Craniosacral Therapy for Babies
$95 for an initial visit, $80 for follow ups
Travel fee for home visits outside of Salem
Sliding scale available for folks in need, just ask
Travel fee for home visits outside of Salem
Sliding scale available for folks in need, just ask
I had my first baby in 2002, and we had a very rough start to breastfeeding. At the time, I didn't know anything about posterior tongue tie or Craniosacral Therapy. Throughout my midwifery training, I watched babies benefit from CST, and intuitively knew that this modality would have helped my own first baby. Because there weren't many people in the area offering this service to babies, I decided to learn. I had the privilege of studying Craniosacral Therapy for Infants with Carol Gray in 2016. After my training, I offered free appointments for six months, got my hands on hundreds of babies, and saw the powerful results. I have been providing bodywork for babies in the Salem, OR area ever since. I bring a lot of experience and passion. I love this work and believe it is what I was put on this planet to do (so do the babies).
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle yet profound hands-on therapy that helps the body release restrictions that lead to pain and dysfunction. Its focus is on the craniosacral system, made up of the membranes and fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the central nervous system.
All of our parts are meant to move independently from their neighbors, and CST can help the body find its way to normal mobility and optimal function.
What does a session look like?
On your first visit, I will ask questions about your pregnancy, birth, and your baby's symptoms and habits. I will observe your baby and make visual assessments on symmetry, mobility, and patterns. The hands-on portion will take place in my lap or yours, usually a combination. My assessments will help me find restrictions in your baby's body, and I will treat them using gentle manipulations. The touch I use is subtle. Often, observing a breastfeeding session can be a helpful assessment tool, and I can usually work on baby at the breast if that is what they are needing.
Most babies find CST to be deeply relaxing, and often fall asleep during a treatment. Less often, a baby will be fussy during the treatment. I always listen to the babies, and work within their comfort zone.
You can plan on the session lasting about an hour.
Who can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy?
Birth is a big event for a baby's head and body. I recommend an assessment for all babies within the first week of life to encourage resolution of normal head molding and cranial overlapping. My ideal timing is day 3-5, or sooner if baby seems to be in pain. All babies can benefit from CST, as it supports optimal functioning of the nervous system.
CST can be especially helpful for babies with feeding issues (shallow latch, preferring one side, tight jaw), digestive issues (reflux, spitting up, infrequent bowel movements), colic, torticollis, general discomfort, misshapen heads, and more. It is often recommended for babies who are healing from a frenotomy (tongue tie release), or for babies who have been diagnosed as tongue- or lip-tied.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle yet profound hands-on therapy that helps the body release restrictions that lead to pain and dysfunction. Its focus is on the craniosacral system, made up of the membranes and fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the central nervous system.
All of our parts are meant to move independently from their neighbors, and CST can help the body find its way to normal mobility and optimal function.
What does a session look like?
On your first visit, I will ask questions about your pregnancy, birth, and your baby's symptoms and habits. I will observe your baby and make visual assessments on symmetry, mobility, and patterns. The hands-on portion will take place in my lap or yours, usually a combination. My assessments will help me find restrictions in your baby's body, and I will treat them using gentle manipulations. The touch I use is subtle. Often, observing a breastfeeding session can be a helpful assessment tool, and I can usually work on baby at the breast if that is what they are needing.
Most babies find CST to be deeply relaxing, and often fall asleep during a treatment. Less often, a baby will be fussy during the treatment. I always listen to the babies, and work within their comfort zone.
You can plan on the session lasting about an hour.
Who can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy?
Birth is a big event for a baby's head and body. I recommend an assessment for all babies within the first week of life to encourage resolution of normal head molding and cranial overlapping. My ideal timing is day 3-5, or sooner if baby seems to be in pain. All babies can benefit from CST, as it supports optimal functioning of the nervous system.
CST can be especially helpful for babies with feeding issues (shallow latch, preferring one side, tight jaw), digestive issues (reflux, spitting up, infrequent bowel movements), colic, torticollis, general discomfort, misshapen heads, and more. It is often recommended for babies who are healing from a frenotomy (tongue tie release), or for babies who have been diagnosed as tongue- or lip-tied.
Testimonials
Jen saved my breastfeeding journey. After multiple lactation consultants and a pediatrician telling me that nothing was wrong with my baby's latch, a friend referred me to Jen for craniosacral therapy. She was so very gentle with my baby and me. She suspected my baby had a tongue tie and referred us to an ENT. We noticed the first night after seeing Jen, that baby was able to turn her head more freely, and after the tongue tie was revised, my baby was able to latch without any pain. We continued to make the hour drive to see Jen once a week for craniosacral therapy. I will forever credit Jen with saving my sanity during those first few months. As a first time mama, hearing that I wasn't producing enough milk, that my baby was a lazy nurser and that nothing was wrong, my postpartum depression was the highest when I got to Jen. Without Jen's support, I would have given up breastfeeding my baby. I'm currently 15 months postpartum, happy, healthy and still breastfeeding my baby." ~ Eva
"Jen has helped my baby so much! My daughter has had trouble nursing, reflux, digestive issues, torticollis, & started life very fussy, colicky, and in a lot of discomfort for many hours of the day and night. She's worked on her every few weeks since birth (she is 8 weeks now). I feel like I have such a different, happy baby. The improvement has been AMAZING! My daughter is eliminating daily now, she no longer is fussing and uncomfortable for long stretches, I can set her down to play, on a flat surface, she is able to lay on her tummy without it hurting and for long stretches, her reflux is so much better! She can turn her head easily to both sides, and does it on her own. Nursing is going well. My daughter had a tongue tie release, and CST has allowed her to release so much tension in her jaw. She truly is a different baby. If your baby has any of these issues please consider Jen for cranio sacral therapy, there is help. I can't say enough good things about our experience & results!" ~ Nicole
"I have been trying to breastfeed for 2 months already and after getting treatment he has latched on about 4 times already for 15 mins each." ~ Iris
"Background - memory jog. Stuck in the birth canal turned head facing right inside of me causing H to have difficulties in turning left and feeding on the right breast. Results - immediate results. H was able to feed easier on the right breast. He is now looking in both directions. I'm really excited to continue on the path to helping H." ~ Lana
"Let me tell you, this woman isn't a saint, she's an angel... I felt heard, validated, and even loved, as a mother, woman, and human. Jen is just a wonderful and caring soul... She asked for permission before doing anything, making sure as the mom, I was comfortable (sticking her index finger in C's mouth to feel palate shape, for example). If C fussed, Jen would back off. She listened and watched C for response- both positive and negative... Jen is just a wonderful whole health advocate, a wealth of knowledge, and so sweet and gentle with babies and mamas." ~ Kate