2.

Professional Baby Whisperer

Every single person on this earth has experienced birth; the one commonality we all share.

Babies are my favourite client by far- they are my greatest teachers. Babies have a unique way of communicating with you when you pay attention. Eye contact, crying, body language. They are watching and listening to everything so pay attention.

In my world, babies communicate with me by sharing through me. Images, sometimes like a movie playing out, other times just talking to me telling me their "problems", some have big stories to tell, others are quiet and take in the world. I know that this sounds totally bizzare and hard to believe, but that doesn't make this statement any less true. It is a rare gift to have this insight. A weird, but effective gift.

Parents share the delivery as a "mom"/ "surrogate" story as part of their intake process. How long their labour was, how the baby was delivered and I've learned through working with hundreds of families that their story doesn't always match the baby's story. I start that conversation with the baby after hearing parent share the details "How was the delivery for you"? it is sometimes met with "shock" and for a moment I wonder if we forget that baby was and is present for these moments.

Some babies want me to communicate their story to their parents; others want to keep it a "secret" between us. I often have to explain to babies that parents are just doing the best they can with what they know and educating parents how to communicate to babies is a big part of this journey in sharing knowledge. Babies are listening to EVERYTHING, they understand more than we give them credit for, and as they grow and develop some things are confusing to them and would just like an explanation why something is going on or will happen.

Babies love to share the stories of their delivery, their NICU stay, share how something happening during pregnancy, couldn't get in the right position for delivery, some just share their areas of concern, others show me and tell me about their "noisy" siblings, or share their LOVE for their families, bedrooms are a common theme -a noise in the night, a scary shadow etc.

Now to address WHY they are in my office and how CST helps baby and family.

9/10 times it is for birth trauma a/o feeding issues.

When babies and a "mom"/ "surrogate" have a fast, long, assisted delivery; handling of the baby, there has been a force added to the baby. Force that was often necessary to squeeze baby through the birth canal or through C-Section; but has left a tissue trauma behind. Misshapen heads, bruising, short rapid breathing, trouble feeding, crying, cannot lay baby down, gassy infants, etc are all a few examples of what I see daily and are examples of birth trauma. What this trauma has left behind in the tissue has altered the body's ability to move with ease; how able we are to handle tissue trauma dictates many things moving forward. Is this a small thing that we can overcome? OR is this the catalyst that will show up in other areas of my life? A baby presents with issues feeding, sleeping, pooping and crying/calm times. We have normalised having a fussy baby; and my biggest secret is that this is a QUICK fix with a wellness professional. I create a neutral space for families so I am the whisperer to their little ones. I am able see through the trauma, feel the change in the tissue by listening deeply and provide the space for the body to move or allow them in that time and space.

Just a little note to add, there are many modalities, Not just CST, but other professions like Chiropractic, OT, PT Bowen Therapy, Physiokey that can be and are effective in healing tissue trauma.

As with anything if you have concerns, speak with your family doctor, midwife or lactation consultant.