How Babies Can Benefit from Cranio

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle way to trigger the body’s natural self-healing capabilities: it helps to resolve traumatic imprints, allows us to process stresses, and supports the nervous system to down-regulate. The gentleness of this approach makes cranio perfect for babies.  

Helps with Head Bruising 

Craniosacral Therapy can be beneficial for babies who have experienced difficulty during birth and who may, as a result, have bruising to the head, forceps marks, chignon caused by vacuum extraction, cephalohematoma or an abnormality of head shape. 

It can also help resolve any underlying physical or emotional tensions that can be left behind in the baby’s system, even after these marks have disappeared.  

Adjustment After a Long, Difficult or Fast Birth 

The birth experience, particularly if it was prolonged, very fast, with medical interventions, or was by C-section, can result in the baby experiencing ongoing physical and emotional distress. According to Craniosacral Therapy teacher Michael Kern, these birth imprints can effectively be processed and resolved by helping to restore natural rhythmic movements within the body and supporting the body’s natural tendencies to find health, This leads to happier and more well-adjusted babies. 

Can Make Breastfeeding Easier 

Craniosacral Therapy is often used to support breast feeding. If a newborn is struggling to latch onto the breast, it could be due to unresolved stress, pain or discomfort, or as a result of the after effects of medication administered during the experience of birth. Tightness in the jaw or throat regions, or compression of cranial bones resulting from a difficult birth can impact on tongue sensation and the ability to easily feed. 

Soothes Crying 

Babies who inconsolably cry, or cry with a high pitch may also be supported with Craniosacral Therapy, which can resolve the imprints of birth trauma. It can also allow the baby to move through ‘memory crying’, in which their birth story can be revisited and resolved. A deep listening to the intelligence in the body is key to this practice.  

Babies Diagnosed with Tongue Tie 

Tongue tie may be another cause of feeding difficulties, but there are some issues that can mimic the symptoms of tongue tie, such as fascial restrictions, cranial nerve dysfunction and nervous system activation. All these may be amenable to treatment.  

Can Resolve Torticollis/Head Preference 

Some babies present with torticollis, which can be an uncomfortable condition that can also create difficulties with latching onto the breast. Tortocollis may result from unresolved compressions experienced during the birth process, or by patterns that develop in the uterus before birth. It is sometimes indicated by a baby’s habitual preference to lie on one side, and not on the other. Craniosacral Therapy sessions can be of great benefit!