What does therapy “at birth" look like in my perfect world?
There are no hard and fast rules around the timing of newborn therapy. All parents see this differently and are in total control of their child's health. But please consider this thought:
Most people look at newborn therapy from an adult perspective. Few focus on what the voiceless and powerless newborn might need. If I were entering the world today, my evaluation and therapy plan would revolve around mitigating the emotional and physical pain of my traumatic birth as soon as possible.
I want the one- and five-minute APGAR scores. If I am in a life-and-death situation, please medically help me. Then I would like the Baby Brain Score. If I have a good high score, I want immediate bonding time with mom.
If I have a lower score indicating craniosacral fascial tightness, please give me a session on mom’s skin and then bonding time. If I am crying, no worries because I am releasing my emotional traumas.
I want providers to listen to my body and work on me every hour, incorporated with breastfeeding, bonding, and resting time. I want to become strain-free to mitigate future gas, indigestion, reflux, colic, and constipation issues. If I am having trouble breastfeeding, I want a skilled IBCLC to check for oral ties.
If I am in a non-hospital setting, I want as much therapy as possible. The advantage of a hospital birth, where 99% of America’s infants are now born, is that, someday, 24-hour therapeutic coverage will be available.
By the second day, I want to be breathing well, breastfeeding well, digesting well, pooping well, napping well and be as strain-free as possible. If more strain shows up later, I will deal with it then. For now, I just want to hang out with mom.
Parents have to decide the best course of action for their vulnerable newborn. Gillespie Approach Training is a must for all neonatal providers.
