What effect does retained moulding have on the baby?

Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe moulding and compression, and are contented and happy.  For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems:

Crying, Irritable baby

Crying, fractious, irritable baby, needs to be rocked to sleep.  Prefers to be carried.

Reason: The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head.  This made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.

Feeding difficulties

Baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next.  He/she may be a “windy” feeder.

Reason: Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat.  The nerves to the tongue may be irritated as they exit from the skull, which makes sucking difficult.

Sickness, Colic and Wind

Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind.  Often worse in the evening.

Reason: The nerve to the stomach is irritated as it exits from the base of the skull, which impairs digestion.  The diaphragm may be stressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents.

Sleep disturbances

Baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night). Wakes to the slightest noise.

Reason: The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby’s nervous system in a persistently alert state.

As the child grows

As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding can lead to other problems.  The following are the most common, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.

Infections

A retained moulding and birth stress take its toll on the body’s reserves, and also depletes the immune system.  This leaves children more vulnerable to all types of infection.

Ear infections

Recurrent ear infections, gradually becoming more frequent. Loss of hearing, leads to “glue ear”.

Reason: Retained birth compression within and around the bones of the ear impedes fluid drainage from the ear, causes poor development of the air sinuses in the ear, and partial or complete blocking of the Eustachian tube.

Infections never fully clear, leaving a vulnerability to the next infection and a depleted immune system.

Sinuses and dental problems

Persistent mouth breathers.  Constantly blocked or runny nose.  Later, this increases the chance of dental overcrowding.

Reason: Impaired growth and drainage of the sinuses and bones of the face due to retained moulding compression.

Behavioural problems and learning difficulties

Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity. “Butterfly” type of child who flits from one thing to the next.

Reason: Continuation of the restlessness as a young baby.  Retained moulding compression makes them uncomfortable in one position for too long – which becomes habit forming.  Severe compression can modify normal patterns of learning in the brain.

Headaches, aches and pains

Headaches begin age 7-8. Growing pains.  Vulnerability to sprains or other aches and pains.

Reason: Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull, as the bony joints (sutures) of the skull form at around the age of 7-8 years. Postural tensions making other areas of the body more vulnerable to strain and fatigue.

Asthma

Vulnerability to chest infections. Aggravation of all degrees of asthma from mild to severe.

Reason: Retained moulding compression can aggravate a tendency to asthma.  General lowered immunity leads to more chest infections.  After infections, the chest remains tense and the ribs do not return to full function, aggravating an asthmatic tendency.  Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help to improve chest function often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.