What Is Pediatric Osteopathy

Gentle Care for Your Baby's Development

Pediatric osteopathy focuses on gently manipulating the baby’s muscles, tissues, and bones to support their natural development. These treatments are especially beneficial in the early stages of life, as infants’ bodies are still forming and adjusting to their new environment. Techniques are tailored to the baby’s specific needs, addressing common concerns such as colic, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances.

Many mothers in Vancouver are discovering the benefits of pediatric osteopathy, drawing inspiration from its widespread use in France. This treatment can help babies recover from the physical stress of birth, whether they were born via C-section or experienced a difficult delivery.

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Why Pediatric Osteopathy Is Important for Your Baby

Supporting Growth and Comfort from Day One

Pediatric osteopathy in Vancouver can address a variety of common infant issues, providing relief from discomfort and promoting better development. Some of the benefits include:

  • Improved sleep: Gentle osteopathic techniques can help babies sleep more soundly by reducing physical discomfort.
  • Easing colic and reflux: Many studies have shown that osteopathy can alleviate symptoms of colic, reflux, and digestive distress.
  • Support for developmental milestones: Osteopathy helps ensure that your baby’s musculoskeletal system is aligned and functioning properly, which is key for hitting important developmental milestones.

According to research published in The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, pediatric osteopathy has been found to positively impact babies experiencing feeding issues, musculoskeletal asymmetries, and other early-life challenges.

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How Pediatric Osteopathy Works

Understanding the Gentle Techniques of Pediatric Osteopathy

Pediatric osteopaths use their hands to gently assess and treat any tension or misalignment in the baby’s body. The techniques are incredibly light and precise, making them suitable for even the youngest infants. Sessions typically last between 30 to 45 minutes, during which the osteopathic practitioner will focus on areas of the body such as the head, spine, and abdomen to promote overall balance and function.

For women in Vancouver seeking natural and effective treatments for their babies, pediatric osteopathy offers an excellent option. With many years of experience and a growing presence in the Vancouver health community, this approach has been used to complement traditional medical care.

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Practical Aspects

Is it mandatory to consult an osteopathic practitioner?

No, obviously, it is not mandatory. There are babies who are very well and thrive without consulting an osteopath. But in some indications and the cases mentioned above, osteopathic consultation can be beneficial for your child.

Moreover, more and more parents consult systematically after childbirth, even if everything is fine, because they have been advised to do so or because they consult for themselves.

When to consult?

The osteopathic practitioner can be consulted anytime after birth (sometimes directly at the maternity ward if the osteopathic practitioner is available on-site), or after leaving the maternity ward, and this without a prescription. If there is no "emergency" and if the baby seems fine, we recommend consulting around 3-4 weeks of age. However, if you notice any of these problems, then it may be good to consult as soon as possible: ·       

if the baby cries a lot... ·       

if they have difficulty breastfeeding,

if the nipples are painful,

if they get frustrated at the breast... ·       

if they turn the head more often to one side than the other... ·       

if a professional advises you to consult.

Then, as the baby grows, we suggest parents to consult, if they wish (because again, nothing is mandatory as we recall), between 5 and 6 months (in relation to psychomotor development in particular), then when the baby starts walking (about 2 months after walking), and then once a year or every 2 years, in addition to medical follow-up.

How many sessions are carried out?

It is impossible to generalize because it will depend on each baby. For some, few sessions will be enough, while others may need more. In any case, the osteopathic practitioner well trained in pediatrics will be able to advise you best and refer you to other professionals if necessary (especially to the doctor, who may in some cases refer you to a physiotherapist, a psychomotor therapist...).

What method is used for babies?

For our part, consultations are always gentle and very respectful, without forced maneuvers for babies or children, who are mostly very calm during the sessions, sometimes the baby sleeps throughout the session, or can cry to release their stress, often to the surprise of their parents. We take the time during the treatment to explain to parents what we are doing and why. Then at the end of the session, we give specific and adapted advice to your child, which will be useful to you when you return home.

If you have any doubts about your child's health, the osteopathic practitioner well trained in pediatric practice will know how to refer you to the referring doctor or pediatrician. As for us, we have undergone specific training in the particular management of infants and children (as well as pregnant women), which makes our practice safe on the one hand and effective as much as we can.

How long does the consultation last?

The initial is always 45 minutes. For the subsequents, it depends on the babies. Some are totally fine for 45 min, others start to get tired after 30 minutes.

And the mother? And the father?

We often advise mothers (and sometimes fathers too if they feel the need) to consult during this neonatal period because the tensions felt by the mother or the father can also be felt by the baby (notion of tonico-postural adjustment), due to the bond that unites the family during this period. This also allows parents to take a break and take an hour for themselves to relax...

Note: I can treat the baby while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It's even better, so that they are not hungry during the consultation and they will be relaxed by the oxytocin and serotonin. Otherwise, we will play to distract them.