Osteo trial to settle crying babies

EUREKA Osteo is participating in a research program aimed at treating colicky babies.

Dr Megan May said the clinic is seeking infants between one and 10 weeks old, who are often unsettled and cry a lot, to be part of the Crying Unsettled disTressed Infants Effectiveness Study.

Within the ‘CUTIES trial,’ each baby will receive free osteo treatment.

“The criteria for this study is a baby that cries for more than three hours per day, three days per week,” she said.

“Colic is a vague word to describe this. It’s crying that is inconsolable, so they’re not okay after a feed, or after they’ve been picked up; they’re really hard to settle.

“Although babies might cry for two hours a day, and that’s stressful for parents, that’s within the spectrum of normal newborn behaviour.”

Dr May said global research has discovered crying “has tapered off” by the time a baby is three to four months of age, whether they have been breast-fed or formula-fed, are co-sleeping or not.

“That’s why we’re trying to see babies that are newborn and under 10 weeks of age when we meet them.

“We don’t really know what causes colic, whether it’s anything to do with musculoskeletal issues, nervous system issues, digestive issues… There’s heaps of remedies that people have used for decades, but most don’t really have evidence,” she said.

“In this randomised controlled trial, parents keep a crying diary, so we can see whether all types of hands-on treatments are giving babies some relief, or none, or whether osteo treatment specifically is resulting in decreased crying time.”

Dr May would like to see at least 20 babies over the next couple of months, not only seeking a successful treatment, but helping parents “set realistic expectations” about newborn behaviour, and develop strategies that work for their child and family.

“When a baby presents to us, our job is to discover any feeding issues, if the baby is generally well and healthy, putting on weight, has any musculoskeletal issues, if anything happened in the birth that needs to be checked, and generally screen development, reflexes, and for hip dysplasia.

“The parents and the babies will receive a full osteopathic examination, and all of the same advice and education, no matter which treatment arm they’re in, whether generalised light touch, or osteopathic treatment,” she said.

“If a baby is stressed, their central nervous system might be in a fight or flight zone, so anything that helps them rest and digest, and get system to calm down is going to be helpful.”

Many osteopaths nationally, and within the United Kingdom and Switzerland, are contributing to the CUTIES trial to see whether the scope of osteopathic treatment – typically musculoskeletal – could be broadened.

Any parents that think their baby may be suitable are encouraged to contact [email protected] or call 5333 2232.

To understand more about infant crying behaviours, visit purplecrying.info. If you are concerned, speak to your GP or maternal child health nurse.