BOOK NOW

Settling an unsettled baby – what may be wrong

Settling an unsettled baby

Chiropractor Nisha Saran

By chiropractor – and mum – Nisha Saran

How do I get my baby to settle is a common conversation between new mums. There is nothing more stressful than an unsettled baby and you just don’t know why.

It may be that your baby isn’t sleeping for long. Or that you are having problems feeding.

It’s natural for you to feel the pressure

When my daughter was born, she struggled to latch on to feed – I was getting so stressed. She was a forceps delivery, the result of which had affected her jaw.

Despite my professional experience and being able to resolve the problem, I was still a new mum trying to work it all out, and the emotional pressure you feel is enormous.

What may be happening

settling an unsettled babyIf your baby is unsettled, first, keep in mind that crying is normal for a baby. It’s unlikely that you are doing anything wrong, your maternal intuition will lead you. But when you’ve ensured their basic needs are taken care of and they still refuse to sleep, feed or settle – what do you do next?

Pain or discomfort can be reasons for a baby to cry. It may be that your baby cries more in a particular position – for example lying down on their back, but when held upright they don’t cry as much.

Signs that your baby may be uncomfortable can be:
  • Excessive crying times
  • Increased crying in certain positions
  • Constant movement and wriggling around
  • Preference to feeding from one breast
  • Difficulty in latching to the breast
  • Difficulty in maintaining a feed long enough to be satisfied

 

All of these signs can be related to tension, discomfort or pain that a baby feels somewhere in their body. Some reasons may be attributed to uncomfortable positioning in the womb or trauma during the birth process – especially if interventions such as forceps were necessary as was the case with my baby.

For my daughter, very gentle chiropractic techniques focused on the spine and the bones of the cranium. This helped release tension and she settled more easily.

What may work

There is a lot of advice available from your midwife or post-natal groups. And mum-to-mum recommendations are always a great source.

My main point is that if your baby is unsettled please don’t suffer unnecessarily – share your experience and seek help – you are not alone.

Should you wish to have an appointment with me then please call our friendly reception team who will be happy to help 020 8943 2424.

The Waldegrave Clinic is a multi-disciplinary practice that offers chiropractic, physiotherapy, podiatry, massage and a range of complementary therapies.

You may also be interested in these blog posts:

Related Posts

Meet the Chiropractor – Ben Jones

What led you to become a chiropractor? Growing up I often attended the local chiropractor when my father had back pain. I was amazed at how he was able to help people in pain and instantly fell in love with the profession. Unfortunately, I had my own experience of...

read more

Meet the Massage Therapist – Joanne Grinbergs

What led you into wanting to become a massage therapist? I worked for a long time at The Body Shop: for a few years I was the Community Projects Coordinator and Company Trainer.  I set up various projects in and around London for the staff to volunteer at. One of them...

read more

Covid Lockdown Update – we remain open

UPDATE 4th January 2021 We are open The Waldegrave Clinic are classified as medical services.  We therefore remain open (except for massage and Pilates) and look forward to welcoming you at the clinic as usual despite the new lockdown restrictions. Keeping our...

read more

How To Book

If you’re ready to book just click below to book online easily, or if you have any questions prior to booking we can be reached on 020 8943 2424 from 8am – 7:30pm Weekdays & 8am – 1:30pm on Saturdays.

Quality Assured.

The Waldegrave Clinic has been awarded the coveted Patient Partnership Quality Mark AND Clinical Management Quality Mark in recognition of our superb clinical standards.

Our practice is one of the few clinics nationally that has been awarded both the Patient Partnership Quality Mark and a research status award in recognition of our superb clinical standards. Our high level of expertise is matched with an excellent range of facilities including Shockwave therapy, rehabilitation gym and private changing rooms.

ppqm-2018-2020-4800px
cmqm-2018-2020-4800px