An osteopath’s perspective by Dr Carrie Nisbet
As a dedicated osteopath in Geelong and a mum of three boys under the age of two (including twins), I’ve developed a passion for treating mums and babies.
That passion drove me to follow my heart and open Bump & Bub Health Hub.
Osteopaths have five years of university training. Our strength is our case history taking – we’re always asking “why is this baby uncomfortable?” This helps establish the root cause so we’re not just treating the symptoms.
I’ve become very attuned with looking at pregnancy and birth from the baby’s point of view. A baby’s position in utero can place some strain on their little body.
I also recognise that forces on a baby’s body during labour, especially if there are interventions such as induction, forceps and ventouse suction, may cause some tightness in their connective tissues.
Here are my top three tips for surviving an unsettled newborn:
1. Have your baby checked and treated after birth by an osteopath with additional paediatrics training. I see a lot of babies experiencing the following: trouble latching/sucking on the breast and bottle, a head turning preference (which may interfere with their ability to feed comfortably) and irritability lying on their back in the car/pram/cot. I also see babies with excessive wind and abdominal discomfort. Osteopaths use gentle hands-on techniques to release tightness in the body. Correct winding techniques help ease sore tummies. Tummy time and gentle exercises also help promote head and neck movement.
2. Don’t overstimulate your baby. They’re experiencing everything for the first time and their nervous system isn’t mature enough to deal with loud noises, people in their face, and being constantly passed around. Read your baby’s cues. If they start to disengage, lose eye contact and become unsettled, try and recreate the environment of the womb so they feel safe – a warm, dark quiet room, swaddling and cuddles on the chest. This will help regulate their nervous system and promote calm.
3. Stimulate the vagus nerve through social engagement. In stressful situations, this nerve works hard to regulate and calm down digestion, heart rate and breathing. We have direct access to stimulating the vagus nerve through social engagement. Skin on skin contact, gazing into their eyes, gentle singing and humming, smiling facial expressions and rocking them stimulate the vagus nerve, which calms them down. Osteopaths have techniques aimed at freeing up restrictions around the vagus nerve which may also help.
If you have any questions, email carrie@bumpandbub.com.au .
If you’re interested in seeing if osteopathy can help your baby, make a booking at www.bumpandbub.com.au
