Feeding difficulties in babies can occur because of restrictions in the upper abdomen. This can include the exit valve from the stomach which is called the pylorus. The stomach can’t empty properly if the pylorus is restricted. If the stomach can’t empty properly it becomes overfull and this can lead to chronic reflux.
These restrictions can come from the baby being stuck in an awkward position in the womb or from umbilical shock, which is the trauma caused by cutting of the umbilical cord too quickly.
Restrictions formed during a difficult birth can cause a compression of the temporal bones in the skull. This restriction pattern can pinch the Vagus nerve as it leaves the skull and this can cause an over or under stimulation of the digestive system.
Birth trauma can also inhibit the child’s intestines from functioning properly. It can leave the intestines a bit like a bicycle tube that is underinflated with pockets of air, creases, tucks, and puckers. These can lead to trapped gas in the intestine and colic.
Craniosacral therapy helps to release whatever restriction patterns are causing the feeding difficulties and colic.