Treatment for infants

Baby crying and colic

One of the first things new parents experience is a baby who cries. Crying is the baby’s way of signaling that something is wrong, missing, or uncomfortable. This is completely normal. However, some babies also show symptoms such as sleep issues, digestive discomfort, constipation, excessive crying, or trouble with bowel movements. These issues can often be treated.

On average, a two-week-old baby may cry for 80 to 90 minutes per day, with crying typically peaking during the first two months. In some cases, though, the crying can become excessive or atypical.

Colic is defined as unexplained crying that lasts at least 3 hours per day, 3 days per week, for a minimum of 3 weeks.

Key indicators of colic include:

• A gradual increase in the intensity and duration of crying
• Crying episodes occurring multiple times per day
• Uncontrolled kicking and arm flailing during crying spells

If your baby cannot be soothed by feeding, sleep, cuddling, or a diaper change, it may be difficult to determine whether the crying is within a normal range.

Here is an overview of typical crying behavior at different ages, which often serves as a way for babies to seek attention from their parents:

• 0 to 2 months: crying loudly with closed eyes
• After 2 months: crying or whimpering with open eyes, often during exhalation. Babies may also produce crying-like sounds during this part of their breathing cycle.

Causes of baby crying

• Infections, often accompanied by a fever
• Medical conditions such as silent reflux or other structural issues
• Dysfunction in the digestive system
• Lactose intolerance, where the digestive system reacts with sensitivity or allergy to lactose
• Poor breastfeeding technique or tongue-tie, which may affect feeding
• Reflux or vomiting
• Cranial dysfunction (flat or uneven skull), often linked to complicated births, such as prolonged or rapid labor, vacuum-assisted delivery, or cesarean section
• Neck pain or restricted neck mobility, also commonly associated with difficult births
• Back pain or spinal restrictions, potentially related to fetal positioning or birth complications
• Digestive discomfort (constipation, loose stools, general digestive imbalance), including liver dysfunction, intestinal issues, microbiome imbalance, or problems with sphincter control in the gut

These infant-related issues can be addressed through appropriate manual therapy.

Middle ear infections (ear problems)

This condition is common in children up to the age of six, but it is most frequently seen in infants. The main reason for middle ear infections in babies is that the ear canal is not yet fully developed. This makes it more difficult for mucus membranes to flush out bacteria before inflammation occurs. Middle ear infections can be divided into two stages:

Otitis serosa (fluid in the ear)

This type creates ventilation problems in the ear and is often caused by dysfunction in the ear canal or increased fluid production in the middle ear. Fluid buildup is commonly the precursor to a full middle ear infection.

Symptoms of fluid in the ear

• Often no noticeable symptoms
• Reduced hearing ability
• Green-yellow colored eardrum

Acute otitis media (middle ear infection with closed canal)

At this stage, there is no ventilation in the ear canal, meaning bacteria and inflammation become trapped within the ear.

Symptoms of a closed middle ear infection

• Ear pain and pressure in the ear
• Fever and fatigue
• Red eardrum
• Pain in the bones surrounding the ear (if the infection has spread)

Acute otitis media (middle ear infection with drainage)

At this stage, the ear canal is ventilated again, allowing bacteria, pus, and inflammation to drain from the ear and canal.

Symptoms of open middle ear infection

• Reduced ear pain and less pressure in the ear
• Mild fever

Ear issues in infants can be addressed through manual therapy and a holistic approach to support drainage and healing.

Treatment of frequently ill babies or children

Weakened immune system.

An infant’s immune system begins developing in the womb through the mother’s hormonal, immune, and circulatory systems. This makes maternal nutrition, lifestyle, and physical activity crucial during pregnancy. One often overlooked factor is maternal stress, emotional strain, or lack of physical movement during pregnancy.

The baby’s immune system is further strengthened during and after birth. Passage through the birth canal introduces protective bacteria from the mother’s mucous membranes. Skin-to-skin contact post-delivery also enhances the newborn’s hormonal system.

The bond between mother and baby further supports the development of the infant’s immune and hormonal systems through smiling, talking, and breastfeeding.

• Cranial dysfunctions (flattened or asymmetrical skull), often associated with complicated births such as prolonged labor, rapid delivery, use of vacuum extraction, or cesarean section
• Neck pain or restrictions, which may stem from birth-related mechanical stress
• Back pain or spinal restrictions, potentially linked to in-utero positioning or birth trauma
• Digestive issues such as constipation, hard stools, loose stools, or suspected liver and gut dysfunction, including valve or flora imbalances
• Respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma
• Dietary sensitivities where gluten, lactose, sugar, and starch may irritate the immature digestive tract

Recurrent illness and immune system imbalances in infants can be assessed and treated through a holistic clinical approach focused on gentle, hands-on techniques.

Exposure to bacteria & viruses

In the early stages of life, many babies and children are exposed to a wide range of bacteria and viruses. This is especially common between the ages of one and three, when they begin interacting with other children in care settings. At this stage, the immune system has not yet encountered many pathogens, which means it has not developed antibodies or defenses against various infections. It is therefore natural for babies and young children to occasionally experience fever, congestion, or coughing.

However, some parents find that their child becomes ill once or even multiple times a month. This is not considered normal.

Several contributing factors may be responsible.

Symptoms of a weakened immune system

• Persistent coughing and breathing difficulties
• Frequent illness
• Abdominal cramps
• Poor digestion and irregular bowel movements
• Constipation
• Distended abdomen

Infant reflux

After breastfeeding, it is common for a small amount of milk to come back up. Vomiting can be categorized into two types:

Normal infant reflux

Breast milk returns within 30 minutes. This typically occurs because the baby has consumed too much milk, exceeding the stomach’s capacity. It can also result from the baby lying in a horizontal position for an extended period or because the infant’s stomach is not yet positioned like that of an adult.

Reflux caused by poor sucking technique

Breastfeeding issues are often linked to anatomical or physiological conditions in the infant. A difficult birth, or one involving assisted delivery with vacuum or forceps, can lead to cranial asymmetry or neck restrictions. This may impact the glossopharyngeal nerve, which controls the muscles in the palate and jaw involved in the sucking reflex.

Silent infant reflux

This condition can be difficult to distinguish from normal spitting up. Below are symptoms that may help differentiate it:

• Crying or colic-like behavior
• Crying stops when the baby is fed
• Sleep disturbances or waking up crying
• Recurring asthmatic bronchitis or chronic wheezing

Causes of silent reflux

• Issues with the esophagus or the valve between the esophagus and stomach
• Cranial dysfunctions, for example after difficult births (prolonged or rapid delivery, use of vacuum or forceps, cesarean section)
• Neck pain or restrictions, also often related to complicated births

Osteonordic and baby treatment

We specialize in identifying the root causes and treating pain, discomfort, and health issues in infants. Our approach involves assessing all systems in the body, including the musculoskeletal system (muscles, joints), the nervous system, the circulatory system, the hormonal system, the organ systems, and the craniosacral system. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to determine the correct underlying cause of weakened immunity, infant colic, reflux, vomiting, ear infections, and more.