Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is very gentle, safe and effective in the treatment of babies and children, even of those born prematurely. Osteopaths trained in the treatment of children are experienced in treating the child that will not want to lie down or is very excitable, and can treat while the child is being cradled or entertained by a parent. On average, four to six treatments are sufficient, although this varies according to the severity of the problem.

Osteopathy treats the person rather than the condition, and whatever the age of the patient, osteopathic treatment aims to work with the body's self-healing potential. This means attuning to the forces already at work within the body and supporting them, rather than making artibrary decisions about what to do to the patient or the symptoms. However, there are many problems which are unique to the young, and it may be helpful for parents to know that osteopathy can help in many conditions, including the following:

• Problems arising from premature birth
• Unsettled colicky babies, feeding difficulties, sleep problems
• Plagiocephaly (misshapen head)
• Musculoskeletal distortions such as torticollis and talipes
• Teething difficulties
• Asthma, eczema and allergies
• Glue ear and other recurrent infections
• Learning difficulties, developmental delay and behavioural problems
• Delayed speech, co-ordination problems
• Cerebral palsy