Newborns need to suck, swallow, and breathe well to thrive. An acceptable suck-swallow-breathe coordinating ratio is 1:1:1 or 2:1:1. Poor nursing babies may have compensating patterns. For example, an infant may have 3-4 sucks while holding her/his breath, swallow, and then breathe 2-3 times.
A proper suck requires the tongue to lift up and squeeze the nipple against the hard palate. This tongue action continually widens the palate and face to ensure better speech and jaw, arch and tooth position later in life. Even though tongue and lip ties may inhibit this process, the solution for many babies is more complex than simply oral revisions.
The nervous system, especially the cranial nerves, needs to function optimally. As the brain cycle opens to 200 seconds with Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy, the cranial nerves have minimal or no pressure passing through their osseous foramina. The central and autonomic nervous systems have the complete freedom to function well.
In addition, the fascial web needs to be free for the delicate structures in the oropharynx to function correctly. This fascial concept is generally unknown in the pediatric medical world. Clinically, the fascia in the tongue is especially vulnerable from neck birth trauma, while fascia from the lower body may also strain into the oral tissues. Gillespie Approach CFT allows the entire craniosacral fascial system optimal function at birth.
Your untreated neonate can “successfully” pass through the lactation, speech, and orthodontic professions, and still contract sleep apnea as an adult. We firmly believe that prevention is the key where CFT mitigates the affects of soft tissue birth trauma as much as possible during the first day of life.
Your baby can then leave the hospital breathing well, nursing well, digesting well, pooping well, and napping well. The brain and spinal cord can also be at optimal neurophysiology with a long brain cycle. This total package, a powerful concept for well-being, is the perfect gift for every newborn worldwide.
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Foundation Trainings
Gillespie Approach Foundation Training is designed for students to work with children and adults.
2026 Dates:
- January 22–24 | Melbourne, FL
- March 19–21 | Greenville, SC
- May 14–16 | Westfield, IN
- June 25–27 | Bozeman, MT
- August 6–8 | Boise, ID
- October 1–3 | Olathe, KS
- November 9–11 | Newtown Square, PA
- November 12–14 | Newtown Square, PA
Infant Trainings
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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