I had a long labour and DS was a forceps delivery in the end after 2 hours of pushing and I couldn't get him past my tailbone. He had a massive cone head for a day or so but that went away and I didn't think anything more of it until I was reading a Gymbaroo magazine that talked about how babies who were reluctant to roll (among other things) could benefit from osteopathic treatment.

I had been getting slightly concerned because at 5 months he seemed very reluctant to roll over. I knew he could do it - he rolled maybe once a week - but he really seemed to be resisting. He would almost roll all the way over to reach a toy and then all the way back and he would cry a bit if we helped him the rest of the way. I immediately thought about his birth and decided he would benefit from an "iron out" as it were, if nothing else.

The osteopath found that he had some compacted bones on the right side of his head which was referring tension down to his pelvis, which meant that he was probably in a bit of pain when he rolled over. She also asked if he seemed to prefer being held upright - and yes he had, right from birth he would squawk if he was held in a lying down/cradle position for too long, he liked to be up on our shoulder.

Well the results were instant. I brought him home after the first treatment and he rolled over 3 times that very afternoon. I took him back a month later for a follow up and I just need one more treatment to ensure all is okay - apparently the compacted bones could lead to problems like glue ear when he is older, if not fixed.

It is weird though - she was so gentle with him, it really looked like she was doing nothing at all except for the look of concentration on her face. I was wondering if it was all quackery until I got home and he rolled over.

So it may be worth investigating.