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Unsettled Baby.

Unsettled Baby.

Firstly, congratulations on the arrival of your little miracle! Looking after a newborn is demanding and no amount of workshops can prepare you for having your own. 

Reading this article means that you are experiencing some difficulties. You might be looking for some answers, but rest assured, no matter what it feels like or others say, you are already doing a great job! 

It is demanding but hang in there, help is available.  Sometimes, you might feel like you are getting contradicting advice from different sources. Just remember, that nobody holds the answer for everything, and every baby and every mum and their circumstances are very different - so nothing fits all. And what might work now may not work in 2 weeks’ time. Don’t give up and trust your instincts.

This article is in no way an exhaustive breakdown of how to help with an unsettled baby. If you are concerned, please seek help with a medical practitioner – your midwife, health visitor, infant feeding team member, GP or A&E department. 
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As an Osteopath, I work with the musculoskeletal system only, advice below directs you to other people, resources or areas for you to explore. At the end, I will discuss how osteopathy might help.

Basic understanding.

Babies cannot regulate some important bodily functions, such as their body temperature or emotions. Their brains are hardwired for survival, so if something is wrong, they will cry to let you know. The safest place for them is in their parents’ arms or breastfeeding, which is now known to also reduce pain. 

Some babies are described by their parents as “they know what they want” or “are stubborn”. For me, this is just a sign that this baby is in need of help, as newborns do not have “wants”, they only have “needs” that need to be met. Basic survival needs are air, food/ fluids, sleep, clean nappy, warmth, shelter and safety.

You may have gone through the “checklist” like cuddle, feed, burp, changed the nappy etc. – once or twice and your baby is still unsettled. Please remember that your baby is NOT manipulating you, they can only show you that they perceive something not being right, they can’t tell you what it is – they need your help. 

Some unsettled babies are then diagnosed with colic or reflux. These are two completely separate conditions, however some of the symptoms overlap and some of the help strategies work for both and that is why this article will address both together. 

The definition of colic is repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying in an infant that otherwise appears to be healthy and thriving. These episodes last for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for at least one week. The NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colic/) explain it's a common problem that should get better by around 3 or 4 months of age. Other common symptoms listed are - it's hard to soothe or settle your baby, they clench their fists, go red in the face, bring their knees up to their tummy or arch their back, their tummy rumbles or they're very windy. 

Reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding and it is painful for them. In cases of silent reflux, the food may go up the but not reach the mouth so you can’t see any sickness as such, the rest of the symptoms are the same. Related symptoms are - arching their back and turning their head, pain or discomfort, crying for long periods and becoming irritable during and after feeds, crying may sound hoarse, choking/gagging or coughing during a feed, or seeming to have a sore throat, frequent ear infections, fighting feeds or refusing to feed, poor weight gain (note – here I would add that more than expected increasing weight gain or a very “hungry baby” may also be a symptom of reflux, when the baby is feeding frequently to soothe the digestive system and its mucous membranes with milk), waking very frequently at night, signs of pain or discomfort when feeding. Frequent hiccups can also be a sign of reflux but only with some of the above symptoms, not alone. The NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/) suggest that GORD is caused by weakened oesophageal sphincter and that it will strengthen by one year of age. 

Not every baby has colic or reflux and their causes are not fully understood, therefore there is also not a universal treatment option that would work for every baby. And having to wait until the baby “grows out of it” or is one year old has too many consequences on the wellbeing of the whole family. 

The next section will discuss areas to consider when you have an unsettled baby, some can significantly improve your baby’s symptoms and for that reason, I will from now on refer to reflux and colic as reflux-like and colic-like symptoms. This is because only a small percentage of babies have “true reflux” and need medication. Colic in most cases can also be improved significantly. 
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The checklist.

Is your baby tired? This may sound very simple, but if your baby is tired, nothing will work, and every little irritation becomes an overwhelming stimulant. 

So whilst you’re figuring out what the underlying issue is and take time to fix it, you might find it helpful to pop into our local sling library and borrow a sling/ carrier. Follow Orkney Babywearing Facebook group and join Orkney Sling Library to find out about sling drop-in sessions. Slings have an endless list of benefits and majority of babies sleep better and longer in them. This means that they get the needed rest, they feel warm and safe, and you still have your hands free to do other things. 

And if reflux-like symptoms are part of the picture, keeping them upright longer will help, too. If you had a C-section delivery, please follow the medical advice given to you and then definitely seek help from a sling specialist, they can make your sling fit perfectly so that it doesn’t cause issues with your scar/ recovery. Madeleine from sheenslings.com is based in England and does fitting online - I’m very happy to recommend her as the feedback has always been wonderful from my patients.

Look into safe co-sleeping, many parents report that co-sleeping reduced their baby’s symptoms at night. More information on safe co-sleeping can be found on Baby sleep info source (BASIS) (https://www.basisonline.org.uk/).

Whilst your baby is sleeping, consider the room/ their temperature, I already mentioned that babies cannot regulate their temperature and can overheat or cool really quickly. Being too warm can disturb their sleep. Please follow the guidance for keeping an optimal temperature of your baby, check out the Lullaby Trust for more information (https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-room-temperature/).

Breastfeeding is often viewed as “something that just happens”. Well that really isn’t correct. We have to consider all the elements that come together - it is your anatomy (the size and shape of you, your breasts and nipples), the baby’s anatomy and physiology (that is changing daily as the baby is growing), and then these two elements meet under different environmental conditions - feeding at home, in public, having your nursing pillow or your chair, feeding at night sidelying, in a loud place, with sore nipples, using nipple shields, after a bad night…there are just too many variables every single time. And that is why I encourage every mum - new, second or third time mum to seek a continuous breastfeeding support – but at least at birth, around 2-3 weeks and then again 6-8 weeks. The best case scenario would be to see your feeding support team already during pregnancy and then attend weekly drop-in sessions, as that will also help your mental health.

Positioning alone can make a huge difference, and your baby might need to be assessed for a tongue tie. Both poor positioning and a tongue tie can amongst others lead to pain for mum, baby’s poor weight gain, or the baby swallowing excessive air. This is called aerophagia, which can then lead to colic-like and reflux-like symptoms, which then result in an unsettled baby. 

You can ask for your baby to be assessed in hospital, and then when you are at home by your midwife, health visitor, GP or paediatrician - just check that they are qualified to assess for tongue ties. From experience, I again recommend to check at birth, 2-3 weeks of age and then again around 6-8 weeks if your baby is still unsettled at that point. 

If your baby was diagnosed with tongue tie and it was treated, but the symptoms did not improve - was it then checked again a few weeks later in case it "reattached"? In some cases, the tongue tie can regrow, in others it may have not been divided fully, or there might have been a scar tissues formation - approximately 3-4% of tongue-ties require to be redevided (Ghaheri et al., 2017).

Some women prefer not to leave the house or have extra visits during the first few weeks, in which case  you can still be supported by your midwife and health visitor. Please do not be afraid to ask, all questions are valid no matter how silly you think they might be. 

Your other option is to book an online appointment with IBCLC feeding specialist. They will be able to assess for a tongue tie by observation and symptom check, although a physical examination is preferable. You can check their register at https://lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/ You can also follow some on Facebook, such as Lucy Webber Feeding Support - IBCLC (formerly LMJ Infant Feeding Support) or Lucy Ruddle IBCLC. I used to collaborate with Anna Page and again I’m happy to recommend her for an online appointment as the feedback from my patients has always been great. Anna can be contacted on [email protected] or 07963 800 243.

And when you are ready to leave the house, I’d encourage you to attend the weekly infant feeding support group meetings. Not only will you learn from other mums, but it is alway good to watch others as well as hear what issues they might be facing themselves. You will be supported by Lou Brewer, a health visitor and Infant feeding specialist and also by a team of peer supporters, who had their own breastfeeding journey and attended additional training in feeding support.

Sadie and Sarah are also available for feeding support at Home-Start Orkney. They are holding a monthly feeding support group every first Tuesday between 10-11am. 

Bottle feeding – some women choose not to breastfeed, some are unable to, some use formula or express milk as a top-up — we all have different circumstances and needs. The way you position your baby and the bottle, the shape and size of the teat in relation to your baby’s head and mouth size and shape, as well as the possible existence of a tongue tie may lead to your baby swallowing excessive amount of air (called aerophagia), this then can lead to colic-like and reflux-like symptoms (Siegel, 2016). 

Solely bottle-fed babies do not get assessed for tongue-ties as a standard and some mums tend not to attend the feeding support groups for different personal reasons. You can still request to have your baby assessed by the NHS, as severe tongue ties may lead to issues with eating solids and speech development later in life. 

I’d still encourage you to attend those sessions, as advice is available on bottle feeding as well as breastfeeding. And being amongst other new mums has a plethora of benefits. 

As an alternative, you can seek help with an IBCLC specialist for an online appointment via their register https://lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/ . Or contact a specialist such as my colleague Anna Page on 07963 800 243 or [email protected], who is based in England.

If you are using formula as the main source of milk or are topping up with formula, other things that may contribute to baby swallowing excessive air is how the formula is prepared. Some manufacturers advise to shake the bottle, yet that can create “micro-bubbles”, so thorough stirring with a sanitised fork is better than shaking. Also, please follow the advice on how to make the formula in relation to the recommended temperature of water, as this kills bacteria in the powder, which can make your baby very unwell if not done appropriately. 

You may also find it helpful to try different bottles/ teats, this can prove quite expensive but can make the difference. For more information on bottle/ teat choice, you can read this article written by Philippa Pearson-Glaze (IBCLC) (https://breastfeeding.support/best-bottle-breastfed-baby/).

Dummy – a pacifier is not generally advised for very small babies i.e. before they are 4-6 weeks old. But in case of reflux, it can help produce extra saliva and frequent swallowing then soothes mucous membranes in the oesophagus, which is the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. Sucking alone can also soothe and calm the baby. 

Beware that dummies can cause increase swallowing of air, but then a crying baby can also swallow excessive amount of air. You will have to weigh the pros and cons in your particular situation and see what works for you and your baby and the family as a whole. 

If you do find introducing a dummy helps before 6 weeks, some IBCLC consultants advise to do it after feeds and not before. Very small babies get tired sucking and if they are already tired before they feed, this means that they will not feed well, which is setting you up for more problems with tiredness and hunger later on. The other reason may then be breast refusal – again, please discuss this with your midwife, health visitor, or infant feeding support team. 

Burping – by burping your baby during and after each feed you help your baby get rid of excess air in the stomach. Keeping your baby upright for prolonged time can also help with reflux-like symptoms – see the sling advice above. 

Once the air passes the stomach there is no way back. It then enters the small and then large intestines. As it travels down the digestive tract, the air will stretch the walls of the digestive system. It is the stretch receptors in the walls of the digestive system that produce pain sensation – the same as in adults when constipated or bloated. So if you manage to get rid of the air through burping, you prevent a lot of discomfort later on.  Again this is something you can seek advice on with your feeding support team. 

Could your baby be reaching its stomach capacity in early days?  – Zangel et al. (2001) concluded that the baby’s stomach doesn’t start stretching till about day 3 of their life. On day one their stomach takes in only about 5-7ml, which can be compared to a large marble. At one week it is about 46-60ml (size of an apricot or plum) and at 4 weeks 80-150ml (a large chicken egg). So it is possible that some babies are reaching their stomach capacity and as their stomach cannot stretch as effectively as an adult’s stomach. This coupled with cases of "weaker oesophageal sphincter" during times of increased intra-abdominal pressure from excess gas, pushing wind out, crying, or coughing and sneezing, can cause the food to come back up mimicking reflux-like symptoms (La Leche League Canada, 2015). Speak with your health visitor, midwife, feeding support team or IBCLC practitioner about shorter feeds that are more frequent, whether breastfed or bottle-fed. 

Baby massage has many different benefits, such as bonding, learning baby’s cues, and relaxation, but also a gentle tummy massage may help with bloated tummy, as well as a “cycling” exercise with their legs. Check with your local NHS perinatal team and other private providers offering baby massage classes.

Elimination Communication (EC) also called baby pottying might help with colic-like symptoms. The hypothesis is that colic is functionally related to decreased stooling frequency and the build up then causes distension leading to discomfort/ pain. EC involves the parent taking the nappy off and placing the baby in a squatting position, the position alone should help the baby to empty fully, which then reduces the symptoms (Jordan G., 2014 and Jordan et al., 2019).

For more information on baby pottying, visit ERIC, The Children’s bladder and bowel charity (https://www.eric.org.uk/Blog/blogbabypottying) and  Little Bunny Bear (https://littlebunnybear.com/).

​Sensitivities/ allergies – this section is to be consulted and managed by an appropriate NHS healthcare provider such as your GP and paediatrician, including A&E if needed. 

Irritation can be seen as being on a spectrum, at one end there is no irritation at all and at the other end is an extreme reaction. Your baby may be anywhere along that scale and their symptoms may consequently vary. In simple terms, allergies involve the immune system and therefore result in immediate reactions that can be quite severe. Mild irritation is as a result of a different mechanism, it does not involve the immune system and may not be easy to spot as it results in delayed and much milder symptoms.

With severe allergies, such as CMPA (cow’s milk protein allergy), babies may be extremely unsettled during feeding or all the time, they may refuse feeding or feed non-stop to soothe the irritated mucous membranes in their digestive system, they may have green stool or with mucous or blood, different kinds of skin rashes, may not sleep at all etc. There is no need to stop breastfeeding, but you will need to cut out dairy products. Please do not substitute with soy products, as soy is another known allergen. Other possible allergens to mention are eggs, wheat and nuts. A referral to a dietician is warranted.

Lactose intolerance is completely different to CMPA and is managed differently. Again if you are breastfeeding, you do not have to stop, but dietary changes are required. True or primary lactose intolerance is very rare before the age of 3. It usually develops secondary to (after) an episode of infectious gastroenteritis or CMPA. This is when damage to the gut mucous membranes causes deficiency in lactase, which helps breaking lactose down. Typical symptoms are loose, watery stools, abdominal bloating and pain, increased flatus and nappy rash. The intolerance should resolve within 6-8 weeks. If you are bottle-feeding, a lactose free formula is advised, but should not be needed for more than 8 weeks (NHS Nottinghamshire, 2021; https://www.nottsapc.nhs.uk/media/1088/lactose-intolerance-guidance.pdf).

Note that if you are on an exclusion diet, you cannot “just reduce” the amount, but you need to cut it out completely for a minimum of 2 weeks, and in the case of dairy, even 4 weeks may be needed to see a change. If this is done due to an allergy, then you need to follow the instructions of our medical provider. And watch out for “hidden” allergens in foods, you’d be surprised how many products contain the above irritants as an additive. Also, when you cut out dairy, please make sure you take extra calcium, vitamin D and Omega 3 oils.

Formula – all UK formulas have to adhere to same nutritional standards, please see Infant milk info (https://infantmilkinfo.org/) and First Step Nutrition Trust (https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/) for further information. However some parents report that their babies respond better to some formulas more than others. I will not be listing the ones that appear “more gentle” as I have no scientific evidence, only parents’ feedback. You can search some parents’ forums for such discussions and also consult your NHS healthcare provider. 

Microflora and probiotics - microflora are the bacteria and other organism that live in and on our bodies – on the skin, in our noses, mouths, gut, vaginas…these little organisms are everywhere. These microorganisms live in harmony with us, providing vital functions essential for our survival. In the gut they help us break down certain foods, that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise and produce some vitamins, such as some B vitamins. 

During labour babies come into contact with the mother’s microorganisms through the birth canal and then by contact with our skin by touch or kisses. This exposure helps them populate their own bacterial microflora. This is then enhanced through breast milk or formula. 

Sometimes the mum is prescribed antibiotics during the pregnancy, such as for urinary tract infection or during labour for Strep B infection or any other infection. These can be vital for the mum and baby’s survival, but can affect the microbiome as a consequence.  If this happened during your pregnancy and birth, you can look into probiotics suitable during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. If you take probiotics yourself, they do not pass into the blood stream and therefore you cannot pass what you take onto your baby through breastmilk (Elias et al., 2011). You can therefore look into probiotics specific for babies, there are many products on the market, and again it is out of my remit to make any specific recommendations. 

From my clinical experience, be cautious about the dose you start with, as in some babies probiotics can lead to constipation, bloating or diarrhoea. So perhaps consider lowering the dose and increase to a full dose over a few days monitoring any reaction  or change in their behaviour, gut, stool and skin.

Probiotics are generally safe to use, but should not be used in children and adults with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems, as some people report experiencing bacterial or fungal infections as a result. 

Research suggests that giving probiotics to babies who are solely formula fed has no effect. This is because probiotics are already in the formula, so there is no need to supplement on top of that. 

A systematic review by Ong et al. (2019) concluded that “there is no clear evidence that probiotics are more effective than placebo at preventing infantile colic; however, daily crying time appeared to reduce with probiotic use compared to placebo.”

Lastly, if you are excluding dairy from your diet, make sure that the probiotics you are taking or giving to your baby are vegan.

If in doubt, please speak with your healthcare provider. 

Medication – sometimes the symptoms are so severe that medication may be required whilst you are trying to figure our what is causing the symptoms.  It is common that there is more than one or two causes that may be contributing to your baby’s symptoms. 

Medication can only be prescribed by your GP or a paediatrician and most prescribed medications for reflux are:

Gaviscon Infant - the active ingredients react with the acid in your baby’s stomach and form a viscous gel. This gel thickens stomach contents, making it more difficult for the content to come back up. Like with every medication, there are side effects, such as constipation, flatulence, hypersensitivity etc. Your GP can prescribe this from 1 month of age, and dosage is based on baby’s weight (NICE, 2022).
(https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/gord-in-children/prescribing-information/gavisconr-infant/)

Omeprazole – a proton pump inhibitor, it inhibits the production of gastric acid in the stomach lining. Other medications with the suffix –prazole fall under the same category. It is suitable from birth and can take about two weeks to start working. Some of the side effects can be headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, skin rashes etc. (NICE, 2022).
(https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/gord-in-children/prescribing-information/omeprazole/) Other side-effects are vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as Vitamin B12 deficiency, bacterial infections and increased risk of fractures (Safe et al., 2016).

As you can see, the above medications can cause the same sort of symptoms that you are trying to reduce. The symptoms can also worsen when your baby has been taking Omeprazole for a long time and you then stop – please seek advice on how to wean medication and what the side-effects might be like, as sometimes parents have the impression that their baby still has reflux and then return to the original dose rather than understanding the side-effects of weaning off this kind of medication.

There are pros and cons that the family need to consider. The above medication might help you whilst you are getting on top of the actual cause of reflux-like symptoms. Yes, there are a lot of side effects, but if reflux is left untreated, not only does your baby suffer with pain but also there has been a correlation between reflux and otitis media/ middle ear infection. Again, see what works for you with the help of your healthcare provider. 

You might also discuss vitamin and mineral supplementation with your GP whilst you are giving the medication to your baby, however research in this field and this population (babies) has not been done, so your GP may not have the answer. Not because this is not to be considered but because the relevant guidelines have not been developed yet.

For colic-like symptoms, some over the counter (OTC) medications may also be helpful. Medication is not within my remit, so please consult with your midwife, health visitor, GP or pharmacist. Colief is suitable from birth and helps break down lactose. Gripe water is not suitable before 1 month of age, it is made of sodium bicarbonate and herbs, also contains E-numbers. Infacol is antiflatulent, suitable from birth, also contains E-numbers. 

Other things you might have heard or read about are herbal teas for breastfeeding mums to drink. Again, please discuss this with your healthcare provider. 

Solids – sometimes parents are recommended that they start solids at 4 months (rather than 6 months as recommended by the World Health Organisation) in cases or reflux or allergies. This means that you are being managed by a healthcare professional such as a dietician. 

The only thing I would add is that you consider introducing one food type for 3 days (some recommend even 7 days), observe for reactions from skin irritation/ rashes to changes in mood or poo, and then introduce another food type for another 3 (or 7) days and monitor, and continue introducing new foods like this. This should help you identify any food reactions your baby might develop.
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Don’t be afraid to go to A&E. All practitioners are trained that the parents’ concern is the most important concern and must be taken seriously, you will not be turned away. You are with your baby 24/7 therefore are your baby’s expert, nobody else is, no matter what their qualifications are. 

Evidence - if your baby shows signs inconsistently, make sure you video the episodes on your phone so that you can show it to the healthcare professional during your appointment. And always trust your own gut instinct.

Self-care and sleep – this article is about your baby, but as your baby’s carer, your well-being is equally as important. Yes, you will always put your baby first, but please do not forget about yourself. Please see my article on Coping strategies for parents and self-care tips. 

Other points.

Reflux may be related to some other conditions that your baby was already diagnosed with, such as prematurity, laryngomalacia also called floppy larynx, or genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. I’d recommend that you look up your baby’s condition and thoroughly research it. And even if reflux is associated with their condition, still seek help with excluding what is discussed above, it might reduce the symptoms, as they can be aggravating factors making the presentations worse. 

It is outside of the scope of this article to cover red flags, which are warning symptoms suggestive of a potentially serious underlying disease. But I would like to mention one - pyloric stenosis. This is when the valve between the stomach and small intestines, called pyloric sphincter, fails to work and food cannot pass through. One of the main symptoms is projectile vomiting, which is forceful vomiting  up to several feet away. This leads to increased hunger, dehydration, constipation, very unsettled baby, then lethargy etc. - this is a medical emergency and immediate help should be sought. 
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Lastly, if you would like more information on baby reflux, please see the NICE guidelines (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng1/ifp/chapter/reflux-in-babies). For more practical information written for parents, you might find this book helpful - The Baby Reflux Lady's Survival: How to Understand and Support Your Unsettled Baby and Yourself, by Aine Homer.

When might a paediatric (cranial) osteopath help?

The majority of medical books describe the shape and physiology of the breast, areola, nipple and how hormones are involved in milk production. They then explain the baby’s rooting, suckling and swallowing reflexes and discuss positioning and how to grade a good latch.  

From a paediatric osteopath’s point of view, baby’s feeding mechanics are not only about how wide your baby opens their mouth and what their tongue does, although they are indeed very important aspects. It actually starts before all that. How is the baby within her/himself most of the time? What are they like when you pick them up? How they behave when you then place them in the feeding position? Do you notice any tension pattern in their body that may result in the baby being agitated, uncomfortable or pushing you away? 

Once the baby is close to you, they then need to extend their neck, lower their bottom jaw and open their mouth wide, approximate to the nipple. The tongue has to come down and forward over the bottom lip to latch optimally. The lips seal around your areola and create a vacuum. The lower jaw and tongue movement create a vacuum which draws the milk into their mouth, which then moves further down the digestive system, and finally out via the anus. In the newborn, feeding triggers a gastrocolic reflex, which means that the whole digestive system becomes active and you are likely having to change the nappy with every feed in early days. This is a normal physiological process. In the adult, the gastrocolic reflex is also triggered but most of us do not pass stool every time we eat. 

Can your baby move their neck freely in all directions? Are their shoulders relaxed? Do you hear from other people that your baby’s neck is really strong (in the first 6 weeks)? Can they look both ways or do they prefer looking one way to the other? Are they developing an uneven head shape at the back of their head? (If you answered yes to this question, please look at my article on Flat head syndrome). Is feeding on both breasts the same or one is more difficult (if this is not purely due to the shape of your breasts or nipple, or fast letdown)? Do they dislike being cuddled? Do they dislike having hats on or anything around their necks? Is your baby still arching despite being on medication and their other symptoms improving? Do they appear to have a tight jaw or tongue, or their mouth doesn’t appear to open fully?

The musculoskeletal imbalances or tension patterns described above may lead to poor feeding mechanics and increased air intake during feeding (aerophagia) as well as other discomfort, thus may contribute to your baby’s symptoms of being unsettled. 

So if you explored the help and advice available and/ or you recognise some of the above tension pattern behaviours in your baby, you may find help with paediatric (sometimes referred to as cranial) osteopathy. 

It takes on average 3 to 4 appointments to have the musculoskeletal tension eased in a baby. The treatment approach is very gentle, it is not painful to the baby in any way. Some babies fall asleep, some feed during the treatment and vast majority are awake being entertained by their parents. For further information about what happens during an appointment and what you need to bring with you, please visit my Appointments page.
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Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful, and if you have any comments or recommendations, please do get in touch, your feedback is always appreciated.

You may also find it interesting to read a recently published article on treating colic with craniosacral therapy (CST), CST is derived from cranial osteopathy and therefore the approach discussed is part of what I do. The study concluded that babies under the age of 90 days may obtain full resolution of colic symptoms within 2-3 treatments compared to the control group (Castejón-Castejón et al., 2022). However, it is argued whether the results were the same if parents were also blinded to the treatment method received, this is also discussed in previous studies as a research method weakness (Dobson et al., 2012).

Disclaimer.

Please note that the above is only general information and is not intended to diagnose or treat. Always consult your healthcare provider with any concerns, symptoms or medication. If you have any questions about the products, please contact the manufacturers and always follow the product instructions.
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The information is accurate at the time of writing in July 2022 (edited and published January 2023).

 I have no financial or other interests in any of the practitioners or products mentioned above.

References.

Castejón-Castejón, M., Murcia-González, M.A., Todri, J. , Lena, O. & Chillón-Martínez, R. (2022). Treatment of infant colic with craniosacral therapy. A randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 71, 102803.

Dobson D, Lucassen PLBJ, Miller JJ, Vlieger AM, Prescott P, Lewith G. Manipulative therapies for infantile colic. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD004796. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004796.pub2

Elias, J., Bozzo, P., & Einarson, A. (2011). Are probiotics safe for use during pregnancy and lactation?. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 57(3), 299–301.

​Ghaheri, B.A., Cole, M., Fausel, S.C., Chuop, M. and Mace, J.C. (2017), Breastfeeding improvement following tongue-tie and lip-tie release: A prospective cohort study. The Laryngoscope, 127: 1217-1223. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26306

Jordan G. J. (2014). Elimination communication as colic therapy. Medical hypotheses, 83(3), 282–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2014.05.018
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Jordan, G. J., Arbeau, K., McFarland, D., Ireland, K., & Richardson, A. (2020). Elimination communication contributes to a reduction in unexplained infant crying. Medical hypotheses, 142, 109811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109811

La Leche League Canada (2015). Newborns have small stomachs. Online: https://www.lllc.ca/newborns-have-small-stomachs [Accessed June 2022].

Ong, T. G., Gordon, M., Banks, S. S., Thomas, M. R., & Akobeng, A. K. (2019). Probiotics to prevent infantile colic. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 3(3), CD012473. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012473.pub2

Safe, M., Chan, W. H., Leach, S. T., Sutton, L., Lui, K., & Krishnan, U. (2016). Widespread use of gastric acid inhibitors in infants: Are they needed? Are they safe?. World journal of gastrointestinal pharmacology and therapeutics, 7(4), 531–539. https://doi.org/10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i4.531

​Siegel, S. (2016). Aerophagia Induced Reflux in Breastfeeding Infants With Ankyloglossia and Shortened Maxillary Labial Frenula (Tongue and Lip Tie). International Journal Of Clinical Pediatrics, 5(1), 6-8.
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