At Meadowside Osteopathy in Farnham, our specialist Cranial Osteopaths provide safe, gentle, and effective treatment for babies. We help support healthy development, ease discomfort, and promote better sleep, easier feeding, and overall wellbeing for your child.
We know that early parenthood is a mix of joy, exhaustion, and the often moment of âwhat do I do now?â
If youâve ever asked yourself âwhy is my baby crying all the time?â, youâre not alone – itâs one of the most common questions we hear from parents.
Sometimes babies are simply adjusting to life outside the womb. Other times, they may be holding a little tension from birth, or finding it hard to feed, digest, or settle comfortably.
Our experienced team of Cranial Osteopaths in Farnham provide gentle, safe, and effective care for babies, toddlers, and children.
Most babies benefit from a gentle check-up after birth – ideally within the first 2â6 weeks – but osteopathy can help at any stage.Â
We help ease tension, support feeding and digestion, and encourage calm, comfortable development, while making sure parents feel supported and reassured, too.
Many parents find us through their midwife, GP, health visitor, breastfeeding consultant, or other local mums.
Gentle cranial osteopathy releases tensions from birth, allows your baby to breathe more deeply and comfortably, calms your babyâs nervous system and supports more restful sleep.
Soft, rhythmic techniques relax the diaphragm and tummy to ease trapped wind, reduce crying, and help digestion flow smoothly.
By releasing tightness in the chest and diaphragm, osteopathy helps reduce discomfort and support more comfortable feeding.
We assess how your baby feeds and moves, helping improve latch, coordination, and comfort â reducing strain for both of you.
Working closely with Polly Powell, our in-house lactation consultant and tongue-tie specialist, we provide gentle pre- and post-release care to support easier, more efficient feeding.
Gentle stretching and balancing techniques help release tight neck muscles so your baby can move freely, feed evenly, and avoid head flattening.
Babies born by c-section, ventouse, or forceps â or who arrived early â can retain tension. Osteopathy helps their body adapt comfortably and supports natural development.
Our calm, restorative approach helps babies relax, improving comfort, digestion, and overall sleep quality.
Want to learn more about how osteopathic care can support your baby? Read our blog for helpful insights and tips.
A little fussing is normal – itâs how babies tell us what they need. But if your baby seems grumpy most of the day, cries without a clear reason, or wakes often and unsettled, they may be holding onto some tension from birth.
During labour and delivery (whether vaginal, assisted, or by caesarean), babyâs soft bones and tissues go through a lot of pressure and twisting. Most babies naturally âunwindâ over time through movement, stretching, and feeding, but sometimes that tightness lingers.
You might notice your baby:
Colic describes tummy discomfort that can make babies cry or strain, even when nothing is medically âwrong.âÂ
Itâs very common and usually improves as their digestive system matures.
You might notice:
Reflux happens when milk flows back up from the stomach, causing hiccups, crying, or discomfort after feeding.Â
âSilentâ reflux is trickier – the milk stays down, but your baby might still cry, grimace, cough, or dislike lying flat after a feed.
Tension around the thorax, ribcage or diaphragm – which is common after caesarean or a fast delivery – can be a trigger, or make symptoms worse.Â
Usually, reflux improves by 3-4 months, as the digestive system strengthens.
Babies born even a little early (before 39 – 40 weeks) sometimes have a digestive system thatâs still developing.Â
Formula milk can be harder to digest than breast milk, leading more frequently to trapped wind or discomfort.
If the tissue under the tongue (the frenulum) is tight or short, your baby may struggle to move their tongue freely, making feeding tricky.Â
This can lead to ineffective feeding, uncomfortable feeding for you or your baby, air intake, wind, and frustration.
After a tongue tie is released, your baby may still hold tension in their jaw or neck – as these muscles have been used differently to feed while the tongue was tied, and the feeding pattern will need some help to adjust.
Some babies prefer turning their head one way, often due to their position during pregnancy or birth.Â
If they keep favouring that side, a flat spot may appear (this is called positional plagiocephaly), or feeding may be preferred on one breast only.
Some babies react to certain foods – most commonly cowâs milk protein, and sometimes other foods, if allergies are common in the family.Â
This can cause digestion issues, discomfort, or skin irritation.
Note that digestive discomfort in babies is usually not a true allergy, but is due to the other issues we have discussed in this page – such as immature gut, poor latch or reflux.Â
Only if your baby has some of the more unique signs below, we can suspect an allergy or intolerance.
After your appointment, youâre welcome to take a moment before heading home.
Our Community Room is a quiet, cosy space where you can feed, change, or just pause.
We provide changing facilities, nappies, wipes, and muslins if you need them, plus a little play area for older children.Â
Youâre never rushed – itâs your space to regroup, feed, or relax.
Join us at Pollyâs Infant Feeding CafÊ – a cosy, family-friendly space where parents can relax, chat, and get gentle support over a good cup of coffee.
Thereâs plenty of room for buggies and little ones to play, and easy access from Farnham and the surrounding villages.
Whether youâre expecting, feeding a newborn, or chasing a toddler, youâre warmly welcome to come along, connect with others, and share the journey.
Open to all feeding journeys – bumps, babies, parents, and partners welcome.
Dates are announced on Polly’s Instagram @pollythemidwife
Yes. Cranial osteopathy is gentle, safe, and relaxing. We use soft touch to help your babyâs body release tension naturally. Most babies stay calm or sleep through their treatment.
Anytime you have a concern. Many parents book a check-up within the first 2â6 weeks after birth, especially after a long or assisted labour. Older babies benefit too, particularly during feeding changes or growth milestones.
No â you can book directly with us. Many parents come after recommendations from their midwife, GP, or health visitor.
Every baby is different. Some feel better after one or two sessions, while others benefit from a short course. Weâll explain everything clearly so you always feel confident and informed.
Yes. We often support mums and babies with latch pain, feeding fatigue, or tongue-tie concerns. We work closely with Polly Powell, our lactation consultant and tongue-tie practitioner, to provide joined-up care.
Yes, we offer postnatal osteopathy to support your recovery and ease tension from pregnancy, birth, or feeding.
Bring whatever helps you and your baby feel relaxed â a blanket, milk, or comforter. We have nappies, wipes, and baby-changing facilities ready if you need them.
Fees may be covered by your private insurance provider.
Aviva, Cigna, Simply Health, Vitality, WPA, BUPAÂ and AXA PPP may cover your sessions with us, but this depends on your individual policy, so be sure to always check with your insurer before contacting us.
We kindly ask you directly pay for your appointment and claim your payment back from your insurance provider. Please get in touch with your provider prior to your appointment, to confirm you are covered and check what documentation is needed to process your claim.
We are happy to provide a detailed invoice to assist with your claim.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like any further assistance with claiming Osteopathy on your insurance.
