Home » CPD – 2 day course ‘Treating the Unsettled Baby’

CPD – 2 day course ‘Treating the Unsettled Baby’

2 day workshop:
Treating the Unsettled Baby – a manual approach

Date: 20th/21st April 2024
VenueLondon School of Osteopathy, 12 Grange Road, London SE1 3BE, UK
Times:  10.00-17.00  Saturday & Sunday
Cost:  £300.00
LecturerMiranda Clayton Registered Osteopath

‘Unsettled/fussy’ baby is a term often used to describe a host of behaviours in the first few months of life. These behaviours include excessive & inconsolable crying, sleep disorders, feeding and digestive problems, colic, reflux & silent reflux, apparent abdominal pain, trapped wind, straining to defecate, infant dyschezia, failure to burp, excessive flatulence and others.
Unsettledness is rarely just one thing, but most often a whole cluster of signs & symptoms. Additionally, torticollis and plagiocephaly often run alongside.

In this highly practical workshop (50% lecture / 50% hands-on) we discuss what may underpin this unsettled behaviour – why babies cry, do they feel pain and what may be the source of this pain. We examine in detail, the input of the Autonomic Nervous System, Vagus Nerve & Vestibular System, current knowledge about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Colic, Constipation & Infant Dyschezia.

The emphasis of this workshop is hands-on evaluation, treatment, practical management and advice. All our courses come with full notes and visuals. We cover a variety of techniques, both direct and indirect, to cater to a variety of practitioners. This workshop is suitable for Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Cranio-sacral therapists, Physiotherapists and all qualified practitioners who take a hands-on approach to early life problems.

Treating the Unsettled Baby
20th/21st April 2024
BOOK COURSE

DAY 1 SATURDAY:

Pain, Paediatric Periosteum & Bone
Do neonates experience pain and what is the current evidence for this? Why do some of them cry so much? What structures in a baby’s body may be causing pain and how can we integrate this knowledge into our treatments. Technique sessionDiscussion of anatomy and physiology of paediatric bone and periosteum. The importance of mechano-transduction. Technique session.
The Autonomic Nervous System, Vagus Nerve & Vestibular System
Discussion of the above systems in early life and how their dysfunction may lead to unsettled behaviours. Recognising autonomic dysfunction and signs of state regulatory stress. Technique session for the Sympathetics, Parasympathetics and Vagus Nerve, exercises for the Vestibular system.
Gastroesophageal Reflex Part 1
Definition, signs and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflex disease. Acid versus non-acid reflex and ‘silent’ reflux Cautions and pathological indications for a medical referral. Oesophageal anatomy and the oesophageal sphincters. Physiology of vomiting. Technique session for the Oesophagus, Thoracic Spine, A/P discrepancy etc. Advice for parents. Rethinking the ‘reflux’ model – if ‘reflux’ is not ‘reflux’ what else could it be?


DAY 2 SUNDAY:

Gastroesophageal Reflex Part 2
Role of the Diaphragm & Phrenic Nerves. Technique session. The influence of breathing on the CNS. The liver, its effects on the diaphragm followed by technique session. Medications & medical tests for GERD – what is the current evidence base? Parental anxiety & reflux. Oropharyngeal reflexes/ Trigeminal/Vagal Convergence and the Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex. Evaluation of a baby with GERD – areas to consider and common findings followed by technique session.
Colic, Dyschezia & Constipation Part 1
Signs & aetiology of intestinal and colonic problems in early life. Cautions, pathologies to be aware of and when to make a medical referral. Functional Anatomy of Lower GI Tract – Visceral & Vascular followed by techniques. The process of defecation and gastro-colic reflexes. Locating the viscera in early life. Examination of the abdomen. Technique session – activating the posterior pelvic floor, releasing ileocecal valve, balancing sacrum to lower gut etc.
Colic, Dyschezia & Constipation Part 2
What is meant by ‘colic’ and ‘dyschezia’? Possible aetiologies of infant Colic. Lactose Intolerance, Lactose Overload and Lactase Insufficiency as causes of ‘Colic’. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy as a cause of Colic. Management & advice for parents. Anatomy and clinical examination of the pelvis and sacrum in early life followed by technique session for the area. Functional anatomy of the lower GI tract from a neurological perspective. Constipation – its treatment and management followed by technique session.

Please wear loose and comfortable clothing. Full notes will be supplied before and after the workshop.

A 13 hour CPD certificate will be available at the end of the weekend.

If you can’t come to the UK, you can view our webinar series, which covers the same material


This in a Postgraduate Level workshop. To get the most out of this course you should:

  • Be able to undertake a full health history and physical examination of the infant.
  • Understand your legal obligations when treating paediatric patients, including cautions & contra-indications to manual treatment.
  • Understand the need for medical referrals where indicated.
  • Be clear that you are working within the guidelines of your particular professional or registering organisation

Check with us if you are unsure if thius course is suitable for you  mumandbabyCPD@gmail.com