Acupuncture for Babies and Toddlers
Are you wondering how I treat little babies and active or shy toddlers. Here I explain my approach to treating my little patients and how I can help.
In adult patients I can ask questions, take pulses and look at tongues without them wriggling around! I also use mostly needles and then leave my patient to relax quietly for 20 mins. This is not how I treat babies and toddlers.
To start with, a parent or caregiver will be sharing the health concerns and I will be asking questions either by phone before an appointment or in the first visit.
My inital appointments are an hour although the treatment can take only a few minutes. There is time for the parent/carer and baby to settle into my space and feel comfortable with me. The baby may need feeding, changing or waking up from a sleep, toddlers like exploring the room and the toy basket! We have time to chat and for me to make my observations and diagnosis. In my experience allowing time to gain a connection with my little patients creates a more receptive and effective treatment.
Making a diagnosis and treatment plan is done by observations rather than tongue reading and pulse taking. I am assessing the Qi (energy) and can do this by listening to the cry of the baby, looking at the complexion or skin colorations. Is there any redness, rash, pale skin. Are there any obvious blue veins on the face or head. Is the baby moving or wriggling alot or very still. What is the temperature of the skin to touch, is the belly full and distended or soft.
The symptoms and my observations are like pieces of a jigsaw that I put together, once the overall picture has appeared to me I know how best to treat and how I can help.
Treatment
I tend to not use any acupuncture needles under the age of three to four months. After then it is also not necessary or required, occasionally parents prefer no needles at all which I am fine with. Sometimes a child can sit on the couch or chair with a parent or I just maneuver around the child. Sitting still is not always going to work!
If I do use needles they are not retained and mostly only only one or two are applied. I use sterile very fine and good quality small needles for babies and toddlers. I will rub the skin then insert quickly and very slightly into the skin then take out. Mostly they feel nothing, I have some super skills here!
Other non needle techniques used alone or combined.
Shonshin "Childrens Acupuncture"
This is a Japanese style developed to use small metal instruments or tools. These are used to rub and tap the surface of the skin along channels and on points. Nothing is inserted into the skin. It is very calming for babies and some of the techniques can be taught to parents/carers to do at home.
Tui Na - Paediatric Chinese Medical Massage
Kneeding, rubbing or tapping on parts of the body, channels and points to stimulate and effect the Qi. These are very effective and also can be taught to parents/carers to do at home.
Moxibustion
Moxa is the use of Mogwort which is a herb dried and used for its healing and warming qualities. It can be in loose form or in a stick form. If required for babies and toddlers I would use in a stick form, light it (it looks like a cigar) and waft over the area I needed to treat without touching the skin.
Press tacks and seeds
These are small metal balls or the tiniest of metal pin covered with a small plaster adhesion. If used they are palced on Acupuncture points that would then stay on for a short time post treatment. They are not felt by the baby.
What I commonly treat
Skin rashes in newborns
New born babies are transitioning from the womb to the world. For nine months they have absorbed everything from the mother. In the inital few months babies go through a clearing process as they come into their own beings. This means they can throw off anything that does not belong to them or needed. This presents mostly as rashes on the skin and is a very normal process. Treatment can help the baby clear these out of their system.
Heat and fevers
For a couple of years infants will go through developmental stages that are often preceded by a stirring and clearing phase. This will present with mostly heat symptoms like fevers with no illness and skin rashes. In Chinese Medicine this is referred to 'Steamings and Transformations" and is like a right of passage into a healthy childhood. Treatment during this time can support what is a normal process of development and address any symptoms that are causing discomfort or distress.
Digestion
For babies and infants it is all about eating and pooing. The whole digestive system is new and constantly developing. Breast feeding concerns, transitions from breast milk to formula and introducing foods can be a cause of disruption. Treatment can help support the digestive system regulate and settle.
Skin conditions and eczema
Very common in babies and toddlers with the causes and triggers being many and varied. Treatment can help clear the rash, itch, sores and strengthen the constitution of the child to prevent their reactions to triggers.
Colic
An unsettled baby crying alot in a healthy baby can be exhausting and emotional for all involved. Treatment can help correct the imbalances causing this.
Tongue tie
The frenulum is a muscle and when short or tight the baby cannot move its tongue well for feeding. Along with Lactation support Acupuncture treatment can help relax the muscles of the mouth, loosen the frenulum and get the tongue moving and then the baby can feed well. Acupressure can be taught to a parent to continue treatment at home.
Sleep
This can be from many factors and often a great challenge for parents to work through especially when all are sleep deprived. Treatment for this can help with settling any imbalances that may be contributing.
Colds and viruses
Infections new or recurrent of the lungs, congestion in nose or ears, fevers, repeated need for antibiotics. Treatment is useful at any stage of infections to strengthen the lungs and immune system and clear excess phlegm/snots.
Vitality
Nourishing and stregthening pre term babies, supporting growth and developmental milestones in babies and toddlers.
Booking
I have always adopted an integrative approach to healthcare. For many illnesses and health concerns a GP, maternal health nurse or paediatrician is advised. For many conditions where medical treatment is not necessary or recommended yet there is still a concern with your child Acupuncture can offer a safe and effective alternative or work alongside other therapies or treatments.
Please contact me if you have concerns other than what you see on this page as I may be able to help.
I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation before booking to answer any questions you have or discuss your baby or toddlers health concerns.
I am an AHPRA Registered Acupuncturist with 20 years clinical experience. I have completed further training in Paediatric Aupuncture in my earlier carreer and more extensively in the past three years.