Craniosacral fascial therapy for babies, also known as CFT, craniosacral therapy or cranial osteopathy, is a gentle, noninvasive hands-on approach to improve the function and mobility of your baby or toddler. CFT uses a slow, soft, and repetitive touch to release tension in the muscle/fascial system. CFT helps restore balance in the craniosacral system and improves the nervous system. Here are some things that CFT (Gillespie Approach) helps with.

  1. Craniosacral Fascial Therapy**Relief from Birth Trauma and overall Structural Tightness**: Birth can be a traumatic experience for both the baby and the mother. CFT can help release tension and restrictions in the baby’s head and neck that may have occurred during birth, promoting relaxation and easing discomfort.
  2. **Improved Feeding**: Babies may experience difficulties latching onto the breast or bottle due to tension in their jaw, neck, or skull. CFT can help release this tension, making it easier for the baby to breastfeed or bottle feed effectively.
  3. **Tongue and Lip Tie** Your tongue should be resting in the palate and filling the entire roof of your mouth. This allows for optimal palate development. A wide palate allows enough room for teeth to come in straight and guides proper cranial bone and orofacial development.  A restrictive tongue will sit in the lower part of the mouth, causing mouth breathing, open mouth posture and a tongue thrust swallowing pattern. These can contribute to an obstructed airway leading to sleep, breathing, and other OMDs.
    Infant Tongue and Lip Tie ** Since the tongue has been tethered during fetal life, it is likely that the infant will have a high palate because it is the tongue’s position in the roof of the mouth that forms the wide palate. This may affect the ability to breastfeed efficiently. Breastfeeding issues may include noisy sucking, clicking, popping on/off breast, leaking milk from sides of mouth, gagging, blisters, inefficient nursing and pain for the Mom.  Other tongue tie related conditions may include reflux, colic, poor sleep, poor weight gain, digestive issues and general fussiness.
  4. **Alleviation of Colic and Digestive Issues and Infant Dysregulation**: Many parents seek CFT therapy for babies who suffer from colic or digestive issues. The gentle techniques used in this therapy can help relax the muscles of the digestive system, promoting better digestion, reducing discomfort, and helps calm an overstimulated nervous system.
  5. **Correction of Torticollis**: Torticollis is a condition where the baby’s neck muscles are tight or shortened on one side, causing the head to tilt or turn to one side. CFT therapy can help release tension in the neck muscles, allowing for improved range of motion and alignment.
  6. **Prevention and Correction of Plagiocephaly**: Plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, can occur when a baby spends too much time in one position, leading to a flat spot on the head. CFT therapy can help redistribute the pressure on the baby’s skull, encouraging proper head shape development.
  7. **Enhanced Relaxation and Sleep**: Many parents report that their babies become more relaxed and sleep better after CFT therapy sessions. By releasing tension in the head, neck, and jaw, this therapy can promote overall relaxation and improve sleep quality.
  8. **Support for Developmental Milestones**: By addressing any restrictions or imbalances in the cranial and facial structures early on, CFT therapy can support the baby’s optimal development, including motor skills, sensory integration, and overall well-being.