Your baby’s first breathing experiences set a lifelong template for how her breathing rhythms will function during times of comfort and of challenge. Ease in breathing in all conditions underlies your child’s ability to calm herself and to foster attention.

Breathing afresh

Freshly arrived in the world of air, your newborn establishes his life-sustaining, easy rhythms of breathing with your help. Your baby may have breathing challenges if his birth has been intense, or had other difficult conditions. If your baby’s breathing usually sounds congested or noisy, her sinuses passages may be compressed. Over the long term compromised breathing can result in developmental impacts and delay. I can help with craniosacral therapy that releases restrictions around breathing.

Normal newborn

A typical newborn’s breathing rhythms are not regular or modulated. Your newborn depends on being held to stabilize her breath. Her breath settles into rhythm and modulation as she is buoyed up in arms with the rhythm of your breath. You and your partner establish the rhythm of breath as a template for relationship, emotional balance and attention asset.

Breathing challenges

When your baby has had difficulty with breathing, his survival responses are triggered. Although basic breathing function may be established, stress or trauma may continue and restrict breathing. For example, your child’s ribs may be tight and not move freely. Breathing may be shallow or labored. Your child may hold his breath, or have apnea.

When a baby’s breathing rhythms are imprinted with trauma or shock, the nervous system may be so overwhelmed that your child is not able to fully receive your most loving embrace. Your child may have prolonged periods of distress, inconsolable crying, slump into passivity or bonding and attachment issues.

Craniosacral therapy, including oral-facial therapy and myofascial toning, can release holding patterns in your baby’s body and emotions to establish ease in breathing.

Developmental impacts

If your child experienced early trauma that was not yet resolved, as he grows his systems may prioritize safety over development. Your child may have uneven development, in any arena, including language, social/emotional, movement milestones and coordination. Or your child may experience pervasive developmental delay.

Developmental movement therapy, in conjunction with craniosacral therapy, can support your child in restoring safety, then awakening the inner drivers that move development along.

Somatic therapies and education

I provide gentle, effective hands-on somatic therapies and guide your child in playful developmental movements, which can help children who had a difficult start at any age. With articles you can help your baby with body-mind integration from the beginning.

What to expect in a session for your baby  

Essential wellness for mother and child  

Body-mind integration from the beginning