Fad or fact? Gentle cranial manipulation
Babies barely have time to just lie on a mat and coo any more, it seems. What with lessons in sign language, trips to the cranial osteopath and massage classes, it's hard to find the space in their busy schedules. But are these techniques just fads playing on the fears of anxious parents and carers or are they really of some benefit?
A look at the benefits
Cranial osteopathy has also been suggested to help with colic, sleep, feeding
problems and unsettled babies. Elizabeth Hayden, a Gloucester osteopath who
specialises in cranial techniques, explains that it is a treatment recommended
for babies who have had a traumatic or assisted birth or difficult
pregnancy.
"During the birth the baby's head is moulded and distorted as it goes
down the birth canal, even more so in an assisted birth. This does not always
sort itself out naturally and it can irritate the baby,' says
Elizabeth. "Or if the baby got stressed because of a difficult pregnancy,
you can find they are slightly in shock when they're born. Cranial
osteopathy uses very gentle manipulative techniques to get the tissues into a
more normal state."
Does it work?
"He was like a different baby after a few sessions."
Mother of one Emma Stanton, from London, gave birth to Jacob, now one, five
weeks prematurely - with a ventouse delivery. "Once we got home he just
seemed constantly angry and stressed," says Emma. "In desperation I
went to a cranial osteopath, and he was like a different baby after a few
sessions. Perhaps he would have calmed down anyway but I'd definitely try
it again."
Expert view:
Consultant paediatric neurologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for
Children Carlos De Sousa says he has not seen any scientific evidence that
cranial osteopathy works: "It is based on a belief system which is very
difficult to substantiate. A lot of things claimed of it are different to what
we believe we know about physiology," But he added that there were few
situations where he thought it would be harmful: "I would not dissuade
parents of a fussy, crying baby who want to try it. I know some people do find
these alternative techniques beneficial."
Also in this section:
Fad
or fact? Baby signing
Fad
or fact? Cry analysis
Fad
or fact? Soothing massage
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