiratory problems. They may help ease various issues, such as colic, reflux, difficulty with defecation, urinary infections, disturbed sleep patterns, and ear problems, to name a few.

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Gentle treatments and good honest advice

Osteopaths can advise you on the best type of pushchairs, toys, car seats, shoes, and developmental equipment to help prevent problems. No matter the age, treatment on babies and younger people is performed as gently as possible and with the patient’s consent. Children need to know that they will not be hurt when seeking treatment. At the Hatfield Practice, we have many toys and books and keep visits as relaxed and fun as possible. We feel it’s unreasonable to expect a child to sit in a dull, sterile treatment room for up to an hour. We try to keep it fun.

What our clients say

Have been to numerous physiotherapists and osteopaths over recent years and feel I have finally found the Hatfield Practice where they combine the best of both disciplines, along with other complementary ones – how refreshing! Am being treated by Damien who clocked my problem(s) in a few short minutes and so far I’m doing really well. And their charges are extremely reasonable. Very Impressed.

Diana R

Amazing place and highly recommend the sports massage with Sam Rushbrooke. I was nervous at my first appointment due to having a bad back, but Sam put me at ease with his professional approach and great understanding. I’m feeling better than I have in months! The clinic is lovely and the reception staff are always helpful and approachable.

 

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