For. Maya, Gaia & Jacob

For
Maya, Gaia & Jacob

Contents
1. Becoming Mum 1
2. Case Study 3
3. The Nervous System 6
4. The Nervous System In Babies 8
5. Polyvagal Theory 9
6. How To Help Your Baby’s Vagal Tone Develop 11
7. Birth 14
Vaginal Birth 14
C-section Deliveries 15
8. Infant Colic 17
9. Digestion 19
10. Breathing & Airways 20
11. Muscular Tension 22
12. Anxiety, Stress and Sleep Issues 23
13. Umbilical Shock & Colic 23
14. Treating Colic 25
15. Baby Bowen 27
16. The Bowen Move 32
17. Baby Bowen: Part 1 34
18. Baby Bowen: Part 2 40
19. Treatment Guide 44
20. Baby Bowen Case Studies 45
Summary 47
Preface
I first came across the Bowen Technique whilst training as a medical student. Coming from a
very scientific background (Bioengineering), I was extremely skeptical about this method of
treatment. I was persuaded to attend an introductory session by a close friend who had tried
the Bowen Technique for sciatic pain and had been raving about the results ever since.
Needless to say, after my first session I was hooked! I had never before experienced such a
gentle treatment that did so much yet felt like so little. The ‘less is more’ rule definitely
applies to Bowen.
After qualifying as a Bowen practitioner and treating patients during my medical training as
well as privately, I was even more convinced of the benefits of this therapy. I could elaborate
on this for ages but what really amazes me is the simplicity and gentleness of the moves
involved.
The positive results from my treatments and the ability to empower Mums to treat their
babies inspired me to write Baby Bowen. There are so many mothers who are so frustrated
because they just do not know what to do for their baby. And it is purely to all these Mums
who decided to give Baby Bowen a try that I owe this to. So, Thank You.
I began teaching patients and their spouses these subtle, gentle moves which they could use to
treat their babies. The results were incredibly positive and satisfying. I then started putting
together a step-by- step guide to help them remember the moves and Baby Bowen was born.
My aim is to provide you or your spouse/partner/friend with a tool to relieve your baby’s
discomfort and make motherhood even more enjoyable.
Thank you for choosing this guide.
I hope it will prove to be a dependable companion throughout motherhood.
Warmest Wishes,
Dr. Carolyn Goh

(BEng., MSc.,DIC, PhD., MBBS., BTER)
How To Use This Book
This step-by-step guide complete with videos, will teach you how to treat your baby using the
Bowen Technique. It will NOT turn you into a Bowen practitioner but aims to serve as a self-
help guide to relieving discomfort in babies as well as promoting their health, well-being and
development.
The Bowen Technique is a very safe and gentle technique that is even used on the elderly and
very ill. However, I urge you to stick to the guidelines set out here and always remember to
maintain respect for the human body. Less is more!
Before moving on to the treatment itself, it is important to understand how your baby’s
nervous system develops and what can be done to aid in the development. As a Mum, I do
understand how difficult it can be to find the time to read through chapters. If you are short of
time, my advice is to read the summaries and ‘boxed points’ in each chapter before moving
on to treating your baby.
The Bowen Move is the first set of step-by-step instructions. Read through the instructions
and watch the video. Once you are comfortable with the move, move on to the Baby Bowen
procedure itself.
Read through the instructions and watch the videos for Part 1 and 2 of Baby Bowen. Then,
practise the moves on a doll or pillow. Once you are confident, treat your baby.
If you are unsure, do email me with any questions you may have. I always aim to respond to
emails within 48 hours. The aim of this book is to help you learn the technique and I will try
to do my best to support you whilst you practise and carry out the treatment.
This book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader
should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to the health of his/her baby and
particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
Becoming Mum
Congratulations on the birth of your lovely baby!

Motherhood is such a wonderful time in a woman’s life.
You have gone through the trials of pregnancy, survived
labour and now it is finally time for you to sit back and
enjoy being a mother.
However, the first few weeks are the most challenging

times for a new mum. There is so much to learn and so
many new gadgets to figure out. Feeding and sleeping
schedules, bottles, sterilisers and even breast pumps!
It’s no wonder you’ve been walking around like a zombie!
It is not just the lack of sleep, it is the overwhelming

amount of new information that needs to be digested in a
very short space of time. If it isn’t enough that you have
to battle your hormones and latch on to every bit of physical strength that still remains….you now
have another individual to care for. One that is completely dependent on you and requires your full
attention almost 24 hours a day.
No amount of reading or courses attended can prepare you for this moment. It is a steep learning
curve!
I went from being a full time career woman to a full time Mum in the space of a day-the birth! It is
the most drastic and challenging job switch ever. Yes, it has its rewarding moments and yes, I love
my daughter to bits, but there were times when all I could think about was getting a minute’s peace
or what life used to be like. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change a thing! But becoming Mum is a
huge undertaking and one that is greatly, in my opinion, underestimated and undervalued.
In the moments of being sleep deprived, completely exhausted and overwhelmed, I wondered if
things were going to get any better. Frustration started to kick in when my little one just wouldn’t
fall asleep or stop crying. I started questioning myself. What am I doing wrong? Why won’t my baby
stop crying?
These are questions that every mother wants answered. In my moments of despair, I turned to other
Mums for support. You will be surprised at how many Mums are going through the same thing.
In the first few months following Olivia’s birth I was constantly on edge and anxious. I would be
anxious about sounds waking her up - dogs barking whilst we were out, people on mobile phones,
loud vehicles....just about everything. I recognised that this level of anxiety was not normal. It
prevented me from enjoying the time I had with my daughter. With the support of my husband, I
started addressing these feelings of the baby blues. I took supplements, homeopathic remedies, as
well as practising meditation regularly. About a month later, I was back to normal and able to fully
function as a mum and wife. But this was a scary time for me. Despite having a medical background,
Copyright ©2014 www.babybowen.com Page 1

I realised how little I knew about the physical and hormonal changes the body experiences during
pregnancy and post birth.
What about babies then? What do they go through at birth?
The birth process can be one of the most traumatic experiences for a baby. Just imagine having to
leave the nice, warm environment you are so comfortable in and having to struggle to make your
way out into the world - breathing using an organ you have never used before. From the warmth,
calm and peace, you are now propelled into a foreign world. It is no wonder why babies are
sometimes stressed and exhausted post - birth.
From a physical sense, the baby’s body undergoes an extraordinary amount of change. Whether the
birth was a natural vaginal delivery, an induced birth or a C-section, each one of these methods has
the potential to create stress and strain on the structure of your baby’s body. Many babies go on to
carry these structural strains through childhood which later affect the development of the child and
can lead to postural problems, aches and pains.
Apart from physical problems, newborn babies often exhibit an underdeveloped nervous system
that can easily become imbalanced. Imbalances can manifest as problems with digestion leading to
constipation, wind, gas and reflux. Babies exhibiting these symptoms are often labelled colicky or
fussy. They may also be anxious and difficult to settle. A colicky baby is not a happy baby and can
cause parents a huge amount of distress.
As a new parent surrounded by other new mums, I was thrown into the world of reflux, projectile
vomiting, gas and colic. My daughter suffered from a couple of bouts of bloating and gas which were
quickly nipped in the bud using Bowen. I soon had a line of Mums wanting to give Bowen a try. The
results amazed them and me!
The following is one of the first few cases I had the privilege to teach and treat.

Case Study
Leah contacted me in July 2008. Her baby girl Jane was 4 months old. Below is a short transcript of
our 1st consultation.
Me: Hi Leah. Its lovely to meet you and baby Jane. How can I help you?
Leah: Well, we are at our wits’ end. Jane won’t sleep for more than 2 hours at night and she seems
to be constantly in pain. She is 4 months old now. We have taken her to the paediatrician and he
says she has colic which she will grow out of after 3 months...but nothing has improved. He also said
she has reflux and has given us medication for it. I don’t know if she is allergic to something I am
eating as well....
Me: It must be exhausting. How are you doing?
Leah: I am completely exhausted. I have my parents helping out but still it’s just draining. I feel so
helpless. She seems to be constantly battling something. I know she is really tired but just can’t sleep
and she cries so much. Like she is in pain.
Me: Lets go back a little, Leah. Tell me a little about the pregnancy and birth.
Leah: The pregnancy was fine. I never had any morning sickness...had loads of energy right to the
end. I was late and was induced. I had to have a C-section in the end. But there were no
complications and Jane was fine. We stayed at the hospital for 2 nights and Jane cried a little but it
all seemed to escalate when we got home. She took to the breast well. But after each feed she spits
up quite a bit and cries. I try to keep her upright to help with the reflux but she still seems to be in
pain. Eventually she gets so tired from the crying that she will fall asleep, mostly on me....but she
won’t stay asleep for more than 45 minutes at a time. I feel as though she is fighting or battling
something. She seems so restless and can’t relax fully. She pulls her legs up and goes all red as
though she is straining to pass wind or gas. And her tummy always seems bloated. I have heard that
Bowen can help with colic?
Me: Yes, you’re right. But more than that: Bowen is able to rebalance the nervous system and help
the nervous system develop. In my opinion, an imbalance in the nervous system is the cause of
most, if not all, discomfort in the body. Birth can be a rather traumatic experience for little bodies
and sometimes they just need some help to rebalance.
Leah: Yes, that is what it feels like...an imbalance. Like she is really stressed out. Is the procedure
quick? She doesn’t stay still for very long!
Me: Oh yes...that’s the great thing! Quick and so simple, I will teach you how to do it.
Leah: Oh perfect! It would be great if there is something I could do to help her.
3 days later I received this email from Leah.

Dear Carolyn,
I am sorry for not emailing you earlier, I have been catching up on sleep. Yes, sleep! Jane was very
relaxed after her 1st treatment with you and she did not spit up at all the whole day. That night she slept for
6 hours straight - a record for her! Now she averages 6-7 hours before needing a feed and going back to
sleep for another 5-6 hours. The bloating seems to have reduced. She still strains a little but does not seem
to be in pain. But more than that, she just seems so much happier. She is a different baby! She does spit
up occasionally but it really doesn’t seem to bother her.
When can we come back?
Leah
Leah and Jane attended the clinic a week later for a top - up and to learn Baby Bowen
herself.
Me: It is so nice to see you again! Let’s treat Jane. And once we are done, in roughly 3 minutes....I
will go through the procedure with you using this doll.
Demonstrating the procedure.
Leah: Wow...it’s so simple and gentle.
Me: Yes! The less pressure the better! Less is more when it comes to Bowen.
Leah: When and how often should I do this? Should I treat her when she is crying?
Me: I try not to treat babies when they are upset. They receive or are more receptive to the
treatment when they are calm. The body is more relaxed and able to process the signals better. I
would treat her when she is happiest or at her best. Maybe after a bath?
Leah: Yes, she likes her bath.
Me: Start off with one treatment and see how she reacts. The treatment protocol varies with each
baby. Some babies only need it once a week. If she responds well after the first session, leave it for a
few days and then do it again when you feel she needs it. Always try and read your baby’s response
to a session.
1 month later

Dear Carolyn,
Thank you so much. Our lives have been transformed. Jane now sleeps through the night-something
I could never imagine happening before we met you. And so do we! I used Baby Bowen twice after
we met and since the last time (10 days ago) I haven’t had to treat her. She really enjoys the
treatments and we enjoy our happy baby! Thanks again!
Leah & Jane
Leah now has a baby brother, Lucas, who is also a Baby Bowen fan.
Before we move on to the Baby Bowen procedure itself, it is important to understand a little bit
about your baby’s nervous system, what we are aiming to treat and how Bowen helps your baby’s
nervous system develop.
The next chapter describes the development of the nervous system in babies and what you can do
to help.

The Nervous System
The nervous system is perhaps the most complex and most important circuit in the human body. I
like to think of it as the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. Any imbalances or ‘short
circuits’ can manifest as health problems in various forms, both physical and mental. It is therefore,
a crucial part of your baby’s makeup that needs to be understood before you can move on to
treating your baby.
The nervous system is made up mainly of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous
system. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the peripheral nervous system and is also
known as the involuntary nervous system. It regulates the functions of internal organs such as the
stomach and heart and operates below the level of our consciousness. Some of the other functions
of the ANS are to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, as well as digestion.
Current medical view divides the ANS into two main subsystems. The sympathetic nervous system
(SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
Fig 1: The branches of the autonomic nervous system
The SNS is known as the ’quick response mobilising system’. It exhibits the classic fight-or-flight
response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. The body goes into a state of
heightened awareness (e.g. dilation of pupils) and vasoconstriction occurs to direct blood to vital
organs and muscles. There is an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension. In this
state, less energy is available for other functions such as digestion of food and repair of the body.
The body’s immune system is suppressed making it more vulnerable to infection. Long term
heightened sympathetic activity can have detrimental effects on health in the long term [2]. Sadly,
most of us live in this state constantly.

The PNS (parasympathetic nervous system) is known as the
‘rest, digest and heal system’. Some of its functions are to
control salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation and Paraysmpathetic nervous
digestion. One very important component of the PNS is the system (PNS) is activated
10th cranial nerve called the vagus nerve. Vagus is Latin for mainly by the vagus nerve.
“wandering,” and it is an accurate description of this nerve. Vagal tone is a measure of
The vagus nerve emerges at the back of the skull and makes the sensitivity of the PNS to
its way through the abdomen, and branches out to the heart, vagus nerve activity.
lungs, voicebox, stomach, and ears, among other body parts
[3]. It is responsible for bringing the body back into
homeostasis (balance) after activation of the SNS.
The vagus nerve is the command central for the function of the PNS. It is geared to slow the body
down like the brakes on a car and uses neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and GABA (gamma-
aminobutyric acid) to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Increasing the activity of the vagus nerve
(vagal activity) increases PNS activity and brings the body back into homeostasis post activation of
the fight-or-flight response. Vagal tone is a measure of how reactive/sensitive the vagal nerve is and
how quickly the brakes can be applied.
A high vagal tone indicates a responsive vagal nerve that

functions well to bring the body back from an excited, hyper-
alert state to a calm, relaxed one. An individual with high vagal A mature and well
tone is better able to cope with stressful situations as the body developed vagal tone
can easily rebalance. They are also more likely to be healthier, allows the nervous system
as their immune systems are less affected by stress and are to fluctuate between states
more resilient [4]. of heightened sympathetic
Low vagal tone on the other hand suggests that the vagus activity in times of stress
nerve is less reactive and less able to bring the ANS into a state and return to the calmness
of homeostasis after a stressful encounter. Long term of the parasympathetic
heightened sympathetic activity (stress) dampens/decreases state.
vagal tone. Individuals with low vagal tone are more sensitive
to stress and more prone to illness [4].
A balanced individual is able to call upon the SNS during times of stress and then return to a state of
calm with the PNS promoting healing and regeneration in the body. This is achieved through high
vagal tone.

The Nervous System In Babies
The nervous system in babies is continually developing
and maturing. Recent research by Dr. Stephen Porges
sheds more light on the makeup of the nervous system Babies born with an
and vagal tone in babies. At birth, babies do not have a immature nervous system
fully developed nervous system. They exhibit a lower and reduced vagal tone are
vagal tone which increases as they develop (Ref). often difficult to soothe and
exhibit digestive problems in
Studies by Porges (Ref) has shown that the vagal tone
line with an overactive
in babies is reduced below 3 months of age, and in
sympathetic nervous system.
some babies right up till 6 months of age. This has a
This results in anxiety,
profound effect on how the nervous system responds
to situations and stimuli.
unsettled, difficulty falling
asleep and staying asleep,
When vagal tone is low, this means that the ability of poor digestion (gas,
the nervous system to ‘correct’ itself when it goes out bloating) and reflux.
of balance is hampered. Using the example of the
brakes in a car to illustrate this: dampened vagal
reactivity can be likened to the car’s brakes that have
gone soft. The car takes a long time to respond to the braking action (inhibit fight-or-flight) and
continues on its path before slowly slowing down. In babies, the fight-or-flight response is not
inhibited and the body stays in a state of heightened tension and anxiety for some time.
So, a baby with low vagal tone will easily get stuck in a state of tension and anxiety when they
experience a stressful situation. The baby will be difficult to settle, have sleep problems and may
also experience digestive problems. This is similar to what adults experience in times of stress -
heartburn, indigestion, anxiety and insomnia.
In order to help your baby, we must understand what promotes development of vagal tone and
triggers the vagal tone to kick in. What is it that allows us as adults and babies to signal to the vagal
nerve that all is okay and it is now time to calm down?
This is explained using Porges’ Polyvagal theory.

Polyvagal Theory
Unlike the conventional medical definition of the nervous system as inhibitory and excitatory circuits,
Porges describes the nervous system as a hierarchy of systems having developed from reptilians. The
reptilian nervous system (parasympathetic, unmyelinated vagus nerve) evolved to accommodate us
as mammalians (sympathetic, fight-or-flight response) and eventually as humans (social feedback,
myelinated vagus nerve). Each of these major steps in evolution created a more complex nervous
system with additional layers suited for human life.
Fig 2: An illustration of the polyvagal theory and how the nervous system reacts to situations.
The reptilian nervous system is characterised by immobilization or freezing. Reptiles play dead when
under attack. The mammalian nervous system developed to incorporate the sympathetic fight-or-
flight response in order for mammals to run away/fight predators. Humans have evolved to use a
social engagement nervous system that makes full use of face-to-face interaction to evaluate how
safe a situation is.
These systems are all imbedded in our physiology in a hierarchical order. For example, if a rat senses
danger, being a mammal its first line of action is the fight-or-flight response. If however they are still
under threat and unable to escape, they then resort to the older reptilian nervous system-
immobilisation. They faint.

Humans use the social engagement system to assess safety of a situation. This involves reading facial
expressions, listening to speech and voice and other behaviours in other humans. If we feel
uncomfortable or less safe, we then engage the fight-or-flight response (sympathetic nervous
system) to escape from the situation. If however, we are unable to flee or escape the situation, we
resort to the reptilian nervous system of immobilization. We freeze.
Once our senses (eyes, ears etc) evaluate the situation as safe, the signal is sent through the
myelinated vagus nerve that inhibits the fight-or-flight response and the body calms down. A baby
will listen out for his mother’s voice, the smell of his mother and familiar faces. Some babies are
soothed by low-frequency noises such as washing machines and hair dryers. Some prefer a gentle
rocking movement or car motion. These are vagal triggers that can help calm and soothe babies. It is
important to remember that babies take longer to respond to these signals as their vagal tone is not
fully developed.
Summary: The vagal tone is a measure of how well regulated the nervous system is. It is
responsible for returning the nervous system to a state of calm once danger is no longer
perceived. The vagal tone prevents prolonged heightened sympathetic (fight-or- flight
activity) by using the myelinated vagus nerve (newest nervous system) to activate the
parasympathetic nervous system (inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system) associated
with calm and healing.
Young or less developed babies have a reduced vagal tone which slows the body’s response
to vagal activity. There is less inhibition of the sympathetic state resulting in excessive fight-
or-flight behaviour - stress, anxiety, restlessness, difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep,
indigestion, wind, heartburn and reflux. Calming, soothing and familiar sounds, sights and
smells help to engage vagal tone and inhibit sympathetic activity.
The following scenario will help put this information into context.
Sophia, 7 weeks old, has had a full day, learning about new things, hearing new voices and feeling
new textures etc. It is 7pm and she is tired. She has had enough.
Mum sees that she is tired and brings her into a quiet and dark room to reduce stimulation. That’s
great, it’s nice and dark....but why is she still crying? And why is she getting more and more upset?
Should Mum have done something else?
This baby was over-stimulated and tired. She wants to shut it all out. She is getting stressed out and
anxious because her sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive. Now remember her vagal tone is
low. So, even though she is removed from stimuli, her vagal tone is not mature enough to switch her
back to the parasympathetic state of calm and relaxation immediately.
She continues to stay in the state of fight-or-flight until her vagal tone kicks in. And this has to be
supported by her feeling safe and secure. So Mum has done all the right things, by removing her
from the stimulating environment and helping her feel safe. Now, we just need to wait for Sophia’s
vagal tone to kick in.

However, what usually happens is, 10 minutes later, she is still crying and Mum starts getting
anxious. She starts jiggling and rocking Sophia in the hope that this will help her sleep. We have all
been there! The most difficult thing is to listen to your baby crying. What do you think happens now?
Sophia’s nervous system that was perhaps starting to calm down as her vagal tone kicks in, is now
being stimulated by the action of jiggling and rocking. To her this does not feel safe and her nervous
system signals danger. She starts crying even more. She looks at Mum for some reassurance, but
Mum looks anxious and stressed. Sophia does not feel safe and cries even more.
I am not saying that jiggling or rocking is not the right thing to do. To Sophia it does not feel safe;
however, other babies may be soothed by this motion. Some babies love being swaddled and some
don’t. Some love being in their prams and some don’t. It all depends on what feels safe for your
baby. Some Mums swear by the sound of a washing machine to put their baby asleep. For my
daughter, it was terrifying!
When you find the triggers that make her feel safe, you can use them to help her nervous system
receive these positive signals of reassurance. And depending on how mature your baby’s nervous
system is, your baby’s vagal tone will respond in its own time.
So a baby of the same age as Sophia but with a more responsive vagal tone may have responded to
the dark and quiet room in the space of 5 mins. But it takes Sophia longer.
Once you have identified your baby’s calming triggers, the next step is to help your baby’s vagal tone
develop so she is able to return to a state of calm once the stressor is removed.
This is where Baby Bowen is of great help.
How to help your baby’s vagal tone develop

It is often said that larger and full term babies seem to be more settled than smaller babies. The
physical development of the baby could be an indication of the maturity of the nervous system.
Babies with a mature nervous system appear more ‘chilled out’ and often settle easily with a cuddle
or when carried. On the contrary, it takes longer for younger and smaller babies to settle and is most
likely due to an immature nervous system and reduced vagal
tone.
Reduced vagal tone is much more pronounced in premature

babies (Ref). At this stage of development, the nervous Mums voice, warmth,
system is markedly underdeveloped and the social calming environments
engagement level is absent. Because of this, premature and soothing sounds
babies appear expressionless and exhibit a ‘flat face’. They help engage vagal tone
are not able to respond to the interaction given by Mum.
and increase
This in turn can lead to Mums feeling unwanted or
parasympathetic
depressed. Interaction is very important to help in the
nervous system activity.
development of premature babies. Babies in incubators have
been found to respond to their Mum’s touch and develop
quicker. (Ref)

Vagal tone develops as the baby develops. However, certain activities, such as mum-and-baby
bonding, touch and social interaction help the vagal tone to develop quicker. Helping your baby feel
safe and secure encourages development by promoting parasympathetic activity for calm and
healing. Mothers suffering from postnatal depression are unable to provide the social engagement
needed for the baby to feel safe. This results in an
anxious baby that finds it hard to calm down and is
sometimes constantly in a state of fight-or-flight.
The Bowen Technique aids
As the parasympathetic nervous system controls
in developing vagal tone
digestion and defecation, a less-developed nervous
thereby inhibiting SNS
system in young babies will result in the baby exhibiting
activity and increasing PNS
colicky symptoms of gas, wind, reflux and indigestion
(more of this in later chapters). These colicky symptoms activity e.g. calm, relaxed,
disappear at about 3 months, roughly the same time it sleeps well, good digestion
takes for the nervous system to develop. This is no and bowel movements.
coincidence! A mature nervous system is more able to
carry out bodily functions with ease.
The Bowen Technique is able to increase vagal tone and aid in the long term development of vagal
tone. This is evidenced by the almost immediate shift in the nervous system of babies during a
Bowen treatment. Increased parasympathetic activity is commonly reported right after or during a
session. Increased bowel movement is seen as the baby passes wind or fills their nappy without any
effort. They appear calm and sometimes sleepy. All markers of heightened parasympathetic activity.
The following example is of a young baby with reduced vagal tone and colicky symptoms.
Brian is 6 weeks old. His Mum describes him as a very fussy baby who is difficult to calm and settle.
He doesn’t sleep for longer than 20 minutes in a day as he keeps waking himself up. He also suffers
from bloating, trapped wind and mild reflux. At around 7.30pm every night his colicky symptoms get
worse and he cries for hours before falling asleep. He wakes up to feed at about 2am and then the
crying starts again. Both Mum and baby are exhausted!
Brian probably has an immature nervous system and reduced vagal tone. The heightened,
uninhibited sympathetic nervous system activity makes it difficult for him to settle as he is
constantly in the ‘alert’ mode. He can’t switch off. His digestive system is affected by reduced
parasympathetic activity causing bloating, indigestion, wind and reflux.
What can Mum do? Brian is easily stimulated and dislikes loud noises, bright lights and fast motion.
He feels safest being swaddled and rocked gently in a quiet, dark room. These factors help Brian’s
nervous system trigger the vagal system and activate the calming parasympathetic system. But, as
Brian’s vagal tone is low, this takes some time. Is there anything else that can help Brian?
You guessed it! Baby Bowen can help Brian’s nervous system develop and increase vagal tone
making it easier and quicker for Brian to access his calming parasympathetic system. Brian will still
need all the triggers that make him feel safe, but he will now respond to them much quicker.

Mum decides to give Bowen a try. After the first session, there is a marked improvement. Brian has
less bloating and is able to pass wind easily. As a result, he is much happier. He settles much quicker
and sleeps for longer periods.
So, babies are born with a reduced ability to handle stressful situations. It is quite ironic then that
the very first experience they have, entering this world, is sometimes the most stressful!
The following chapter explains how the nervous system is affected during birth and labour and why
it is important to address these issues early on.

Birth
The stresses experienced at birth cause heightened sympathetic activity and can result in a baby that
feels jangled or out of sorts. This can occur in prolonged labour as well as in very quick births and for
both vaginal as well as C-section births.
Vaginal Birth
During a vaginal birth your baby will experience a lot of forces exerting stresses and strains on
his/her little body. Even if the birth is a natural birth, free from the use of forceps and suction
vacuum, your baby will experience some muscular strain in its body.
During the birth process, several factors may cause strain to your baby's spine, especially the neck.
The nerves in the spine and neck region are easily compressed.
 Induction - Many labours are induced, usually with a drug called Syntocinon, which can
produce harder and faster contractions, and a quick birth, putting a lot of pressure on your
baby's spine.
 Position - As most women give birth lying on their backs, this hinders the birthing process by
decreasing the size of the cervical opening and not allowing gravity to help in the process. To
aid the birth, the delivering physician may have to twist and pull the baby forcefully.
 The second stage of labour - During the pushing stage of labour, your baby's spine is under a
great deal of pressure from the squeezing and pushing of your contractions.
 Delivery - As birth has become more assisted the risks of spinal pressure has increased. If
your delivery included a prolonged pushing stage, forceps or vacuum extraction, or other
form of assisted delivery, the chances of strain on the head, neck and spine are greater.
All these strains contribute to heightened sympathetic activity in babies. Babies with an
immature nervous system and low vagal tone are not able to activate the parasympathetic
nervous system easily. This results in a stressed out baby. To reduce sympathetic activity and
increase the parasympathetic (calming) activity, skin-to-skin contact, the mothers smell, a
soothing voice, dim lighting and warmth can all help make baby feel safe and stimulate
parasympathetic activity following birth.

C-Section deliveries
A C-section is normally performed when complications arise and the baby is deemed to be in danger
or if the mother’s health is compromised. These days, however, C-sections are becoming more and
more popular amongst pregnant mothers for other reasons.
Many times, it is seen as more convenient, as a C-section can be scheduled at a certain time. But
above all, a C-section is seen by many to be less destructive to the female genitalia. It is indeed true
that you are probably not going to have to have an episiotomy after a C-section, but do remember
that this is considered a major surgical procedure and the weakening of the abdominal wall through
surgery should not be taken lightly. Apart from the complications that could arise from major
abdominal surgery, the recovery period is longer in a Caesarian delivery.
With respect to the baby, a C-section is a much quicker delivery compared to the natural birth
process. Babies who experience this can feel quite ‘out of sorts’. There is almost no transition time
from being in the womb to breathing air.
In a normal delivery, the baby will undergo a stage in which it is actively assisting in labour. With
each contraction, the baby will assist by pushing hard with its legs. This is an important process for
the baby and encourages mobilization in the lower limbs as well as an activation of the nervous
system. In babies that have undergone a C-section delivery this mobilization never happens and
could be one reason why many are often slow to walk or to crawl. Bottom shuffling amongst C-
section babies is common.
One theory is that this can be likened to a butterfly in a cocoon. If you watch a butterfly emerge
from a cocoon you will notice two things. First, it has a mighty struggle to get itself out. Secondly, it
immediately starts beating its wings and starts to fly. Biologists have discovered that the struggle is
an essential part of the process. If you gently slice open the cocoon and assist the butterfly in
emerging, most butterflies will die and only a small handful will survive. Those that survive do not
emerge and start beating their wings, instead they appear off balance for some time and after a few
attempts start beating their wings. It was discovered that during the struggle to emerge from a small
hole, the butterfly’s body is squashed and the liquid from deep inside the butterfly's body is pushed

into tiny capillaries in the wings, activating them. Perhaps this theory can also be applied to the
activation of the nervous system in babies.
There appears to be a higher incidence of colic in

Caesarean deliveries. During the normal birth process,
the baby’s nervous system will have been activated much The effects of a difficult birth
more and because of this, normal birth babies seem to and/or stressful pregnancy
have a head start. The nervous system is kick-started and
create a high level of
the respiratory and digestive systems of the body get to
work a little quicker. sympathetic arousal within
the baby’s nervous system.
During a C-section, the baby’s body has not had a chance The result of this arousal,
to adapt to any change. The baby is lifted out and simply along with the consequent
expected to take its first breath. Most babies do. production of stress
However, because of the quick transition that takes hormones such as cortisol and
place, their nervous system is in shock. Their sympathetic
adrenaline, mean that the
nervous system will often be over-activated and
constantly on alert, making it difficult for them to feel baby is in a constant state of
comfortable and settled. They may very easily exhibit the internal agitation and will
Moro reflex (primitive startle reflex-baby cries and have more difficulty in
extends legs, arms, and fingers, arches back, then retracts settling, will be more sensitive
arms and legs) for some time after birth and commonly to stimuli and prone to upset
when falling asleep. than a baby that did not
experience his/her early
In addition to this, elective or planned C-sections are
normally carried out at 38 weeks or earlier. This may experiences as stressful.
perhaps result in a baby being born before his or her
nervous system has fully developed. Although this is not
what any pediatrician or obstetrician will validate, I
believe that each baby develops differently and so normal milestones do not apply to all babies, and
that, in general, each baby should be given the opportunity to be carried till full term unless of
course health reasons call for an urgent delivery.
So, not only does your baby experience a shock to the nervous system at birth, he or she also has to
deal with an underdeveloped nervous system - a double whammy!!
If you had a C-section and your baby is anxious and colicky, don’t beat yourself up about it. There is
so much that can be done to help your baby. Thankfully, none of this is irreversible.
The following chapter discusses infant colic, cause and treatment of common colicky symptoms.

Infant Colic
Colic is a description of symptoms rather than an accurate diagnosis. Infant colic (also known as baby
colic and three-month colic) is a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or screams
frequently and for extended periods, without any discernible reason.
A common rule of thumb is to consider a baby "colicky" if it cries intensely more than three days a
week, for more than three hours a day, for more than three weeks in a month.
I can imagine you’re saying..’What? I don’t count the hours my baby cries!’, so let’s make it simpler.
My simple definition is a baby can be described as colicky if he or she is crying for hours and you (the
mother) have no idea what could be causing it and how to stop it.
Babies typically go all red, arch their back or draw their legs up and start crying when colicky.
Nothing seems to soothe them, they appear restless, want to be held constantly and have difficulty
sleeping. If your baby does this, don’t get upset! Colic is only a term for babies where the cause of
their crying is unknown. It is the medical profession’s way of describing a crying baby when the
cause is unknown. So please don’t think your baby is one of the few who are inflicted with some
incurable disease. Far from it! In fact, I would go so far as to say that most babies are colicky to a
certain degree.
I have had the privilege to meet and treat a range of colicky babies. Some cry endlessly for hours on
end, some for a fixed period of time and some simply fight sleep. They all have one thing in common
- a tired, desperate parent!
Colic frequently occurs during a specific period of the day, often in the early evening. The timing of
colic is yet to be pinned down to a specific cause or reason. One theory suggests that the human
body has a biorhythm that causes pain receptors to be more sensitive in the evening. Aches and
pains in the body tend to be more pronounced in the evening. The biorhythm of the digestive
system is thought to be at its peak at noon and slows down in the evening. This could contribute to
the symptoms of indigestion worsening in the early evening.
Imbalance in Nervous System

Low vagal tone due to an immature nervous system and /or a traumatic birth experience
Digestion Breathing Muscles Anxiety, Stress

and Sleep issues
Gas, constipation Mucous, reflux Cramps
GAS
GAS GAS GAS
Colic
Figure 3: Causes of colic
crying

GAS
In my opinion, and as has been explained in earlier chapters, the cause of colicky symptoms in the
majority of babies is a combination of an immature nervous system (low vagal tone) and the trauma
of birth - tipping the nervous system into a fight-or-flight mode. Colic typically appears within the
first two weeks of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is
three to four months old. It is no coincidence that this is also the time when your baby’s nervous
system matures.
The combination of an immature nervous system and a stressful birth experience can lead to poor
digestion with gas and reflux, tension in the muscles, fluid retention, anxiety and restlessness.

Digestion
I am sure that most of you have heard or been told that your baby is colicky because of wind or gas.
What does this mean?
As adults, if we eat our food in a rush, or during

swallowing, we may swallow some air which could get
trapped. Chewing gum is a typical example of a situation
where we may be gulping a large amount of air without
knowing it. However, this does not cause us any
discomfort. We simply expel any excessive air through
our digestive track, otherwise known as passing wind
and burping.
Bloating &
Discomfort In babies, with immature nervous systems, the digestive
track is slightly sluggish. Even more so when they are in
a state of fight-or-flight - the stress response. Anyone
who has eaten while stressed will know that it rapidly
brings on feelings of indigestion and other forms of
digestive discomfort. The same is true for a feeding baby,
although here the overly-stressed digestive system is still
immature and is struggling to cope with the demands put upon it.
The symptoms of indigestion such as bloating,

pain and belching are caused by the excessive
build-up of gas. When we are not able to digest
Digestive symptoms of a heightened
our food efficiently with our own enzymes, this
sympathetic nervous system:
undigested food is left in the gut.
-excessive gas causing bloating
The bacteria in the gut then takes over the task
-straining (red in face and drawing up of
of digesting the food and by doing so produces
legs)
a rather large amount of gas. This is why food
-stomach cramps causing pain and
which is difficult to digest (e.g. beans) can
excessive crying.
cause indigestion and wind. Excessive gas
-constipation
production puts pressure on our abdomen
causing pain and discomfort.
Upward pressure from the abdominal region exerts pressure on your diaphragm and may also cause
reflux. This causes your baby to push excessively in order to try and pass wind and hence the red
face and legs drawn up posture. He or she may even appear to be trying to stand as he pushes
downwards with his legs. They are experiencing severe bloating and will often moan, grunt, contract
and cry excessively. Some babies arch backwards in an attempt to push the wind downwards.
So in babies, the combination of a sluggish digestive system and an inability to effectively expel air
can very quickly lead to an uncomfortable tummy and a rather unhappy baby. This situation can be
made worse by the use of a feeding bottle with a large teat which causes excessive intake of air.
Sucking on an empty feeding bottle also causes a large intake of air. If breastfeeding, ensure the
baby has latched on completely and no air is being sucked in (listen out for whistling noises).

Another common cause of trapped wind in babies is air swallowed while sucking on pacifiers or
dummies. If your baby tends to have lots of colic abdominal pain, and he or she uses pacifiers, why
not see if things might settle without the pacifier? Of course, if the pacifier is the only thing that
calms your baby down, then by all means keep using it.
An overactive sympathetic nervous system can also cause problems with passing stool. Irregular
passing of stool is common in babies. However, if your baby is in discomfort and the stool is small
and hard (rabbit pellets), your baby is probably suffering from constipation. Constipation is more
common in formula-fed babies. Babies with poor digestion will find it more difficult to digest formula
milk and this can manifest as constipation.
A state of stress can also create a condition called gut dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis occurs when
unhealthy levels of ‘bad bacteria’ populate the gut and as a result there are low levels of ‘good
bacteria’. A healthy gut maintains a balance of healthy gut flora to aid in the breakdown and
digestion of food. Apart from stress, the early use of antibiotics in babies and breastfeeding Mums
prevents growth of healthy gut flora resulting in a compromised digestive system for both Mum and
baby. Healthy gut flora in babies is essential for digestion. Breast milk is easy to digest and most
babies seem to start having digestive problems once formula is introduced. This could be because of
poor digestion due to inadequate quantities of healthy gut flora (gut dysbiosis). Healthy gut flora is
introduced to babies during birth (vaginal canal) and also through breast milk. However, if a Mum is
on antibiotics, this will pass through to baby and will kill off the ‘good bacteria’ affecting their
digestive system. Baby probiotics (Udo’s choice, Biocare) can help with this. If left untreated, gut
dysbiosis can lead to a leaky gut and accumulation of toxins (from poorly-digested food) in other
areas of the body. Dr. Natasha McBride, founder of the GAPs (Gut and Psychology Syndrome)
protocol has made the link between unhealthy gut flora and a leaky gut with mental illness in adults
as well as increasingly prevalent conditions in children such as autism, ADHD, hyperactivity and
allergies.
Breathing and Airways

An immature nervous system in a heightened sympathetic state not only plays havoc with digestion,
it also affects our respiratory system by increasing our breathing rate. In young babies with already
tense diaphragm muscles this can contribute to muscle
spasms, mucous build-up and reflux.
Respiratory symptoms
If you have experienced reflux or heartburn you will know of a heightened
that these symptoms are almost always triggered by stress. sympathetic nervous
The fight-or-flight response causes us to breath faster and system:
shallower and this causes our diaphragm muscles to increase
in tension. -hiccups
-fluid retention causing
The diaphragm is the most used and most important muscle blocked airways
in the body. It allows us to breathe. How do you know if your -reflux
baby has a tense diaphragm? Does he or she get hiccups?
This is a sign of a tense diaphragm.
Muscle tension or spasm is most often caused by weak muscles that are used excessively. In a
newborn baby, the diaphragm - the most important muscle in breathing - has never been used

before. When the baby takes its first breath, the muscle is stretched and gradually gets stronger and
stronger enabling the baby to breathe easier. In the first few days, the muscle will tire easily and
become tense. A tense diaphragm can easily go into spasm causing hiccups.
An increasing number of babies retain fluid in their nasal passages and respiratory system. The red
swelling/marks seen on their eyelids is an indication of fluid retention. Some scientists believe that
during a vaginal delivery the fluid is pushed out of the baby’s body as it makes its way through the
narrow birth canal. However, fluid retention can also occur in quick vaginal deliveries.
These babies have excessive mucous build-up resulting in coughs and colds and difficulty breathing.
One of my clients described his baby sounding like Peppa Pig! Snorting when they sleep is a sign of a
blocked airway. Babies in an anxious state with a tense diaphragm will find it very difficult to expel
the mucus. Once the nervous system is rebalanced (Bowen is great at this!), the body is able to clear
the airways and mucous will be expelled through the orifices such as nose, ears, mouth and
sometimes with a mucous-filled nappy!
Not only does the diaphragm play an important role in breathing, it also plays a major role in the
digestive system. The diaphragm surrounds the esophagus (throat) and is continuously contracted,
but then relaxes with swallows. This allows food to pass into the stomach unobstructed but also aids
in preventing the food coming back up again.
Unable to relax when needed due to heightened sympathetic nervous system activity, the
diaphragm hampers the digestive system causing reflux. This is one of the main causes of an
unhappy baby.
Esophagus
Reflux
Diaphragm
Stomach
Studies (ref) at the Colic Clinic at Brown University5 demonstrate that nearly half of babies with colic
have mild gastro esophageal reflux.
Reflux has also been attributed to lactose intolerance. The buildup of wind in the digestive track
from inability to digest lactose increases the pressure on the diaphragm contributing to reflux and
colic.

If your baby experiences colicky pains, reflux and/or projectile vomiting, it is important to rule out
allergies or intolerances. A visit to your paediatrician may be necessary. Common allergies include
nuts, eggs and lactose.
Apart from indigestion and reflux, there is another manifestation that is often missed. In a state of
fight-or-flight/stress, the body produces chemicals that cause muscles to tense up. In a dangerous
situation this is highly appropriate to enable us to escape/flee danger. However, long-term tensing
of muscles can create many health issues as commonly seen in adults e.g. back pain, neck pain etc.
In babies, this state of muscle tension does not help their tight and still developing muscles.
Muscular Tension
Think of being on a long trip in a compact car which has very
little leg room. When you first get out, you have to stretch your
legs before you can walk around. This is essentially what occurs
with babies. The muscles have been so used to remaining in a
tightly curled position for 9 months and are tense.
One of the least-researched causes of colic is tension in the

muscles. Muscles can easily develop minor spasms causing
cramps and discomfort. Tense muscles during a period of
heightened stress response only add to the already tense
muscles a baby is experiencing.
Babies delivered by C-section have a greater incidence of musculoskeletal spasm, having not been
stretched out in the birthing process. Babies who have undergone a natural birth will have used their
legs to propel themselves downwards and in the process will have stretched and kicked a little bit
more. A baby born by C-section will have been lifted out of the womb and hence will not have
stretched out as much.
The hip flexors (iliopsoas muscles) bring the knees toward the chest. C-section babies have a greater
incidence of tight hip muscles. Your baby's legs may seem more difficult to straighten out. Because
these muscles are relatively tight, your baby will frequently contract the knees toward the chest and
this in turn may impede the progress of wind through the digestive tract causing abdominal
discomfort. Tightness in this muscles has also been associated with bottom shuffling and being slow
to crawl in C-section babies.
Rebalancing the nervous system using Bowen can activate the parasympathetic nervous system
promoting relaxation in the muscles. Baby massage can also help reduce muscle tension and
tightness.
The heightened sympathetic nervous system also affects your baby’s state of mind.

Anxiety, Stress and Sleep Issues
Many colicky babies are also called fussy babies. They seem to be always on alert, constantly anxious
and are very difficult to put down for a nap. Once they nod off, they sometimes jerk themselves
awake and start crying.
Low vagal tone in young babies coupled with an imbalance at birth creates a state of heightened
sympathetic activity and an anxious, stressed baby.
The sympathetic nervous system prepares you for fight-or-flight. A baby with an overactive
sympathetic nervous system will exhibit signs of being constantly on ‘alert’ or in the fight-or-flight
mode. Crying, anxiety, restlessness, exhibiting the Moro
reflex, unable to fall asleep easily and stay asleep are all
signs of an overactive sympathetic nervous system. We
experience similar symptoms of insomnia and anxiety as Mental and emotional
adults, during times of stress. symptoms of a heightened
sympathetic nervous system:
Heightened sympathetic nervous system activity can
-anxious
manifest as indigestion, respiratory problems, reflux,
-restless
muscular tension as well as mental and emotional anxiety
-difficulty falling asleep and
and stress. All of these symptoms cause discomfort and lead
to a crying, colicky baby. staying asleep.
-Moro reflex
There is one other theory about the cause of colic that is
worth mentioning - umbilical shock.
Umbilical Shock & Colic

Throughout pregnancy, the umbilical cord acts as the baby’s lifeline to the outside world. It is the
conduit through which he/she breathes, receives nourishment and rids him/herself of metabolic
waste. As well as food and oxygen, a number of other elements
cross the placenta and enter the baby through the cord. These
include maternal stress hormones and neuropeptides (the
biochemical markers of emotion), as well as more toxic substances
such as alcohol and nicotine.
As a result of this, the baby is affected by not only what mum eats,
drinks and smokes, but also by her stress levels and emotional
states. In order to protect him/herself from the more unwelcome
influences, the baby will contract his/her belly and try to pull away
from whatever is coming in through the cord.
The result of this is that there can be a significant amount of stress

and tissue contraction through the abdomen, lower back, pelvis,
diaphragm and digestive organs, giving rise to significant discomfort especially when feeding. One
theory is that it is due to umbilical stress that the incidence of colic is seen to double in mothers who
smoke during pregnancy.

Another cause of umbilical stress is the premature severing of the umbilical cord. When a baby is
born in a hospital, the umbilical cord is frequently cut before it stops pulsing. This induces a shock
into the infant's intestines and abdomen which have to adapt from getting oxygen via the umbilical
cord to breathing air. The muscles in the abdomen become very tense.
In their efforts to "tidy things up" as quickly as possible, many doctors and midwives clamp and cut
off umbilical cords as soon as babies have been delivered. But waiting at least two minutes would
allow precious red and white blood cells to be transferred to the infant from the placenta before it is
expelled from the womb. This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association4
The arching of the back and pulling up of the legs to the chest in the midst of a “colic attack” are
thought to be classic indicators of umbilical shock. By making these movements, the baby is
attempting to get some relief from the internal discomfort he/she is feeling by relieving some of the
pressure in the abdomen.

Treating Colic
How is colic treated? There is currently no generally-accepted medical treatment for colic, and the
approach taken by medical professionals varies substantially from country to country and indeed
from doctor to doctor. Many believe that the condition is currently untreatable, and is best left to
run its course.
Medication is commonly used to treat the symptoms. The most common treatments for colic and
indigestion in babies act to try and remove trapped wind (e.g. Simethicone and gripe water). Colic
calm, a homeopathic and more natural form of gripe water is thought to aid by improving digestion
and relieving colicky symptoms. Constipation in babies is normally treated using laxatives.
Conventional medical treatment for reflux fall into two main categories:
1. Thickeners and barriers (e.g. Gaviscon) to help keep food down and prevent regurgitation and
medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach (e.g. Ranitidine and
Omeprazole).
2. Anti-regurgitant formula milks (e.g. Enfamil AR and SMA Staydown) are thicker, heavier formulas
that are meant to prevent spit up and regurgitation. However, babies with poor digestion will rarely
benefit from this. The majority of babies suffering from reflux are younger, low birth-weight and less
mature babies. These babies most probably have a less-developed nervous system leading to poor
digestion. Heavier formulas are most difficult to digest and in many cases make the problem worse.
Similarly, drugs that reduce stomach acid also reduce digestion.
Oesophageal reflux is thought to be caused by a relaxed oesophageal sphincter. This tightens with
age and many babies with mild or moderate symptoms are not treated. However, there are other
factors that contribute to reflux that can be addressed. As mentioned previously, pressure due to
gas build-up, a tense diaphragm and an overactive sympathetic nervous system can all contribute to
make the problem much worse. This is where Baby Bowen can help.
The widespread belief in medication may be partly due to the suddenness with which colic naturally
resolves itself. Many parents keep trying different approaches until the colic suddenly stops, at
which point they presume that the last thing they tried was the cure.
All these forms of treatment may be effective in addressing the symptoms but they do not address
the underlying cause. Contrary to common belief, babies do not grow out of colic once they reach
the age of 4 months. What happens is that their nervous system matures and they become more
resilient and are able to adapt themselves around the underlying condition without any continual
distress. However, the underlying condition, be it birth trauma or stress still remains, and can
become a seed for potential problems in the future.
In order to help resolve the underlying condition, it is important to use therapeutic approaches that
are able to address not only the physical problems, but to also address any residual emotional and
trauma or shock-related issues. In this regard, Baby Bowen, has a great deal to offer.
Baby Bowen is able to rebalance the nervous system very effectively and to increase vagal tone. This
results in a nervous system that is calmer and more able to carry out bodily functions smoothly. A

calm state of mind promotes frequency and duration of sleep which in turn aids in development and
healing.
Soothing measures, such as rocking, are often effective in calming the baby during crying periods.
Also known as the "cuddle cure", the five S's are known as Swaddling, placing the baby on their Side
or Stomach, Swinging the baby, making a Shhh sound in the baby's ear, and giving the baby
something to Suck on. These make the baby feel safe and help trigger the parasympathetic nervous
system to return to a state of calm and relaxation. As mentioned before, each baby is different and
what works for some may not work for others.
In my practice, I also recommend homeopathy to parents. Homeopathic remedies are a brilliant way
of easing the pain and discomfort and can be very effective. They are easy to administer and safe to
use with babies. Used in conjunction with Bowen, it can have a profound effect on the baby’s well-
being. If you are interested in using homeopathic remedies, do get in touch with a homeopath. I
have often been asked about the effectiveness of Colic Calm as a homeopathic remedy for colic.
Colic calm is a combination of 9 different ingredients or remedies. From my experience, single
homeopathic remedies seem to be more effective than when given in combination.
Cranial sacral therapy and osteopathy are both very good treatments to help reduce muscular
tension in the head, neck and spine, freeing nerves and, I suspect, also help rebalance the nervous
system. Many of my clients had tried one or both of these treatments before trying Bowen. Baby
massage is also a good way to bond with your baby, whilst making him/her feel calm and safe.
Here is a brief outline of my recommended treatment plan for babies with colic.
1. Baby Bowen to rebalance and support development of the nervous system.
2. Homeopathy for symptom soothing.
3. Baby probiotics to aid digestion and help in long-term well-being of gut flora.
4. Face-to-face interaction to aid development of your baby’s social engagement system
5. Baby massage and soothing/calming activites (e.g. swaddling, rocking).
In many cases, Baby Bowen on its own is sufficient. However, some parents prefer a more medical-
like approach and would like to be able to administer something. In this case I recommend
homeopathy and probiotics.
The following chapter describes the Baby Bowen Technique, how it works and how it should be
carried out.

Baby Bowen
What is Baby Bowen?
Baby Bowen is Bowen Therapy for babies. It is a series of very gentle yet highly effective moves that
are made on your baby’s back and front.
Origins
Named after its innovator Tom Bowen, who developed this technique in the 1950s and 1960s, and
who, by 1975, was treating some 13,000 patients a year.
What is the Bowen Technique?

The Bowen Technique consists of a series of gentle
moves, usually with just the thumb and finger, across
muscles or tendons in a very gentle rolling motion.
Most of the work can be performed through light
clothing; however, it is easier to work directly on skin.
Bowen is ideal for infants as it is extremely gentle yet

highly effective.
The Bowen moves are made on specific parts of the

body, such as across muscle on either side of the
spine, that triggers the body’s natural responses to
heal itself. It is non-invasive, and is so gentle that it is
hard to believe anything is happening. It is NOT
massage or manipulation.
Because it is so effective yet so simple to learn, Baby

Bowen is fast becoming the therapy of choice for
many mothers.
How does it work?
In my opinion, Bowen works by rebalancing the nervous system and aiding in the development of
vagal tone. This is shown is studies using Heart Rate Variability (Ref).
In short, most unsettled babies have an overactive fight-or-flight response (sympathetic nervous
system) that keeps them in a state of constant tension and anxiety (more on this in later chapters).
By rebalancing both the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system they will
feel the immediate effects of calmness and serenity. They will also experience deeper and longer
sleep. A life saver for any tired parent!

Apart from rebalancing the nervous system, Bowen works directly on the muscles to release any
tension. Baby Bowen is very effective at releasing any tension in the diaphragm which is arguably the
major contributing factor in reflux and digestive problems, and is often the most tense. Many times
during a treatment the baby passes wind or fills their nappy without any effort.
Here are some of the effects commonly exhibited by infants during treatment:
 calmness
 drowsiness
 bowel movements (rumbling tummy)
 passing wind
 urination
 defecation
 falling asleep
 peaceful
 laughing
The extreme gentleness of Bowen, combined with its effectiveness, make it a very powerful tool for
treating babies, relieving their discomfort and maintaining their health.
Are there any adverse side effects?

There are no adverse side effects with Bowen. The treatment either works or it doesn’t.
What can it treat?

The Bowen Technique can be used to treat ALL causes of colic and discomfort in a baby. Here are
just some of the most common ones:
 Reflux
 Indigestion
 Bloating
 Wind
 Constipation
 Restlessness
 Asthma
 Respiratory infections (flus & colds)
 Mucous build up
 Wry Neck/Stiff Neck
 Muscle strain/injury
What about age?
Baby Bowen is often performed on an infant a day or two after birth to immediately relieve the baby
of the stresses of child birth, as well as to calm the baby down. Because Bowen is so gentle, it is
often used on premature babies to aid their development.
Baby Bowen is not restricted to infants. It is also used very effectively to treat toddlers, children and
even adults.

How often can it be used?
Baby Bowen can be used as often as needed, at the first sign of your baby's discomfort, or weekly, as
a preventative measure and for maintaining your baby’s health and well-being.
I normally treat babies once every 5/6 days. Research has shown that Bowen can carry on working
for up to 5 days after a treatment. Symptoms may start to decrease or lessen in intensity during this
period.
However, I do have clients who have carried out the procedure once a day and their children have
responded very positively. It has no negative side effect on the child, but for most babies, this has
not been necessary.
I recommend treating your baby and observing his/her reactions. Some babies have a stronger
reaction to treatments than others. If your baby appears to show a strong reaction (e.g. drowsy) to
the treatment then I would space out your treatments more.
How long does it take to work?
Every baby is different. For some babies, it works immediately. For others it takes a few sessions
before the effects are noticeable.
If nothing changes after you treat your baby, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t working. It takes some time
for the nervous system to process the signals and for rebalancing to take place. From my experience,
younger babies with less developed nervous systems take a little longer, sometimes up to 10 days to
respond compared to babies with more developed nervous systems. Baby’s nervous systems
develop at different rates and so this is just a general observation. My advice to you is to persevere
with it. Have confidence in the Bowen technique and yourself!
I feel I didn’t do it correctly, should I do it again?
The most common email I receive is from parents saying ‘Help, I am not sure I have done it correctly.
Should I do it again?’
Katya purchased Baby Bowen to treat her 7 week old daughter, Jessica. Jessica
suffered from colicky symptoms and reflux. After the first treatment, Katya
emailed me to say that Jessica hadn’t responded. She wanted to know if she should
carry out the treatment again and when.
I emailed Katya and explained to her that Jessica may be reacting to the treatment
even though nothing seemed different. I advised her to observe Jessica and if
nothing seems to have changed to carry out the treatment again the following day.
A week later, Katya emailed to say she had followed my advice. She realised that
there was a very slight but noticeable reduction in her symptoms. 3 days later, the
symptoms worsened and Katya treated Jessica again. This time she did notice a
significant lessening in her symptoms. She didn’t treat Jessica for 10 days as she
realized the symptoms were continuing to reduce and that Bowen was still
working. She now treats Jessica once a month or when she seems to need it.

Even though you feel you may not have done it correctly, it may actually have been enough to work.
I would recommend waiting until the next day to treat your baby again. It is safer to do less than
more.
When Is The Best Time To Treat?

Baby Bowen can be carried out both on an unhappy baby as well as on a happy baby. However, I
always prefer to work on babies when they are calm and happy e.g. after a bath. I find the body is
more receptive when they are calm and not battling pain or discomfort. It is best not to carry out
Baby Bowen during feeding as this will distract your baby.
Can I Hurt My Baby ?
Baby Bowen is extremely gentle. There are no known negative side effects of using Baby Bowen.
However, as with any hands-on therapy it is important to be very, very gentle and even more so with
Baby Bowen. In fact, the more gentle you are, the more effective the treatment is.
Even in the unlikely scenario that you carry out the moves wrongly, you will not harm your baby. It
will simply not work.
Stick to the instructions in this book and you will be fine.
How Do I Know If My Baby Likes It?
Babies are very easy to read. Most babies respond immediately to Baby Bowen being calm and
peaceful and in one mother’s words ‘spaced out’. Some fall asleep immediately and some wear a
smile for the day.
With practice you will learn to tailor the Baby Bowen moves to what your baby wants or needs in
different situations. For example, you may notice your baby responding to the moves on her tummy
more positively after feeding. Or the move on the lower back may calm her down when she is tired.
How your baby responds to Baby Bowen will also depend largely on how you approach the
treatment. If you feel angry or frustrated, take a step back and calm yourself before you treat your
baby. Your baby is extremely receptive to your feelings and emotions and may react negatively if
they sense any negative energy.
It is also very important that the moves are carried out very gently. If your baby starts to show signs
of distress during the treatment, assess the amount of pressure you are using. Bowen is very, very
gentle. If you are unsure as to how much pressure you should be using, please watch the videos - I
attempt to describe this.
In my experience, the lightest of touch is enough to send the appropriate signals to the nervous
system. Remember, Bowen is also about energy transfer and you do not need any pressure for this
to occur.

Some signs of excessive pressure being used are:
- redness on the skin
- fear or distress
Some babies may start to squirm during the treatment as though sensitive to your touch. The Bowen
moves are carried out on very specific points on the body that can hold a lot of tension and thus are
quite sensitive to touch. Be gentle!
However, If you feel your baby does not respond positively to your touch, you may want to seek
some medical help in case any underlying medical condition is causing a problem.
Cautions and Contraindications
Do not use any other forms of alternative therapy such as acupuncture or reflexology at the same
time as Bowen. There are two reasons:
1. The body may be overloaded and may respond negatively.

2. Other forms of treatments may hamper or even undo the Bowen work.
If you are seeing an osteopath or cranial osteopath, please allow a minimum of 5 days after a Bowen
treatment.
Baby massage should be carried out before a Bowen treatment and not after. It can be used as a
way of relaxing your baby before starting the Bowen treatment.
Do not repeatedly practice the moves on your baby. Practice the moves on a doll or pillow first until
you are ready carry them out on your baby.
I am delighted to introduce you to The Bowen Technique and I am positive the results themselves
will prove what an amazing gift to humanity it is.
Before we launch right into the step-by-step guide to treating your baby, it is vital for you to
understand how the moves themselves are made.
Go through the next section, The Bowen Move and ensure you are comfortable performing the
move. Then move on to the method of applying these moves in the next chapter.

The Bowen Move
To be able to effectively carry out the Bowen treatment, you will need to have a little knowledge of
the simple move that makes up the majority of Bowen treatments. The Bowen Move is a very simple
movement that is very effective.
Follow this Step-by-Step illustrated guide and watch the video at the end.
Practice this move on your hands.
Use your right hand (if you are right handed) and
place your thumb or finger very gently on your hand
in a perpendicular fashion (as shown in the picture).
Do not apply any pressure.
Now, very gently push aside the skin with your thumb.
This is called ‘taking skin slack’. It basically means
pushing aside the skin so you can get to the muscles
and ligaments below.
This arrow represents taking skin slack.
Only apply enough pressure to gently push the skin

aside. I cannot emphasize enough how little pressure
is needed. If you think you are applying little pressure,
reduce it by 5 times and this is the amount of
pressure you should use with Bowen. Hold your
thumb in that position for about 3 seconds. This is
called ‘challenging the muscle’.

Now apply very gentle pressure and roll your
thumb very gently over the muscles and tendons
underneath. You will feel very gentle ‘twangs’
under your thumb as you roll over these tendons
and muscles.
This arrow represents a rolling motion.
This is the basic Bowen Move.
Keep practicing this move until you feel confident.

Your hands should be as relaxed as possible.
The move is very, very gentle.
Here is the video of The Bowen Move.
Once you feel comfortable with the Bowen Move, move on to the next section, Baby Bowen Part 1.
Baby Bowen is taught in two parts. Part 1 involves moves on the baby’s back and Part 2 describes
the moves on the baby’s front.
Part 1 and Part 2 should be carried out in sequence and should not take longer than 5 minutes.
I recommend you go through each part, practising on a doll/pillow before carrying out the moves on
your baby.

BABY BOWEN: Part I
Have your practice doll handy.
The first 2 moves are made on your baby's lower back.
Lay your baby face down lying on his/her stomach.
Look for the curve in the lower back. This is where the move is
to be made. This is normally just above the nappy line.
Place your thumb and finger on the lower back, on either side
of the spine.
Always begin by doing your first Baby Bowen Move on the Left
side.
Place the pad of your Right thumb flat on top of the muscles
lying along the Left side of your baby's spine.
Move 1: Now apply slight pressure with the pad of your Right
thumb and move the skin away from the spine. You will be able
to feel the spinal muscle under your thumb. Apply very gentle
pressure. Remember the pressure test!
Keep your thumb in place for the 3 second challenge.

Now very gently push your thumb towards your baby’s spine
rolling over the spinal muscle underneath. The pad of your
thumb flattens as you perform the move.
Your gentle Bowen Baby Move is activating nerve endings

and sending a signal along the nerve pathway, like a reset
switch to your baby's nervous system, to enhance balance
and stimulate your baby's natural healing response. Think of
your Baby Bowen Move as being like turning on a light
switch.
This move also releases any muscle tension along the spine.
Move 2: Now immediately perform the next Baby Bowen

Move by reaching across your baby's spinal column and
placing the pad of your index finger atop the Right muscles
along your baby's spine.
Now apply slight pressure with the pad of your Right finger
and move the skin away from the spine. You will be able to
feel the spinal muscle under your finger.
At this end point you will gently press down and in with the
pad of your Right index finger, hooking your finger tip
slightly. Remember to hold this position for about 3 seconds.
Now with the pad of your Right index finger, pull your index
finger TOWARD your baby's spine, move slowly with even,
gentle pressure across the muscles; the pad of your Right
index finger will flatten as you perform the move.

The second pair of moves is made on your baby's
upper back, between the lower edge of his/her
shoulder blades.
Start on the Left side.
Place the pad of your Right thumb flat on top of

the muscles lying along the Left side of your baby's
spine. Your Right thumb is just along the bottom
angle of your baby's Left shoulder blade.
Move 3: Now apply slight pressure with the pad of

your Right thumb and move the skin away from
the spine. You will be able to feel the spinal
muscle under your thumb.
Keep your thumb in place for the 3 second

challenge.

Now push your Right thumb TOWARD your baby's
spine, rolling over the spinal muscles.
Move slowly with even, gentle pressure across the

muscles; the pad of your thumb flattens as you
perform the move.
Move 4: Now immediately perform the next Baby

Bowen Move by reaching across your baby's spinal
column, to the Right and placing the pad of your
index finger atop the muscles along your baby's
spine.
Gently push with the pad of your Right index

finger, to move the skin away from your baby's
spine as far as it will go.
At this end point you will gently press down and in

with the pad of your Right index finger, hooking
your finger tip slightly. Remember to hold this
position for about 3 seconds.
Now with the pad of your Right index finger, pull

your index finger TOWARD your baby's spine,
move slowly with even, gentle pressure across the
muscles; the pad of your Right index finger will
flatten as you perform the move.

Move 5: Keep your fingers in the same position
This time start on the Right. Place the pad of your
Right index finger, flat on top of the muscles along
the right side of your baby's spine, and push the
skin towards your baby's spine, as far as it will go.
Gently press down and in with the pad of your

Right index finger, hooking your finger tip slightly,
press gently on the muscles, activating the nerve
endings for a 3-second challenge.
Now push your index finger away from your baby's

spine, move slowly with even, gentle pressure
across the muscles; the pad of your index finger will
flatten as you perform the move.
Move 6: Now immediately perform the next Baby

Bowen Move by reaching across your baby's spinal
column and placing the Right pad of your thumb
atop the muscles along your baby's spine.
Now apply slight pressure with the pad of your

Right thumb and move the skin towards the spine.
You will be able to feel the spinal muscle under
your thumb.
Keep your thumb in place for 3 seconds.

Now very gently push your thumb away from the
spine rolling over the spinal muscle underneath.
The pad of your thumb flattens as you perform
the move.
You have now completed Part I of the Baby Bowen procedure. Watch the video below to familiarize
yourself with the moves in greater detail.
Here is the video for Baby Bowen: Part I
If you are ready, move on to Baby Bowen Part II.

BABY BOWEN : Part II
Your last 3 Baby Bowen Moves are made with your
baby/practice doll lying flat on his/her back.
Move 7: Place the middle finger of your left hand just below
the tip of cartilage at the end of your baby's breast bone
(called the xiphoid process). Maintain this holding point
with very gentle pressure while performing the following
two Baby Bowen Moves 8 & 9.
The purpose of a holding point is to set your intention for

focusing your Baby Bowen Move to a particular location and
effectively concentrates the signal you are sending along a
particular nerve pathway.
Move 8: Maintain your holding point. Place the pad of your

Right thumb mid-way along the border of your baby's left
rib cage (feel the rib under your thumb), slowly move the
skin up along the border of your baby's rib cage, to end
point as far as it can go.
Now slip the edge of your Right thumb pad slightly under
the angle of your baby's rib and with very gentle, light
touch pressure, move your Right thumb downward, along
the angle of your baby's rib to the end point and flatten
your thumb.

Move 9: Repeat the move on the right side of your
baby's rib cage this time using the pad of your Right
middle finger. Find your position mid-way along the
border of your baby's rib cage, move up along the
border to the end point.
Now slip the edge of your Right middle finger slightly

under angle of your baby's rib and with gentle, light
touch pressure, move downward along the angle of the
rib to the end point and flatten your finger.
Take your Left middle finger off your baby’s chest-

remove your holding point. Remove all your fingers
from touching your baby.
Wait 30 seconds.
Move 10: Place the pad of your Right middle finger

about 1 inch below your baby's xiphoid process (about
1cm lower than Move 7-holding point).
Feel the breath, in and out, get in sync and on an out-

breath, perform the following move very gently. This is
effectively a ‘skin level’ move.

With the Right pad of your middle finger, gently draw
your baby's skin up toward the tip of her/his xiphoid
process.
Remember not to apply pressure inwards but upwards

towards your babies chin.
Then gently pull downwards with gentle, light touch

pressure.
Baby Bowen Moves are most effective when performed

as your baby breathes out. But this is not essential as
babies can be breathing very quickly.
Here is the video for Baby Bowen: Part II
Keep practicing these moves on a doll before carrying them out on your baby.
DO NOT repeatedly perform any of the moves on your baby.
When you are ready, lay your baby down or hold him up and carry out Part I, then lay your baby
down and carry out Part II.

If your baby is upset you may want to carry out the Baby Bowen moves whilst carrying your baby.
You can carry out Part I facing a mirror. You can also carry out Part II with your baby lying on your lap.
The photos above show a Mum carrying out Baby Bowen (Part 1) whilst carrying her baby.
You can carry out Baby Bowen in any position that is comfortable for both you and your baby. Some
Mums even carry out Baby Bowen while bathing their baby!

Treatment Guide
1. Read through the book and picture illustrations.
2. Watch the videos.
3. Practice on a doll/pillow until you are confident.
4. Remember the pressure test. Only apply enough pressure to gently push the skin aside. If you
think you are applying little pressure, reduce it by 5 times and this is the amount of pressure you
should use with Bowen. Practice this on your hand or on a soft surface.
5. Pick a time in the day when your baby is settled. You can treat your baby when he/she is upset or
in pain, however, babies are more receptive to the treatment when they are calm.
6. Decide on the best position to lie or hold your baby. Treat your baby.
7. Treat your baby using all the steps in Part I and Part II of Baby Bowen. It is important that you
follow the sequence of steps as shown. If you miss out a step the first time round, don’t worry. Just
carry on with the sequence of moves and complete the treatment. There is no need to redo any of
the moves or start again.
8. If you are treating a young baby (<3 months), be sure to carry out the moves slowly and very
gently. Young babies are more receptive to slow and gentle movement. A slow move involves taking
the skin slack back very slowly and gently and carrying out the rolling motion slowly.
9. If your baby seems agitated, upset or in distress, slowing down the moves and taking short breaks
(10-15 seconds) in between each pair of moves will help soothe and calm your baby.
10. Observe your baby for signs that he/she is responding to the treatment. E.g. filling the nappy, the
baby is quiet , calmer and sleeping better. Remember that Baby Bowen continues to work for a few
days even though the benefits may not be immediately apparent.
11. If your baby continues to respond to the1st treatment, do not treat your baby again until you
feel he/she is showing signs of distress or pain.
12. My advice is to treat your baby once every 5 days or once a week. However, all babies are
different and some require more frequent treatment. Do not treat your baby more than once a day.
This is not necessary and could interfere with the Bowen signals from the previous treatment.
13. If you are unsure about whether the treatment is working or if you have done it correctly, it is
best to leave it for a few days (48-72 hours) before treating again. Every baby benefits from each
Bowen session even though you may not notice the effects.
14. After a Bowen session, your baby may be feeling quite sleepy and tired. Try and reduce
stimulation e.g. noisy environments, bright lights etc.
15. Lastly, treat yourself to a Bowen session too!!

Baby Bowen Case Studies
The Young Baby
Jonah was a premature baby born at 29 weeks. His parents contacted me to schedule a Bowen
session when he was 8 weeks old. Jonah suffered from severe reflux, gas and bloating. On top of
that he also had eczema and breathing difficulties diagnosed as asthma. He would scream and cry
four hours after a feed sometimes bringing up all his milk. Exhausted, he would fall asleep but then
wake up within an hour or so crying again. His Mum was distraught. Not only were they not getting
much sleep but they had their share of medical problems to deal with. They had been to see doctors
and specialists who diagnosed him as a colicky baby, made worse by being premature.
At the first Bowen session, Jonah was clearly a baby with a heightened stress response. His
movements were quick and jerky, his eyes were wide open and he had the expression of someone
on the lookout for danger. We carried out the first Bowen treatment with Jonah on his Mum’s
shoulder for Part 1 and then on her lap for Part 2. I carried out the moves slowly and with plenty of
breaks in between. I sensed that any sudden movement would send Jonah into an anxious state. Just
before we ended the session, Jonah gave a huge sigh and simply ‘melted’ into his Mum’s arms. He
was finally relaxing. Jonah slept for 3 hours straight (longer than ever before) and that night he slept
for 4 hours, had a feed and then went back to sleep for another 3 hours. His parents were amazed.
His sleep, reflux and colicky symptoms continued to improve.
I taught his Mum the Baby Bowen moves and she treated him again 5 days later when he seemed to
be getting some tummy pain. After the second session, she reported that “he is like a different
baby”. Jonah has top-up Bowen sessions every few months when he needs it.
The ‘Peppa’ Case

Salim was 2 months old when I met him. His parents were worried about his breathing. His Dad
described him as snorting like ‘Peppa Pig’. He would sleep, start snorting and then wake up crying as
though he could not breathe. After numerous GP appointments they were told to keep him from
lying down flat. Salim had a build up of mucous which clogged up his airways when he was lying flat.
He also suffered from numerous coughs and colds.
I treated him and taught his parents the moves. On the second day, Dad called to say there didn’t
seem to be any improvement in his breathing but he seemed happier in himself. He asked if he
should carry out the treatment again. I advised him to wait a couple of days. I felt that since Salim
felt happier, Bowen was probably still working in his little body. On the 4th day, Dad called to report
that Salim had a ‘massive poo’ and vomit. Both poo and vomit were full of clear mucous. Their initial
reaction was to see their GP as they suspected a vomiting bug or food poisoning. Salim was perfectly
fine and the GP sent them home without any medication. That night, Salim slept soundly. His body
had expelled the mucous and he was no longer congested.
A week later Dad treated Salim again and once again he expelled the mucous, this time on the day of
the treatment itself. Salim is no longer snorting and he is now able to lie flat in his cot. His immune
system is much stronger and he is much less prone to coughs and colds.

The Anxious Baby
Alexandra is a classic example of an anxious baby. She was born at 42 weeks after an induced labour
that resulted in a C-section. She weighed 4.1 kg, well above the average birth weight. Alexandra’s
parents came to see me when she was 8 weeks old. She had no problems feeding and didn’t display
any of the normal colicky symptoms but she had difficulty sleeping. She would not sleep for more
than 20 minutes without waking up crying and needing to be soothed, and this was normally on
Mum’s breast. After 8 weeks of not sleeping both Mum and Dad were at their wits’ end.
‘She seems to be fighting sleep all the time. She never seems to sleep deeply and even the slightest
sound wakes her. She startles very easily and this can quickly escalate into full blown hysterics.
Nothing seems to work. She doesn’t like the car seat or being pushed in a pram. The sling works best
but even then she only sleeps for 20 minutes at a time. She seems really jangled! ’ said Mum.
After the first Bowen treatment, Alexandra slept for 3 hours straight at night, for the very first time.
She continues to respond very well to the treatments and is now treated by her parents once a week.
In my opinion, Alexandra’s nervous system may have been pushed out of balance by her experience
at birth. Being a full term, physically well-developed baby, she did not show any classic signs of colic,
but the imbalance manifested as anxiety. This prevented her from ‘switching off’ and sleeping. As
adults, we experience this in times of stress when our nervous systems are also imbalanced.
Olive is another example of an anxious baby with difficulty falling asleep. Have a look at the video
below:
Olive and Sam
The Colicky Baby and Post Natal Depression (PND)

James came for his first Bowen session with his grandmother Lucy. He was 9 weeks old and had
problems with wind and gas. He would cry for hours after a feed and had difficulty sleeping. During
the consultation, Lucy mentioned that James’s symptoms seemed to start at about 3 weeks of age
and about the same time, his Mum was being treated for post natal depression. She wondered if
they could be related. My answer is absolutely. PND affects Mum’s ability to interact with her baby.
This can have a detrimental effect on the development of the baby’s nervous system, specifically at
the social engagement level. Babies are also very aware of feelings and will feel insecure when they
sense fear, anger, tension or sadness. There is also a theory that depression alters the chemical
components in breastmilk causing indigestion and colic in babies.
Lucy convinced Karen (James’ mother) to come for a Bowen session. After the first session, James’
symptoms improved but reverted back after 3 days. After the second session (both Mum and baby
were treated), Mum was feeling much more balanced and less anxious. James didn’t need another
Bowen session for 2 weeks. I treated both Mum and Baby every 2 weeks for 2 months. I now treat
the whole family including Dad!

Summary
Baby Bowen is a very safe and gentle yet highly effective therapy that helps rebalance the
nervous system.
Babies are born with an immature nervous system with reduced vagal tone.
Trauma at birth can tip the nervous system into the fight-or-flight (sympathetic) mode.
Reduced vagal tone makes it difficult for the nervous system to rebalance.
A heightened sympathetic nervous system can cause colicky symptoms such as indigestion,
reflux, muscular tension, anxiety and sleep issues.
Baby Bowen promotes parasympathetic activity and aids in the development of vagal tone
and the nervous system leading to a calmer more balanced baby.


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20. Baby Bowen Case Studies 45

Thank you for choosing this guide.

I hope it will prove to be a dependable companion throughout motherhood.

Dr. Carolyn Goh

Congratulations on the birth of your lovely baby!

However, the first few weeks are the most challenging

It’s no wonder you’ve been walking around like a zombie!

It is not just the lack of sleep, it is the overwhelming

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What about babies then? What do they go through at birth?

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Me: It must be exhausting. How are you doing?

Leah: Oh perfect! It would be great if there is something I could do to help her.

3 days later I received this email from Leah.

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When can we come back?

Demonstrating the procedure.

Leah: Wow...it’s so simple and gentle.

Leah: Yes, she likes her bath.

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Leah & Jane

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Fig 1: The branches of the autonomic nervous system

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A high vagal tone indicates a responsive vagal nerve that

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This is explained using Porges’ Polyvagal theory.

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This is where Baby Bowen is of great help.

How to help your baby’s vagal tone develop

Reduced vagal tone is much more pronounced in premature

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There appears to be a higher incidence of colic in

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Imbalance in Nervous System

Digestion Breathing Muscles Anxiety, Stress

GAS GAS GAS

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As adults, if we eat our food in a rush, or during

The symptoms of indigestion such as bloating,

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Breathing and Airways

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One of the least-researched causes of colic is tension in the

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Umbilical Shock & Colic

The result of this is that there can be a significant amount of stress

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1. Baby Bowen to rebalance and support development of the nervous system.

2. Homeopathy for symptom soothing.

4. Face-to-face interaction to aid development of your baby’s social engagement system

5. Baby massage and soothing/calming activites (e.g. swaddling, rocking).

For. Maya, Gaia & Jacob

For. Maya, Gaia & Jacob