Stage F Flashcards
Name the fontanelles that are present in a new born baby and give the approximate age of closure? (APAP)
6 in total
Anterior Fontanelle (Bregma) - 1.5 - 2 years
Posterior Fontanelle (Lamba) - 3 months
x 2 Antero-Lateral Fontanelle (Pterion) - 3 months
x 2 Postero-Lateral Fontanelle (Asterion) - 1 year
How does an occiput of a newborn differ from that of an adult and what age is it considered to be completely fused (a diagram may be helpful)?
Newborn occiput is in 4 portions separated by cartilage.
Gradually fuses over first 6 years
Squamous portion - posteriorly
Basilar portion (basi occiput) - anteriorly
2 x Condylar portions - laterally
Condylar-squamous portions fuse - by 3 years
Condylar-basilar portions fuse - by 6 years
Cartilaginous areas are less able to self correct than membranous structures
All areas of incomplete ossification are sites for possible distortion.
The middle of the occiput forms the Foramen Magnum.
How does the Sphenoid of a baby differ from that of an adult?
Sphenoid of a baby is in three parts:
- Central body & Lesser wings
- Right Greater Wing & Pterygoid Plates
- Left Greater Wing & Pterygoid Plates
3 parts unite within first few months of birth
Pterygoid plates are usually short at birth - sucking motion during feeding that causes them to lengthen
From what age is it possible to treat a baby?
From conception
What is a Ventouse birth?
When a suction cup (ventouse) is placed on the babies head to assist during delivery (less evasive than forceps)
Why is early treatment of birth trauma recommended?
Essential to enable complete resolution and recovery from birth trauma.
Important to treat before bones fuse so patterns can be released.
Occipital bone fuses between age 3 and 6 / Temporal and Sphenoid bones fuse before 1 year old.
To ensure Foramen Magnum does not getting impinged and affecting the spinal cord and brainstem.
Compressive and rotational forces in the cranium from the birth becomes deeply embedded from the cranium down the vertebral column to the pelvis and sets up patterns for life.
Support healthy CSF flow through foramen magnum.
Shock from a traumatic birth imprints into the tissues and sets up an early pattern about how the person handles episodes of stress and shock. Early cord clamping imposes shock.
Early release will support healthy growth and development.
Early release supports better bonding, sleep, feeding and digestion.
Early release helps to prevent common childhood conditions such as asthma; allergies; ear infections; colic; reflux.
Early release supports optimal immune functions and a happy childhood.
What is Pyloric Stenosis?
Narrowing, constriction, blockage of the pyloric muscle between the pylorus of the stomach and the duodenum (1st part of large intestine).
Awareness of condition affecting baby between birth and 6 months.
Causes forceful vomiting of undigested milk and dehydration.
Affects lower part of stomach and is a passageway between the stomach and small intestine - the pylorus.
The pyloric sphincter becomes narrow and stops milk passing through to the stomach to be digested.
How would you treat Pyloric Stenosis?
Awareness of condition affecting baby between birth and 6 months.
Thickened pylorus muscle can be felt during feeding as a small hard lump on the right side of the stomach.
Release shock and trauma held in the system -
working with the emotional centres - solar and coeliac plexus.
Superior cervical sympathetic chain and sub-occiput to release the JF to support proper functioning of the vagus nerve.
Describe how you would release the sub-occiput in a newborn baby?
Soft flat fingers under the occiput
Crown-Cranial Base contact
Occipital Condyle contact - higher on the occiput
Treat the whole system
How would you approach the treatment of a baby with colic?
Get a sense of overall shock and sympathetic over stimulation in the system
Identify fulcrums
Work with sympathetic plexi - coeliac plexus and cardiac plexus.
Treat the whole system
Sub-occipital release to release any restrictions in Jugular Foramen to release Vagus Nerve
Sacrum
Emotional qualities in system
Family field and life in relation to baby
Diet/allergies re mum
What specific focal point would you expect to find with a baby with colic?
Tight, contracted and overstimulated in the solar plexus area
Overstimulated ANS
In what ways might you address a situation in which a baby does not wish to stay still and settle into the treatment?
Mother holds the baby
Mother feeds the baby
Treat the mother at the same time - work with the energetic field - if mum relaxes - baby relaxes
Treat when asleep - if possible
Engage with the baby - mirroring
Allow baby to lead treatment
How would you work with a young child that doesn’t want to stay still and settle into a treatment?
toys, books, audio CDs…
allow system to come to you
work off the body
observe breathing and changes in QSM
gently introduce contact on the body
Give two important pieces of advice to a new mother with her new baby (with regard to herself rather than the baby)
self care - nourish self
rest and recuperation
get practical help and support
have your own cranio sacral treatments
