Osteopathy for babies and children
Laura became one of the first in the UK to complete a Masters in Paediatric Osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, a three-year part-time qualification that included working in the neonatal unit at Barnet Hospital. Rebecca works in our babies and children clinic too and is studying for her Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy at the same centre (occ.uk.com).
Osteopathy is a gentle treatment that suits babies and children. Osteopaths use stretching, massage and other gentle techniques such as cranial, which is safe, gentle and non-manipulative. Your osteopath places their hands on your baby's head, back, tummy or other areas and applies small amounts of pressure to restore ease in the tissues. They'll look not only at where the symptoms are, but also at other things that may contribute, including past trauma, environment and family health history.
Your visit
Before the first session you'll fill in a detailed questionnaire about your pregnancy, labour and your child's medical history. In the session your osteopath gathers anything else they need and examines your child. We may occasionally ask you to undress your baby or child to their nappy or underwear, but this isn't always needed and is always your choice.
Your osteopath will explain their diagnosis and plan, and give you an idea of how many sessions may help. For some children one session is enough; more complicated cases may need a longer course. Sessions usually last up to half an hour.
Bring milk, finger foods, a favourite toy or a dummy to keep them happy. Babies can be treated while they're being fed, and we have colourful toys and full changing facilities, all on the ground floor.
Occasionally a baby or child seems slightly unsettled after a session. This is a normal reaction and usually settles quickly. Your osteopath is always on hand if you have any questions.
The Tongue Tie Clinic
The Tongue Tie Clinic offers private, comprehensive feeding and tongue tie assessments with Jenny Kelly, a specialist tongue tie practitioner. If a tongue tie is diagnosed, treatment (a frenulotomy, or tongue tie division) can be done in the same appointment, and infant feeding support is provided too.
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is where the strip of skin connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is short and thick, which can restrict the tongue's movement and affect feeding. It affects up to 10% of newborns, although only about half of those need division, and is more common in boys. It isn't always obvious, so the clinic uses two assessment tools that look at how the tongue works, as well as how it looks, for breast and bottle-fed babies.
The clinic sees babies up to 6 months old and doesn't assess or treat lip ties. Book directly at thetonguetieclinic.co.uk, email jenny@thetonguetieclinic.co.uk or call Jenny on 07700 152699.
Baby massage classes
Siobhan trained with the International Association of Infant Massage, the world-class standard for teaching baby massage. Her small-group courses run over four weeks in a clean, calm room at the clinic.
For your baby
- Feeling securely attached, loved and valued
- Less crying and emotional distress
- More relaxation and longer sleep
- Body awareness and coordination
- Relief from wind, colic, constipation and teething discomfort
For you
- Feeling closer to your baby
- A deeper understanding of your baby's behaviour, crying and body language
- One-to-one time together
- More confidence in caring for and nurturing your baby
- A life-long parenting skill
What you'll learn
- Massage strokes
- A short colic routine
- Gentle movements and touch relaxation
- The best time for massage
- Which oils to use
- How to adapt your strokes as your child grows
Feet and walking
Podiatry suits children of all ages too, especially if you're worried about their feet, walking, posture, nails or skin. See podiatry and chiropody.
Who you'll see
Laura Humphries
B.Ost, MSc (Paediatric Osteopathy)Laura graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2004, where she studied with Nina, and went on to become one of the first in the country to complete a Masters in Paediatric Osteopathy. As part of her MSc she worked for three years at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, including its outreach clinic in the premature baby unit at Barnet Hospital.
More about Laura
Rebecca Austen
M.A, M.Ost, CPO, Registered OsteopathRebecca qualified with a first class Masters in Osteopathy from Swansea University and has treated patients from seven days old to over 80. She has trained further in cranial osteopathy and is studying for a Diploma in paediatric, pregnancy and post-partum osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, where she works one day a week.
More about Rebecca
Jenny Kelly
BSc, RN, HV, TTPJenny qualified as a registered nurse in 2010 after a degree in Psychology, and specialised as a health visitor in 2014, a role she still does part time in the NHS as infant feeding key worker for the Cheltenham Health Visiting team.
More about Jenny
Siobhan Doherty
Level 3 Sports and Massage Therapy, IAIM trainedSiobhan of SD Massage offers full sports maintenance massage, therapeutic massage tailored to the individual, pregnancy massage suitable throughout pregnancy, and small-group baby massage classes. She trained with the International Association of Infant Massage.
More about SiobhanPrices
Tongue tie appointments are booked and priced by The Tongue Tie Clinic directly.