Stretching has NOT been shown to be clinically effective for resolving torticollis.
The following recommendations help with neck and back strengthening. This can prevent and reduce the development of positional plagiocephaly or flat spots on one side of the back of a baby’s head.
Why are We Putting Babies to Sleep on Their Backs?
In 1985 after retrospectively investigating only 15 deaths, researchers concluded that that Hong Kong had a much lower rate of unexplained infant deaths than that of Western countries. They cited a low incidence of preterm birth in Hong Kong (a known risk factor for unexplained infant death) and two significant differences in infant sleep environments — crowded living conditions and the traditional Chinese practice of putting babies to sleep on their backs. Given the absurdity of recommending crowded living conditions and the unlikelihood of reducing preterm birth, they went with the supine sleep recommendation in their conclusions. Read more
I recently had a conversation with parents about crying babies and toddlers. They were apartment dwellers who were concerned about disturbing the neighbors.
CRYING! It is, after all, a distress call. It’s disturbing — like having a shrieking smoke alarm in your living room. It’s supposed to attract parental attention. Crying is one of the baby’s main survival skills. It helps a baby tell parents/caregivers that they have an unmet need. Sometimes crying is a pain-coping practice. Other times it is a form of release. Read more
This is part five of a six-part series. In part one, My Baby Dropped!, I explain why engagement is pathology. In part two, Why Did My Baby Get Stuck?, I explore the maternal factors that cause babies to get stuck. Part three is called Fetal Factors: How Babies Get Themselves Stuck. Last week I wrote Fetal Constraint: How Culture Immobilizes Babies. Today’s post is about the fetal constraint downsides for labor and birth. Next week I’ll write about how fetal constraint adversely affects the babies themselves — the things we notice after birth. Read more
When I consider how babies fit into — and through — a maternal pelvis I view it from three perspectives: midwifery, bodywork and yoga. As a midwife I generally know more about birth than many bodyworkers. As a bodyworker I know more about how, anatomically and bio-mechanically, a baby fits into and ultimately through a maternal pelvis – more than than some midwives. This is about optimal fetal positioning – or lack thereof. Read more
“My baby dropped!!” People usually say this with great enthusiasm when it happens. I’ve never really understood why people rejoice about their babies dropping. Read more
In my other life I’m a bodyworker and bodywork teacher. When I taught in-person prenatal yoga classes, my students often asked me about the benefits of bodywork during pregnancy. They wanted to know more about Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and how it can help. Today I’ll explain it. Read more
Pain in the posterior pelvis is common during pregnancy. It typically begins in mid pregnancy. Although, it can start at any time. Sometimes it goes away during pregnancy. If it does, that usually happens in the third trimester. Other times it persists long after the birth. Your mileage may vary. Read more
Finding Your Question is a process I have been introducing to groups for over 20 years. I have lead this activity with more than a thousand people – usually in small groups. I never tire of it. I guide ALL of my Craniosacral Therapy students to find their deepest questions at the beginning of any class series. It has been a daily practice in my own life since I learned it from Pam England, author of Birthing From Within. I began working in this way with groups of expectant parents in 1999. Read more
I guess I’m not an auditory type. However, I LOVED this podcast – every minute of it. I listened to ALL of it! I love James McKenna! I really do! I LOVED his books – especially his most recent one: Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions by James J. McKenna. Ph.D. Dr. McKenna hit another home run with this book. It’s geared toward a general audience – including families and health professionals working with families. Read more