Mum And Baby Clinic

Expectant Mother and Baby

Cranial Osteopathy is a popular non-invasive therapy for all ages, particularly babies and children. Birth is one of the most stressful journeys one takes through life. To become a mother or father is one of the greatest blessing’s although the general experience can leave mother and baby feeling overwhelmed. Cranial osteopathy can help fractious babies to feel more comfortable by gently enhancing patterns of motion to aid better sleep, giving an easy, comfortable and happy mother and baby birthing experience.

Bring your baby or child in if you notice:

  • Irritable or unsettled baby
  • Crying
  • Sleep disturbance/ behavioural difficulties
  • Feeding difficulties (i.e. sucking or swallowing dysfunctions, reflux, burping, hiccups, colic, wind, constipation)
  • Misshapen head (i.e. plagiocephaly, torticolis)
  • Ear infections/ glue ear (i.e. otitis media, rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis)
  • Respiratory dysfunctions (i.e. mouth breathing, sleep apnea, bronchitis, asthma)

TONGUE TIE CLINIC

Tongue tie is a string of tissue that attaches to the bottom of the mouth from the tongue. It can be picked up in a routine new born examination, although at this point it is very hard to diagnosis given the size of the baby and how wide baby opens its mouth.

What are the signs of a Tongue Tie?

Breast feeding for baby:
• Difficulty latching on
• Becoming tired half way through, thus irritable
• Clicking sound when feeding

Breast feeding for mum:
• Tends to be painful
• Can result in cracked or sore nipples
• You seem to have a low milk supply
• May result in Mastitis

Baby Mouth and Tongue:
• There may be an appearance of septum from the tongue to floor mouth
• Difficulty moving their tongue up or down
• Difficulty sticking their tongue out
• Their tongue is heart shaped
• Their tongue maybe white – with flattened down milk
• May not be gaining weight

Who can diagnosis a Tongue Tie?
Both diagnosis and assessment of a tongue tie can be made by informed and qualified professionals: New Born specialist in hospital, Midwife, Nurse, Lactation specialist, Breast feeding specialist and Osteopath

What can a cranial Osteopath do?
The tongue is a complex structure consisting of extrinsic and intrinsic muscles. A new born or infant tends to use the extrinsic muscles for the co-coordinative activity of sucking. The extrinsic muscles has bony attachment to the mandible temporal bone and hyoid. Movement of the tongue depends on how these structures work together. In an infant or new born the hyoid lie between the arch of the mandible, level with the submental muscles and are closely influenced by the muscles of the throat.

Many other cranial issues can cause the tongue not to protrude.
• Birth related trauma causing asymmetry of the position of the shoulder or clavicle hence effecting the omohyoid or sternohypoid position; this could result in lateral and inferior displacement of the hyoid bone compromising the biomechanics of the tongue.
• Tightness of the back of the head, causing a compromise/ irritating of glossopharyngeal nerve or hypoglossal nerve (nerve supplying the tongue.
• Irritation of the glossopharyngeal, vagus spinal accessory nerves as they pass the jugular foremen may compromise the sucking and swallowing process.

“Kam has provided excellent care to several of my patients and I would definitely have no hesitation in recommending her as an Osteopath”
Dr I.Hay MMed, FCP(SA), FRCPCH Consultant Paediatrician at
The Portland Hospital

“I have known Kam for a long time, but to now be associated with her professionally has been amazing! She is gentle in her approach and parents love her. I have referred several babies to her in the recent past and am very happy with her care. I have no hesitation in recommending her as an Osteopath” Dr Sunit Godambe MB BS, MD (Paeds), DCH, FRCPCH Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician. St Johns & St Elizabeth and Lindo Wing St Marys Hospitals.

After a very traumatic birth my baby found it very difficult to lie straight without feeling irritated. She was also suffering from colic, with difficulty burping and farting. After one session with Kam she felt relaxed and was able to lie down at peace and couple of sessions later she was able to burp and fart as much as she needed so she was not irritated.
Would definitely recommend!
*****Rebecca