Cranial Amatsu for Babies
• Amatsu in Pregnancy
• Baby Massage Courses
Why is Amatsu Therapy perfect for your baby?
HOW WAS YOUR BABY DELIVERED?
It is a common misbelief that babies and children have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies because they are so young – the reality can be a very different story.
Our birth can be one of the most stressful events of our life. We are subjected to enormous forces as the uterus contracts to expel us against the natural resistance of the birth canal. We are required to twist and turn as we are squeezed through the bony pelvis on our short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.
A baby’s head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, warp and bend as the baby descends, with the baby’s chin normally well tucked down towards the chest to reduce the overall diameter of the head.
As a result of this process and the stresses it entails, many babies even in the event of a normal delivery are born with odd shaping to the head. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually re-shape, known as “un-moulding” as the baby cries, suckles and yawns. However, this un-moulding process can often be incomplete, especially where the birth has been difficult, leaving the baby possibly feeling uncomfortable in its head and also body.
This is where treatment can help. It is suitable for every birth scenario but most notably we especially look out for one of the following birth scenarios;
Emergency Caesarean Section
Elective Caesarean Section
Assisted with forceps or Ventouse
Normal delivery but very fast
1. BY EMERGENCY AND ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION?
Caesarean Section and Baby Stress
Evidence suggests, as has recently been reported in the press that babies born by section are calmer happier babies, well this is only part of the story;.
Yes a baby born by elective section has potentially been subjected to much lower levels of the hormone cortisol, which is produced in the mother’s adrenal glands and delivered to the baby via the umbilical cord. This production, it has been suggested initiates the labour process, and therefore where a birth is elective the labour stage is unreached. As a result, the baby is calmer and more relaxed.
This is of course not the case for a baby who has been delivered by emergency section, where the labour process has already begun and the cortisol production continues over what can be a very distressing time for both mother and child until a section is deemed necessary. This baby has been under far greater stress and often over a long time frame.
Caesarean Section and Digestive and Respiratory Function
In the event of a section, where a baby has not been down the birth canal, they have not had the rib compression vital for “switching on” their lungs and respiratory apparatus as well as certain digestive processes. These babies, whilst benefiting from reduced cortisol, have not been through an important and significant part of the birthing process, especially since it became considered inappropriate to either slap the baby’s bottom or swing the baby as traditionally was the case. This at least provided a technique to doubly confirm that respiration had kicked in.
2. BY ASSISTANCE WITH FORCEPS OR SUCTION, OR SIMPLY A NORMAL DELIVERY?
Assisted Births – Forceps or Ventouse Methods
Similarly to an emergency section, a baby who has been delivered by assisted means, as an end result of a long or complicated labour with extensive cortisol, is also likely to have experienced high levels of stress.
In addition, the method of delivery and action of being pulled, is likely to have exerted pressure around the head, specifically the temporal bones of the forehead, the jaw and the sphenoid bone which surrounds the eyes.
WHAT AFFECT DOES RETAINED MOULDING HAVE ON A BABY?
Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding or compression and are happy and contented. For others it can be a different story and they can display a variety of problems and symptoms. These can include;
feeding difficulties, severe crying, colic, sickness, wind, heavy breathing, sleeping difficulties, ears nose and throat problems, emotional or behavioural problems, movement, balance and co-ordination problems. (it is also worth noting that as a result of the interconnectedness of our body, stresses and symptoms are not necessarily limited simply to the head and can extend into the throat, shoulders and even further)
HAVE YOU NOTICED A FEW OF THESE COMMON SYMPTOMS IN YOUR BABY?
Cries and is Irritable:
Often crying, fractious and irritated. Prefers to be carried and needs rocking to sleep
Reason: they may be uncomfortable with a constant feeling of pressure in their head or chest. Often this is made worse by the additional pressure on their head when laying.
Has difficulty feeding:
Takes a long time to feed and one feed seems to merge into the next. They may also be a sicky or windy feeder
Reason: feeding can be difficult and tiring for them, due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. The nerves to the tongue may be irritated as they exit from the skull which can make sucking difficult.
Persistent Feeding:
Wanting to suckle constantly, irritated if not
Reason: possible restriction or tension in the bones of the upper palate, which the action of sucking attempts to relieve.
Has sickness colic or wind:
Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind or excessive breaking of wind. All often worse in the evening
Reason: the nerve to the stomach is irritated or compressed as it exits the base of the skull, which impairs digestion. The diaphragm may be distressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to hold on to its contents.
Has disturbed sleep:
Only sleeps for short periods and may sleep little in the day or night. Wakes to the slightest noise
Reason: possible tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby’s nervous system in persistently alert state.
As your child grows the effects of retained moulding can lead to other problems. Some of the most common include; ear infection, sinus and dental problems, mouth breathing, constantly blocked or runny nose, headaches and pains, asthma, behavioural problems and learning difficulties.
DURING YOUR BABY’S TREATMENT, AMATSU THERAPY VERY GENTLY ACHIEVES
Cranial rebalancing – to balance the cranial sacral rhythm and release any persistent moulding to help activate respiratory, digestive, learning and growth processes.
Muscle and Skeletal frame balancing and alignment – to relieve any twists and tensions in the body as result of delivery and align the spine and pelvis.
Visceral release – to very gently release any excess tension in tissues around the organs to ensure optimum growth and function.
HOW MANY WILL I NEED?
All babies are as different as their birth process and regularity of treatment depends on the severity of their problem. Simple rebalancing could take 2-3 sessions or less, whereas for acute or chronic problems it is best to allow 4-6 sessions.
Don’t interrupt your baby’s routine; if they are due to eat before their appointment, then its fine for us still to work with them. On some occasions a baby can be a little sick during, so muslin and a change of clothes is advisable.
AFTER A TREATMENT
This can vary dependent on age and severity. On occasion a baby can be unsettled or cry during or immediately after treatment, this is completely normal, it’s their own healing process welcoming with the changes in their bodies. It can also be an indicator that the re-moulding is incomplete and further treatment is required.
Often, once they settle, they relax and fall asleep. This is an excellent part of healing and they can often appear to sleep longer than normal. It is best not to disturb them for as long as possible. It’s actually a good time for you to get some sleep too! Some children have a burst of energy after treatment followed by a good nights sleep, it simply depends.
It is not always possible for all the retained moulding compression to release in one session, especially if it has been severe.
WHEN SHOULD I BRING MY BABY?
The answer is the younger the better, it is never too early, especially if your baby cries from possible discomfort. In children it is ideal to treat before the age of 5, after this the moulding stresses can be improved, but not always completely eliminated. However, it is still possible to achieve beneficial improvement at any age throughout life.
A NOTE FOR MUM
In the same way that your baby has just encountered one of the most stressful times of its life, so have you and your body! It is safe to say, the more difficult it was for your baby, then it was equivalently physically and emotionally demanding for you. It is a very good idea to make an appointment for yourself, to rebalance your pelvis, often “pulled” as a result of carrying and labour and settle your own cranial sacral rhythm, let alone the strains you have from lack of sleep and lifting and twisting with bags, buggies and car seats.
In some circumstances trauma or interruption to labour like an emergency section, can sometimes have had an affect on your relationship or bond with your new born. This can be very distressing for you, but can have natural cause and be easily remedied by correcting the balance of your body. If you think this may apply to you and would like to know more, please have a chat with your practitioner in full confidentiality.
Credit in part: Dennis Bartram 1999
