Osteopathic Post-natal Check-up Birth can be a most stimulating experience for babies, with every part of the body 'waking up' in the process. Babies are designed for the birth process ie. their extreme flexibility and the ability of the skull bones to overlap. However, even in the easiest of births, there is a lot of force involved and, when birth becomes complicated (eg. unusual presentations, interventions, is very fast or slow, or ends with caesarian section), these forces can be exaggerated. Some babies emerge looking bruised and shocked, and many have obvious moulding through the head and body. Babies can also lie in cramped and odd positions in the womb, and this can result in retained moulding after birth. Osteopaths believe that many problems common to babies such as feeding and minor digestive problems, may, in part be due to these compressive forces. Osteopaths also consider that, left untreated, these structural strains can pre-dispose to problems later on such as poor sinus & dental development, ear infections, neck & spinal pain, asthma, even behavioural and learning difficulties. Consider an Osteopathic Post-natal Checkup & Treatment if: Your baby was in an unusual or cramped position in utero - sometimes these babies are extra-active during pregnancy. Certainly twins always have limited space The birth was very long or very fast Your baby was premature or post mature Forceps or ventouse were used - you may have noticed moulding through the head, bruising or swelling after the birth Your baby was back to back, breech, face, shoulder or brow presentation. Your baby seems unsettled and hard to soothe, has any feeding or digestive issues Your baby looks lopsided! You may notice your baby always lies in a banana shape or with their head is rotated to one side. Often these babies find it hard to feed from both breasts - one side seems easier than the other. Odd shaped heads from the birth should resolve in a few days after birth, as should facial moulding.