A friendly guide for parents in those early, hazy days. A gentle note before you start reading: Find a cup of tea!
This page is designed to help you understand some of the common reasons babies can seem unsettled, uncomfortable, or hard to soothe. It offers practical, simple things you can try at home and explains how gentle osteopathic care may help.
***If you ever feel unsure, or your baby’s symptoms worry you, always check with your GP, midwife, or health visitor. Trust your instincts — you know your baby best.***
Unsettled or Unhappy Baby
What’s going on?
A little crying and fussing is normal — it’s how babies communicate. But if your little one is grumpy for much of the day or wakes crying for no clear reason, they might be carrying some tension from birth.
During birth, a baby’s soft bones and tissues experience strong forces — whether through the birth canal, via caesarean, or with a little help from instruments like forceps or ventouse. Most babies “work out the kinks” themselves by moving, stretching, and feeding, but sometimes that tension lingers.
You may notice your baby is restless, dislikes lying flat, prefers one side, or struggles to settle. Reflux or tummy discomfort can also make things worse.
How we can help
We take time to listen — about your pregnancy, birth, feeding, sleep, and your baby’s daily rhythm. Then, through gentle hands-on assessment, we check for any tension or restricted movement.
Using light, soothing techniques, we aim to release tight areas and encourage comfort throughout your baby’s body. Many parents notice their baby becomes calmer, feeds more easily, and sleeps better after treatment.
What you can do at home
- Baby massage: Simple, slow strokes on their back or tummy can ease tension and help digestion. We can share trusted video links.
- Cuddle or swaddle: If your baby is overstimulated, holding them close or wrapping them snugly can recreate that safe, womb-like feeling.
- Gentle rhythm: Babies thrive on calm repetition — short walks, soft music, and dim lighting often help them unwind.
Colic & Digestive Discomfort
What’s going on?
Colic describes tummy discomfort in babies where there’s no clear medical cause. It can show up as grunting, straining, trapped wind, or bouts of crying that seem impossible to soothe. The good news — it almost always improves with time as your baby’s digestive system matures.
Signs and symptoms
- Straining or grunting before bowel movements
- Trouble passing stools or burping
- Trapped wind and tummy tension
- General irritability or crying after feeds
How we can help
Gentle osteopathic treatment can support gut mobility and relaxation through the abdomen, ribs, and diaphragm. We use soft movements and cranial techniques to calm the nervous system — helping your baby shift from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”.
We also look at how your baby feeds. A shallow latch, tongue tension, or poor position can cause air intake and make things worse.
What you can do at home
- Try bicycle legs to release wind.
- Use clockwise tummy massage (the direction the gut moves).
- Gently stretch the ribs and tummy area with small side bends or gentle “I Love You” strokes.
- If needed, some parents find Infacol, Colief, or gripe water (4 weeks+) helpful.
Reflux & Silent Reflux
What’s going on?
Reflux happens when milk travels back up from the stomach, often causing crying, hiccups, or discomfort after feeding. “Silent” reflux can be trickier to spot, as babies don’t always bring milk up — they just seem unsettled or dislike lying flat.
A tight diaphragm can play a big role. During vaginal delivery, the compression of the chest helps the baby’s diaphragm and lungs activate. Babies born via caesarean or with a rapid or difficult birth may miss that stimulation, leading to tightness around the ribcage.
The lower oesophageal sphincter (a small muscle between the food pipe and stomach) is often immature and can take a few months to strengthen — usually improving around 12 weeks, though sometimes not until weaning.
Signs and symptoms
- Crying when lying flat
- Needing to be held upright after every feed
- Frequent spitting up or bringing milk back
- Discomfort in the car seat or cot
- Pulling away from the breast, gagging, or coughing
How we can help
We focus on easing and mobilising the chest, ribs, spine, and diaphragm. These gentle movements help improve the natural rhythm of breathing and digestion. We’ll also check the pelvis and limbs — as one area often affects another.
What you can do at home
- Slightly raise the head of your baby’s cot to help milk go down the right way.
- Try ribcage or diaphragm “pumping” — soft pressure below the ribs, like a sigh, to release tension.
- If your baby can hold their head up, gentle seated rotations can help the diaphragm move freely.
- In some cases, milk thickeners or reflux comfort formulas can reduce regurgitation (avoid if constipated).
Early Delivery & Immature Gut
What’s going on?
The gut is one of the last systems to mature before birth. Babies born before full term — or even around 38–39 weeks — can have less-developed digestion. Formula milk, while nutritious, can also be harder to digest than breast milk, sometimes adding to discomfort.
Common signs
- Early or quick delivery
- Jaundice in the first few days
- Gassy, windy tummy
- Constipation or frequent discomfort
- Back arching or milk reflux after feeds
How we can help
We use gentle techniques to support the diaphragm, spine, and abdomen — encouraging better mobility and comfort. A relaxed baby often digests better and gains confidence with feeding.
What you can do at home
- Tummy massage: Try the “I Love U” pattern or “Tiger in the Tree” hold to ease wind.
- Skin-to-skin contact: Encourages warmth, calm and digestive hormones to flow.
Jaw Tension & Suspected Tongue Tie
What’s going on?
A tongue tie means the tissue beneath the tongue is shorter or tighter than usual, making it hard for the baby to move their tongue freely. This can make feeding tricky, lead to air intake, and cause discomfort for both baby and mum.
It’s common, sometimes subtle, and can be missed in early checks.
Signs and symptoms
- Painful or misshapen nipples (“lipstick shape”) after feeding
- Clicking sounds during feeds
- Leaking milk from the sides of the mouth
- Slow or incomplete feeds
- Poor weight gain or frequent hunger
- Tongue not extending fully
How we can help
If we suspect tongue tie, we may suggest an assessment with our feeding consultant, Polly Powell. Meanwhile, gentle work inside and outside the mouth can release jaw and neck tension. Sometimes, mild ties improve with this alone.
What you can do at home
- Let your baby “chew” on your finger along their gum to loosen jaw muscles.
- Gently massage their cheeks and under the chin in a “beard” pattern to release feeding muscles.
- Don’t worry about pressing too softly — babies will show if they’re not happy.
Tongue Tie (Confirmed or Released)
What’s going on?
After a tongue tie release, babies may still have muscle tension in the jaw and neck. They’ve learned to feed with limited movement, so those muscles often need gentle re-education.
Signs and symptoms
If any of the above feeding challenges continue after release — such as poor latch, leaking milk, or frequent feeds — further support can help.
How we can help
We use soft techniques to ease tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. This encourages your baby to use their new range of movement confidently.
What you can do at home
- Play “tug of war” with your baby’s tongue: let them suck your finger, then gently pull away, encouraging them to draw it back in.
- Continue gentle cheek and jaw massage as before.
Neck Preference or Torticollis
What’s going on?
Some babies spend their last weeks in the womb curled up in one position. This can make them favour one side once they’re born. You might notice they look one way more than the other or always feed better from one breast.
If left for a while, a flat spot may develop on the preferred side (called positional plagiocephaly). Tight neck muscles can also press on nerves that affect digestion — sometimes linking to wind or reflux.
Signs and symptoms
- Always turning head to one side
- Feeding better on one side
- Flattened head on one side
- Discomfort in car seat or sling
How we can help
Osteopathy is perfect for this. We gently release the neck and shoulder muscles, encourage balanced movement, and help your baby rediscover comfort turning both ways.
What you can do at home
- Gently stretch your baby’s arms above their head to open shoulder and neck areas.
- While your baby is calm or asleep, softly turn their head the other way, holding the opposite shoulder to give a gentle stretch.
Allergies & Intolerances
What’s going on?
Sometimes, allergies or intolerances can underlie feeding or digestion issues — especially when there’s a family history. The most common is cow’s milk protein intolerance (CMPA).
Common signs
- Mucusy, stringy, or unusual nappies
- Gas, bloating, or constipation
- Frequent arching and crying after feeds
- Rashes or skin irritation
- Vomiting or poor feeding
- Family members with known allergies
How we can help
If osteopathic care doesn’t fully settle symptoms, we’ll help guide you towards further assessment with your GP or allergy specialist. It’s all about teamwork.
What you can do at home
- Try gentle “Tiger in the Tree” hold for relief.
- If breastfeeding, you could trial removing dairy or other possible triggers for 2–3 weeks.
- If bottle-feeding, your GP may suggest hypoallergenic or comfort formulas such as Aptamil Pepti 1 or Kendamil Comfort.
Red Flags — When to Seek Medical Help
Please contact your GP, NHS 111, or go straight to A&E if you notice:
- No wet nappies for 6–12 hours (depending on age)
- Fever:
- Under 3 months — 38 °C or higher
- 3–6 months — 39 °C or higher
- Rapid breathing or struggling to feed
- Difficulty waking, limpness, or unusual drowsiness
- Projectile vomiting
- Persistent jaundice or yellow skin
You can read more at NHS: Fever in Children and Northamptonshire Maternity Services – Dry Nappies.
A final word from Meadowside
Every baby is different — and so is every parent. You’re not doing anything wrong. Sometimes your baby just needs a bit of help finding comfort in their tiny, hardworking body.
At Meadowside Osteopathy, we’re here to listen, support, and gently guide your baby back to balance — so you can both breathe a little easier (and maybe get that elusive hot cup of tea).