A mother understood the value of having her newborn checked early after I had seen her last child as an older infant. I saw her 16-day-old newborn who was having some gas, hiccups, reflux, burping difficulty, and was generally uncomfortable.
The pregnancy was uneventful and labor and delivery lasted about three hours. The doctor mentioned that the cord was wrapped, but she assured the mother that this was not a problem.
Mom was concerned that her baby’s face was blue, but the doctor reassured her that she was just bruised. Mom was confused because her face cleared after fifteen minutes.
So much can be done at the beginning to prevent a possible lifetime of issues. The cord wrapped and turning blue are huge red flags to indicate potential throat fascial strain and the need for the Gillespie Approach at birth.
On my examination the baby had a zero-second brain cycle. This can first spell sleep issues and later cognitive problems. The gastrointestinal fascia was very tight, so I would expect the digestive issues to continue in time.
Her diaphragm was tight, explaining the reflux, hiccups, and burping difficulty. The tightness in her throat and neck from the umbilical cord could portend a list of future difficult conditions.
I explained to mom how pleased I was that she brought her newborn in for a checkup. The effects of these birth injuries can be mitigated more easily now while the traumas are fresh.
As time passes, the problems can become more complex. I explained to her that the best possible scenario would have been for her to have been checked right at birth and then have had therapy hourly for the first 24 hours, as needed, in the hospital.
The family would have never known what was coming down the road for their child. Breathing, breastfeeding, digesting, pooping, and napping well are the hallmarks of the Gillespie Approach at birth. Gillespie Approach Training is a must for all neonatal providers.
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Gillespie Approach Foundation Training is designed for students to work with children and adults.
2026 Dates:
- January 22–24 | Melbourne, FL
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- May 14–16 | Westfield, IN
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- November 9–11 | Newtown Square, PA
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Gillespie Approach Infant Training is designed for students to work with infants.
2026 Dates:
- January 25–27 | Melbourne, FL
- March 22–24 | Greenville, SC
- May 17–19 | Westfield, IN
- June 28–30 | Bozeman, MT
- August 9–11 | Boise, ID
- October 4–6 | Olathe, KS
- November 15–17 | Newtown Square, PA
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