Craniosacral Therapy for Pregnancy, Babies and Children
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle therapy that works with the natural rhythm of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This fluid flows between the cranium (head) and the sacrum (base of the spine), supporting the central nervous system and helping the body function smoothly.
All communication between the brain and the body travels through this system. When tension or restriction develops within the tissues of the body, it can sometimes affect how comfortably the nervous system functions. Craniosacral therapy uses very light touch to support the body in releasing these tensions and restoring balance.
Benefits for Babies
Babies can benefit from CST in situations like:
- Birth-related trauma: Difficult deliveries, cesarean sections, or assisted births.
- Colic or feeding issues: Gentle cranial adjustments may aid digestion and reduce discomfort. No manipulation or movement in craniosacral, working only on fascia, which in turns the body itself adjusts to a normal flow of their body and system.
- Sleep disturbances: Promotes relaxation and better sleep patterns.
- Reflux or constipation: Helps the nervous system regulate bodily functions.
- With all the symptoms above, there is a possibility that the primitive reflexes stay for longer than they should be, eg. The Moro reflex can linger for longer than 4 months, where the baby will keep jumping in their sleep and wake themselves up, or when the baby will fight so hard to fall asleep and get themselves in a state of high alert, hence stopping to fall into a deep sleep.
- Other reflexes can be retained if the birth trauma, or the entire body stays stuck in the birth trauma, for the mother and baby as well.
Craniosacral Therapy During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of profound physical and emotional change for both mother and baby. The environment within the womb plays an important role in a baby’s development, and the emotional wellbeing of the mother can influence this environment.
Many mothers find it helpful to spend time connecting with their baby during pregnancy by:
• Gently touching the belly
• Talking or singing to the baby
• Reading or listening to calming music
• Practicing breathing and relaxation exercises
Learning how to relax the body and calm the mind can help create a supportive and nurturing environment for the baby.
During craniosacral therapy sessions, I may also teach simple mindfulness practices and
HeartMath-style breathing techniques to help mothers reconnect with themselves and with their baby.
This gentle approach supports both mother and baby in feeling calmer, more balanced, and more connected.
How Craniosacral Therapy May Help Babies and Children
Babies sometimes experience physical tension during pregnancy or birth. Craniosacral therapy can gently support the release of these tensions and help the baby settle into a more comfortable state.
Babies often communicate discomfort through crying, restlessness, or difficulty feeding or sleeping. Because craniosacral therapy is extremely gentle, it can help support their natural balance and comfort.
Parents sometimes notice that babies become calmer during sessions. It may appear that very little is happening, but babies can be very sensitive to subtle changes in their bodies.
Common Issues That May Improve
Some of the conditions that parents have reported improvements with include:
• Colic
• Breastfeeding difficulties
• Frequent reflux or vomiting of milk
• Sleep disturbances
• Head or neck tension after birth
• Clinginess or irritability• Teething discomfort
• Frequent colds or coughs
• Bedwetting
• Anxiety in children
• Night terrors
• Digestive discomfort
Every baby and child is different, and changes may take a few sessions depending on the individual situation.
Supporting the Mother Is Important Too
In many cases I recommend that the mother also receives treatment. The wellbeing of the mother and the baby are deeply connected, and when the mother’s body relaxes and rebalances, this can positively influence the baby as well.
My Personal Journey with Craniosacral Therapy
My own journey with craniosacral therapy began after a very traumatic labour and birth with my son. When I stopped breastfeeding at 14 months, he began having frequent colds and coughs. I tried different approaches such as nutrition, homeopathy, and vitamin C, which helped but did not fully resolve the problem.
Eventually I took him for craniosacral therapy. Over time, the sessions helped release the tension from his birth experience. Gradually his immune system strengthened and the frequency of his illnesses reduced significantly.
Through this experience I also discovered that my own body had retained tension from childbirth many years later. Craniosacral therapy helped my body release that stored tension, bringing profound physical and emotional changes.
This experience inspired me to train in craniosacral therapy so I could help other mothers, babies, and families.
A Balanced Start in Life
Supporting babies early in life can help them develop a balanced nervous system and greater resilience as they grow.
Many parents notice their babies becoming calmer, sleeping better, and appearing more comfortable in their bodies after treatment.
Starting life with a balanced system can help children adapt more easily to the challenges and experiences that life brings.
I consider babies like little Buddha, they tell you where a possible restriction, pressure or tightness is, which is where we would then put our hand to allow that restriction or pressure to let go and the baby to start smiling again, thrive into beautiful little Buddha and human being. The parents might not see what is going on, but the baby will definitely feel it. Quite often the baby will connect to me and smile, even with their eyes close, feeling that whatever I am doing is working and free their restrictions.
I often seen restrictions of the head movement from one site, very restricted, or slightly restricted which the generic doctor will not consider a problem, but if left unattended that it would cause big problems later on.
Video of fascial unwinding for babies and what they do:
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Some of the children and babies that I treated with CST had some traumatic birth or even without a traumatic birth and what some of the issues that I saw with great benefit were:
Talk to you baby during pregnancy video to watch