What Happens During a Craniosacral Therapy Session for a Baby?

What Happens During a Craniosacral Therapy Session for a Baby?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on complementary therapy that focuses on supporting the body’s natural ability to regulate and find balance. It is particularly gentle when working with babies, using a very light touch to connect with the body’s fascia (the connective tissue surrounding and supporting muscles, organs and other structures).

A session is designed to provide a calm, safe and nurturing environment where your baby can relax and where the therapist can work gently with areas of tension that may have developed during pregnancy, birth or the early weeks of life.

Step 1: Initial consultation

The session usually begins with a conversation about your baby’s pregnancy, birth and early development. The therapist may ask about:

  • Your baby’s birth experience, including whether it was a natural delivery, caesarean section, forceps or ventouse-assisted birth.
  • Feeding patterns and any difficulties with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
  • Sleep patterns, settling difficulties and frequent waking.
  • Digestive discomfort, colic-like symptoms, reflux or constipation.
  • Your baby’s general development, movement and behaviour.
  • Any concerns you have noticed since birth.

This information helps the therapist understand your baby’s individual experience and identify areas that may benefit from further assessment.

Step 2: Creating a calm and comfortable environment

Your baby will usually remain fully clothed and can lie on a comfortable treatment surface or stay in your arms, depending on what makes them feel most secure.

The environment is generally quiet and relaxed, allowing your baby to feel safe and settled. You will be encouraged to stay close throughout the session, and feeding, changing and cuddling breaks are always welcome.

Step 3: Gentle hands-on techniques

The therapist uses an extremely light touch, working with the baby’s fascia and connective tissues.

Areas that may be gently approached include:

  • The head and skull.
  • The base of the head and neck.
  • The shoulders and upper back.
  • The spine and lower back.
  • The pelvis and sacral area.

Unlike conventional manipulation, craniosacral therapy does not involve forceful pressure, cracking or deliberate movement of the baby’s bones or joints. The intention is to work gently with the body’s tissues, allowing the baby to relax.

CST practitioners believe that working with fascial tension may support the body’s natural balance and regulation. However, the effectiveness of CST for treating specific infant conditions has not been established by high-quality scientific research.

Step 4: Following your baby’s responses

Every baby responds differently during a session. Some may become very relaxed or sleepy, while others may move their arms and legs, make little noises or simply observe their surroundings.

Your baby might:

  • Become relaxed and fall asleep.
  • Feed or settle during treatment.
  • Move their body as they become more comfortable.
  • Make facial expressions or little sounds.
  • Become unsettled and need cuddling or reassurance.

A good practitioner will always follow your baby’s cues and adapt the session accordingly. Your baby’s comfort and wellbeing should remain the priority.

Click here to read more about craniosacral therapy and Holistic Therapy in North London by Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)

Birth Trauma, Early Experiences & Our Relationship with Food

Experiences around pregnancy, birth and our earliest years can sometimes have a lasting influence on how we experience ourselves and the world around us.

For some children, difficult experiences may naturally resolve as they grow and develop. For others, particularly when an experience has been overwhelming, its effects may continue into later childhood or adulthood.

Through my work, I have met adults who feel that some of their earliest experiences continue to influence them today. Sometimes these patterns can be connected to experiences around birth or even to the environment in which they developed before birth.

There is also an interesting area of science exploring how experiences can influence development across generations.

A female foetus develops the eggs that she may carry throughout her life. This means that, biologically, when your mother was developing in your grandmother’s womb, the cells that would eventually become your eggs were already present.

This is one reason why researchers are interested in intergenerational and transgenerational influences — how environmental factors, nutrition and other experiences may interact with biology across generations.

Could This Influence the Way We Eat?

Our relationship with food is shaped by many influences: our biology, our environment, our experiences, our family, our culture and the eating patterns we learn as children.

Some of our food preferences and habits may begin within our family environment. We may grow up eating the foods our parents and grandparents prepared, developing familiar tastes, routines and associations around food.

This can be a wonderful thing.

If you grew up in a family where fresh, nutritious food was prepared from scratch, those habits may become a positive part of your relationship with food.

But if your early environment involved highly processed foods, restrictive eating, emotional associations with food or other unhelpful patterns, these too can become familiar.

Understanding where some of our patterns come from can be an important first step towards changing them.

The Science of Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics is a scientific field that explores the relationship between nutrition, genes and gene expression. It is helping researchers understand how the foods and nutrients we consume can interact with our biology.

However, our genes do not determine our destiny. Our health and behaviour are influenced by a complex interaction between genetics, environment, lifestyle, experiences and many other factors.

Exploring these influences can therefore be a valuable part of understanding ourselves — not to place blame on previous generations, but to develop greater awareness of the patterns we have inherited, learned or developed.

Explore Your Own Story

Sometimes healing begins with curiosity.

Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with me?”, we can begin asking:

“Where might this pattern have come from?”

“What did I learn about food, safety and wellbeing while growing up?”

“Which patterns still serve me, and which would I like to change?”

Exploring these questions as an adult can create an opportunity to develop a healthier relationship with yourself, your body and your choices.

You cannot change the past — but you can begin to understand it differently and make new choices in the present.

Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)

Registered Nutritional Therapist, NAET Practitioner, Craniosacral Therapist, Reiki/Angelic, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Health Coach and Trauma-Informed Practitioner with more than 35 years of professional experience.

Appointments are available in N15 6HA, at Life by Margot, online. Community Clinic. Home visits for mothers and babies also available.

Book or enquire for your session click here

What is Craniosacral therapy for babies?

Craniosacral Therapy for Babies: Gentle Support After Birth

The birth of a baby is a profound experience for both mother and baby. While many babies adapt beautifully to life outside the womb, some may experience physical tension, stiffness or difficulty settling after birth.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle, non-invasive approach that uses light touch to support relaxation, body awareness and the body’s natural ability to find greater balance.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy works with the body as a whole, including the tissues and fascia surrounding the head, spine and the rest of the body.

The craniosacral system includes the structures surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Practitioners use very light touch with the intention of supporting relaxation and reducing areas of tension or restriction.

Rather than forcing movement or making adjustments, the approach is gentle and responsive to the baby’s individual needs. I also work with the fascia throughout the body, where areas of tension may sometimes contribute to physical discomfort or restricted movement.

For babies, sessions are calm, gentle and adapted to their cues. There is no forceful manipulation.

When might CST be helpful for a baby?

Parents may consider a gentle CST session when their baby appears to be experiencing tension, difficulty settling or physical restrictions following birth.

Some parents seek support for:

  • Tension or stiffness following a difficult or assisted birth
  • Caesarean or instrumental birth
  • A preference for turning the head to one side
  • Tightness around the neck or jaw
  • Difficulties with positioning or latching
  • General body tension
  • Difficulty settling or relaxing
  • Restlessness and disrupted sleep
  • Digestive discomfort, including symptoms associated with colic or reflux

Every baby is different.

Birth experiences and the baby’s nervous system

Birth is a major transition for a baby. Whether birth is straightforward or more challenging, babies can experience significant physical and sensory changes as they move from the womb into the outside world.

Some parents notice that their baby remains very alert, startles easily, has difficulty settling or seems uncomfortable in certain positions.

Primitive reflexes, such as the Moro reflex, are a normal and important part of early development. They gradually integrate as the baby’s nervous system matures.

What might parents notice after a session?

Babies can respond to a session in different ways. Some appear deeply relaxed and may sleep more afterwards, while others may be a little unsettled or tired for a short period.

Parents may notice changes such as:

  • Greater relaxation
  • More comfortable movement
  • Less apparent body tension
  • An easier time settling
  • Greater freedom when turning the head
  • More relaxed hands and legs
  • Improved comfort when lying in different positions

Some babies respond quickly, while others may benefit from a number of sessions. There is no fixed number of treatments that is right for every baby. I work according to each baby’s individual needs and responses.

A gentle, baby-led approach

My approach is always gentle, respectful and responsive to the baby’s cues. The aim is to create a calm environment where the baby can relax and where their body can be supported without force.

I believe every baby is unique, and every birth experience is unique. My role is to listen, observe and work gently with the baby’s individual needs.

If you would like to discuss whether a gentle craniosacral session may be appropriate for your baby, please get in touch. click here to contact me or call me on Tel. 07956662954 including what’s up.

Why healing yourself—and your baby or children—is so important

I have seen through my own experience just how important healing yourself can be.

For me, my healing journey began when I came to London. Being away from the social restrictions and expectations I had grown up with gave me the space to expand my mind and, perhaps most importantly, to allow myself to be truly me.

This is not about blaming anyone. Not society, not religion, not our families, and not the people who may have influenced us along the way. We are all shaped by our experiences, our upbringing, our environment and the people around us.

For me, healing has been about recognising what was never mine to carry.

It has been about looking at the experiences that shaped me, understanding the things I didn’t want to carry forward, and gently releasing what no longer served me.

Healing is a journey. It can be slow, fast, or somewhere in between. There is no right way to do it.

For me, it has been worth every penny.

I have spent thousands of pounds investing in my health because I knew that taking care of myself would help me become the person I was meant to be. Every course I took, every treatment I experienced, every step I took deeper into myself was about understanding the roots of my struggles—and, at the same time, discovering more of myself.

And I loved the journey.

The challenging parts.
The beautiful parts.
The moments when I understood something new.
And even the moments when I felt completely lost.

Every challenge felt like another step towards opening the door of the cage I had once believed I had to live inside.

And this is why I believe we should not underestimate the importance of the beginning of our journey—especially birth.

Whether it is your own birth story or the birth of your baby, our earliest experiences can be deeply meaningful. Giving ourselves the opportunity to understand and process difficult experiences can be an important part of healing.

And when we heal ourselves, we can also become more conscious of what we pass on to our children.

We don’t have to be perfect parents. We don’t have to have everything figured out.

But we can become more aware.

We can pause.
We can reflect.
We can choose differently.
We can give our children the space to be themselves.

There is more and more research, writing and discussion around birth trauma, attachment, nervous-system regulation and the ways our early experiences can shape us. We are learning more about ourselves all the time.

The pandemic, too, gave many of us an unexpected opportunity to look inward—to question what we wanted, what we didn’t want, what mattered to us and what we wanted to change.

Even though we had such divided opinions about what to do and what not to do, in many ways we were all experiencing uncertainty, fear, change—and, for some, an opportunity to begin healing.

So, if you are at the beginning of your journey, take your time.

You don’t have to rush.

You don’t have to heal everything at once.

Start where you are.

Look after yourself.

Give yourself permission to explore who you really are beyond the expectations that were placed upon you.

You are worth the journey.
And your healing matters.

Birth Trauma, Babies & Craniosacral Therapy

Supporting your baby after a challenging birth

Birth is a profound experience for both baby and mother. While many babies settle naturally after birth, some can appear particularly unsettled, sensitive or difficult to soothe.

A baby’s birth may involve interventions such as a C-section, ventouse, forceps, induction or premature delivery. Sometimes a very fast or difficult birth, or a stressful pregnancy or birth experience for the mother, can leave a family feeling that their baby has had a lot to process.

When a baby is frequently crying, struggling to settle, having difficulties feeding or sleeping, or simply seems uncomfortable, parents can understandably feel worried and exhausted.

What might you notice?

Every baby is different. Some babies settle within the first few weeks, while others may continue to need extra support.

Parents sometimes seek help when their baby experiences:

  • prolonged or frequent crying
  • difficulty settling or sleeping
  • feeding or latching difficulties
  • colic-like symptoms
  • reflux or digestive discomfort
  • mild torticollis or tension
  • difficulty relaxing, even when being held
  • sensitivity to stimulation
  • unsettled behaviour following a difficult or complicated birth

There can be many possible reasons for these experiences, and it is important to consider your baby’s individual needs rather than assuming that one explanation fits every baby.

Gentle support for babies

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, light-touch approach that aims to support relaxation and wellbeing.

In my work with babies, I create a calm and safe environment where your baby can be held, supported and listened to at their own pace. Sessions are gentle and responsive to the baby’s cues, with the aim of helping them feel more comfortable and settled.

Some parents choose CST following a particularly challenging birth, while others come because their baby is unsettled, tense or having difficulties with feeding or sleep.

I see each baby as an individual, and I work with the baby and parents together rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Supporting mother as well as baby

The birth experience can have a profound emotional impact on mothers too.

Whether this is your first baby or your second, third or fifth, every birth is different. You may have experienced fear, anxiety, unexpected intervention, a difficult recovery or simply a birth that did not happen in the way you had hoped.

Supporting the mother is therefore an important part of my approach. Creating space for you to feel heard, cared for and supported can be just as valuable as supporting your baby.

A compassionate, individual approach

My work brings together my experience with babies, children and adults with my continuing interest in the relationship between science, early-life experiences, the body and wellbeing.

I work from a place of:

Compassion · Curiosity · Intuition · Science · Respect for the individual · The wisdom of the body

Some babies may need only a small amount of support, while others may benefit from several sessions. Every baby and family is different, so I will always work at your baby’s pace and discuss with you what may be appropriate.

CST is complementary care and should not replace assessment or treatment from your GP, health visitor, midwife, paediatrician, lactation consultant or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional where this is needed.

About Maria

I have worked with thousands of clients, including hundreds of babies and children, and continue to develop my knowledge and understanding of the connection between early-life experiences, the body and wellbeing.

My intention is to offer babies and their parents a calm, compassionate space where they can feel supported, respected and listened to.

Appointments

In person

Life by Margot
North London
N15 6HA

Community clinic

Crouch End Horsey Vale community clinic click here to read more

Home visits

Home visits are available for mothers and babies, where appropriate.

Online appointments

Online appointments are also available for mothers and parents who would like support from home.

Workshops

I also offer occasional baby workshops at Life by Margot throughout the year. Next one 11.10.26 click here to read more

Get in touch

If your baby has had a challenging birth or you are simply feeling that something is not quite right, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss whether my approach may be suitable for you and your baby.

email me to: esposito_m@yahoo.co.uk

Healing from the Heart

Annotated diagram of appendix anatomy, intestines, cecum, and ileocecal valve

Did you know these facts about your appendix?

What is the appendix?

And why it is more important than you think, like every single part of our body, is there for a reason.

In the past, the appendix, was considered useless and at times it was taken out for no reason, even without being inflamed, the newest research show that the appendix has a bigger role in the human body as usual. Here are some of the explanation of it:

  • The appendix is a small, narrow, tube-like pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine (the cecum).
  • In humans, it is usually about 6–10 cm long.
  • It contains a lot of lymphoid tissue, which is involved in the immune system.

2. What is the appendix for?

The text explains that the appendix is not simply a useless organ. It may have two important roles:

  • Immune function: The lymphoid tissue in the appendix may help support the body’s immune response and protect against harmful organisms.
  • “Safe house” for good bacteria: The appendix contains beneficial bacteria in biofilms. Because it is a narrow, protected pouch, these bacteria can survive illnesses such as diarrhoea and later help repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria.

3. What is appendicitis?

  • Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix.
  • It commonly happens when the appendix becomes blocked, for example by a hardened piece of stool (fecalith), a foreign body, or a tumour.
  • The blockage can increase pressure, reduce blood supply, cause tissue damage, and allow bacteria to multiply.
  • If untreated, the appendix can rupture, which can cause peritonitis or sepsis.

4. Symptoms of appendicitis

Typical symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Abdominal discomfort/pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Pain may initially be dull and difficult to locate.
  • As inflammation increases, the pain can become sharp and more focused, often in the lower-right side of the abdomen.

Unless you do have appendicitis, do consider the benefit of this little part of your intestine and how great it is.

Reference:

A review of the function and evolution of the cecal appendix

Heather F. Smith, First published: 01 April 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24917Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

What Does Health Mean?

Health can mean something different to everyone.

For some people, health means being able to take a few steps each day, go shopping independently, or manage everyday activities with greater ease. For a younger person, it may mean having enough energy to cope with the demands and expectations of modern life. For others, it may mean being able to walk for miles without pain, feel comfortable in their body, and connect with the people around them.

Health is not only about the physical body. Mental and emotional wellbeing are also important parts of our overall health.

I believe that understanding ourselves, recognising our needs, and reconnecting with our own inner resources can be an important part of moving forward. Sometimes we carry old experiences, emotions, stress, or patterns that can leave us feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

Through my therapies, I aim to support you in exploring these patterns and developing a greater awareness of yourself and your body. Depending on your individual needs, this may include somato-emotional work, craniosacral therapy, healing, NLP, or nutritional support.

Somato-Emotional Release

Somato-emotional work explores the relationship between the body, emotions, and past experiences. Some people feel that unresolved experiences can continue to influence how they feel in their body and in their everyday life.

Every person is different. Some people may find that one session is helpful, while others benefit from several sessions. There is no fixed timetable, because your experience and needs are unique.

With more than 35 years of experience in holistic therapies, working with babies, children, and adults, I have seen how powerful gentle, individualised support can be.

If you have a medical condition, your GP or other appropriate healthcare professional should always be your first point of contact for diagnosis, testing, and medical treatment. Complementary therapies can be considered alongside appropriate medical care, rather than as a replacement for it.

Where appropriate, additional nutritional investigations may also be available at an extra cost.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle approach that encourages relaxation, body awareness, and a sense of connection with yourself.

One of the things that continues to amaze me is seeing people become more aware of what is happening within themselves. Some clients describe feeling calmer, more settled, or more connected after a session.

My intention is to create a safe and supportive space where your body and mind can slow down, allowing you to notice what you may need.

Babies and Children

Babies often respond beautifully to gentle therapeutic work.

Every baby has their own story, temperament, experiences, and way of communicating. During a session, a baby may become very quiet and relaxed, or they may cry, move, or express themselves in other ways.

Crying does not necessarily mean that something is wrong or that a parent has done anything wrong. Crying is one of the main ways babies communicate. They may be tired, uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or simply expressing what they are experiencing in that moment.

For parents, it can be reassuring to know that they do not need to interpret every cry as a sign that they have done something wrong.

A baby session is gentle, but that does not mean it is insignificant. Parents may notice changes afterwards, such as their baby appearing more settled, moving more comfortably, or sleeping differently. Every baby responds differently, and there can be no guarantee of a particular outcome.

The most important thing is to listen to the individual baby and respect their needs throughout the session.

Every Person Has Their Own Story

Whether I am working with a baby, child, or adult, every session is different.

There is no single approach that works for everyone. My role is to listen, observe, support, and work with you as an individual.

For me, holistic therapy is about creating space for greater awareness, relaxation, and connection — helping you understand yourself better and supporting you as you move forward in your own way.

Your health is your journey, and your story is unique.

Listening to the Body: Go within to heal yourself!

As I work gently with the whole person—physical, emotional, and, when appropriate, spiritual—I often become aware of different sensations through my hands and intuitive awareness. Sometimes I notice areas that feel warm, tense, dense, or resistant, particularly around the head, neck, and body.

Over many years of practice, I have observed that these sensations can sometimes reflect areas where a person has been holding physical tension or experiencing emotional stress. While these are my clinical and intuitive observations, they should not be interpreted as medical diagnosis.

I believe that the body often communicates before the conscious mind fully understands what it is carrying. During a session, we gently create space for awareness, allowing the person to notice thoughts, feelings, or life experiences that may be connected to what they are experiencing physically. This process is always guided with kindness, compassion, and without judgement.

My role is not to force change, but to support the body’s own natural capacity for balance and self-regulation. As the nervous system relaxes and the body begins to soften, many people describe feeling lighter, calmer, more flexible, and more connected to themselves. Often these positive changes continue to unfold naturally in the days and weeks following a session.

At times, I may experience warmth through my hands. Within my holistic practice, I sometimes interpret this as an indication that a person may be carrying strong emotions such as frustration, sadness, grief, or emotional intensity. This interpretation comes from my experience as a therapist and from traditional holistic perspectives, rather than established scientific evidence.

When working with babies and children, I often observe how naturally they respond once their bodies begin to relax. Children frequently release tension quickly and may become calmer, more settled, and more comfortable. Supporting parents to understand their child’s emotional and physical needs is an important part of my work, helping families respond with greater confidence, compassion, and connection.

Every person is unique. Every body tells its own story and responds in its own way and in its own time. Each session honours the wisdom of the individual, supporting their natural journey towards greater balance, wellbeing, and inner peace.


Begin Your Healing Journey

Book your healing session today and discover how your body can naturally unfold, heal, and find balance—in your own way and in your own time.

Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)
Holistic Healing & Heart-Led Therapy


📍 North London

Supporting babies, children, and adults with compassionate, heart-led holistic care for over 30 years.

Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Children, Healing Our World!

Working with Babies, Children and Adults through Craniosacral Therapy

“What happens during a session? I don’t see anything happening. Are you doing anything?”

This is one of the questions I am asked most often.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on therapy. Although the touch is light and the movements are subtle, many people describe experiencing a deep sense of relaxation during treatment.

During a session, I use my hands to gently assess areas of tension, restriction and movement throughout the body. My training in anatomy, physiology, the musculoskeletal system, fascia and the body’s natural rhythms allows me to work with the body in a careful, responsive and individualised way.

Rather than attempting to force change, the intention is to support the body’s natural processes and create the conditions in which it can function with greater ease and comfort.

Every session is tailored to the individual, recognising that each person’s experience is unique.

Working with Babies

Babies often respond well to the gentle nature of craniosacral therapy because their bodies are still developing and adapting to life outside the womb.

Birth can be an intense experience for both mother and baby. Whether the birth was straightforward or more complex, some parents choose craniosacral therapy as a way of supporting their baby’s adjustment during the early weeks and months.

Parents sometimes report that their babies appear calmer and more settled following treatment. Some also notice changes in feeding, sleeping patterns and general comfort. As every baby is unique, responses to treatment vary considerably.

The techniques used during treatment are extremely gentle and are intended to support relaxation and overall wellbeing.

Working with Children

Children may benefit from craniosacral therapy during times of physical, emotional or developmental change.

Parents often tell me that their children seem calmer, more comfortable and better able to cope with the demands of everyday life following treatment. Some children also appear more confident and better able to express themselves.

Each child is treated as an individual, and every session is adapted according to their needs.

Working with Adults

Many adults seek craniosacral therapy because they wish to make time for themselves, experience deep relaxation and explore a greater sense of balance and wellbeing.

Each session is unique because no two people are the same. Rather than directing the process, I work alongside you, allowing your body to respond in its own way and at its own pace.

Many people describe the experience as being like peeling back the layers of an onion, gradually revealing deeper patterns of tension, stress and holding.

From the moment you arrive, my intention is to provide a safe, supportive and compassionate environment in which you can relax. As the body settles, many people describe experiencing a greater sense of ease, calmness and wellbeing.

Every healing journey is unique, and we move forward at a pace that feels comfortable for you.


Is Craniosacral Therapy the Same as Reiki?

People often ask me this question because some clients describe experiencing colours, images, deep relaxation, or a profound sense of peace during treatment.

Although there are similarities in the gentle nature of the touch, craniosacral therapy and Reiki are different approaches.

Craniosacral therapy is grounded in the study of anatomy, physiology and the body’s physical structures. The therapist works with gentle touch to assess and support the body’s natural movement and balance.

Reiki is a spiritual energy healing practice that works from a different philosophy and framework.

Some people find that craniosacral therapy also brings emotional or spiritual awareness during a session. This experience is unique to each individual and depends on many factors, including where they are on their own healing journey and what they are ready to explore.

My intention is always to support the whole person—with compassion, presence and respect for the body’s own wisdom and natural ability to move towards balance.