Gentle Craniosacral Therapy for Babies, Children & Teens in Portland, Oregon

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach to bodywork that can be adapted to the needs of infants, children, and teenagers. Each session is individualized, with attention to the child’s age, comfort, temperament, and natural patterns of movement.

At Alice Palmeri LMT in Southwest Portland, I provide a calm, supportive environment where children are welcomed just as they are. Sessions are never about making a child stay still or follow a prescribed routine. Instead, I work at the child’s pace, paying attention to their cues and adjusting the session to what feels comfortable for them.

Parents are an important part of this process. You are welcome to stay close, hold your baby, ask questions, and share observations about your child’s needs and experiences.

Craniosacral Therapy for Infants

The first months of life bring enormous changes for babies and their families. Parents may notice feeding difficulties, unsettled behavior, trouble sleeping, or difficulty getting comfortable. Sometimes these concerns arise alongside a history of a difficult birth, feeding challenges, or a diagnosed or suspected tongue-tie.

Infant craniosacral sessions offer a gentle, attentive setting in which to focus on your baby’s comfort and individual needs.

Parents commonly seek infant craniosacral therapy when their babies experience:

• Feeding challenges: Concerns involving latching, feeding coordination, or comfort during feeding.

• Tongue-tie concerns: Babies with a diagnosed or suspected tongue-tie may have additional feeding-related concerns. Craniosacral therapy does not release or correct a tongue-tie, but gentle bodywork may be considered as a complementary part of a broader care plan.

• Fussiness and difficulty settling: For babies who seem uncomfortable, have difficulty relaxing, or are hard to soothe.

• Colic-related concerns: Parents looking for gentle, supportive care while navigating periods of frequent crying or unsettled behavior.

• Sleep difficulties: Babies who have trouble settling, seem restless, or have difficulty getting comfortable.

• Birth and early adjustment: Parents who would like their baby’s birth history and early experiences to be considered as part of an individualized session.

Every baby is different. Rather than assuming that one concern has one cause, I take time to listen to your observations and learn what you are noticing about your baby.

A Baby-Led Approach to Each Session

Infants do not need to lie still or remain on a treatment table to receive care. Your baby may be held in your arms or rest comfortably nearby, depending on their age and preferences. We can pause for feeding, cuddling, diaper changes, or simply taking a break.

I pay attention to your baby’s natural movements, positioning, comfort, and responses throughout the session. The work is gentle and adapted to the baby’s cues rather than following a fixed sequence of techniques.

We can also talk about your baby’s feeding patterns, sleep, temperament, birth history, and the concerns that brought you in. Your observations as a parent are valuable, and they help guide the session.

Craniosacral Therapy for Babies, Children & Teens

As children grow, their needs and ways of communicating change. Older babies may be curious and active, while toddlers and school-age children may prefer to move around, play, talk, or take time to become comfortable in a new setting.

Sessions are adapted to the child’s developmental stage, personality, and comfort level. I use a gentle approach that respects each child’s boundaries and allows them to participate in ways that feel natural to them.

Parents may seek craniosacral therapy for children who:

• Have difficulty settling or relaxing

• Seem uncomfortable or have difficulty finding comfortable positions

• Are sensitive to touch or changes in their environment

• Have experienced a stressful or difficult period

• Would benefit from quiet, individualized bodywork as part of their overall wellness routine

For children and teens, sessions may incorporate gentle craniosacral techniques alongside other age-appropriate bodywork approaches, depending on the child’s needs and comfort.

What Makes Pediatric Craniosacral Sessions Different?

Working with babies and children requires flexibility, patience, and an understanding that every child communicates differently.

A session may look quite different from one child to another. Some babies relax while being held by a parent. Older children may prefer to move around or take time to become familiar with the room. Some children enjoy quiet, while others need conversation or reassurance.

There is no expectation that a child behave a certain way or remain still throughout the appointment. I follow the child’s cues and adjust the session accordingly.

My goal is to create a positive, respectful experience in which your child feels safe, comfortable, and supported.

Working Alongside Your Child’s Healthcare Team

Craniosacral therapy is a complementary form of bodywork. It is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment, and it does not diagnose or correct medical conditions.

Feeding difficulties, suspected tongue-tie, persistent crying, sleep concerns, and other ongoing symptoms deserve appropriate evaluation by your child’s pediatrician and, when relevant, a qualified lactation consultant, feeding specialist, or other healthcare professional.

I welcome a collaborative approach and encourage parents to continue working with their child’s healthcare providers. Craniosacral therapy can be considered as a complementary wellness service when appropriate.

What to Expect at Your Child’s Appointment

Your first appointment includes time to talk about your child’s history, your concerns, and what you hope to get from the session. For infants, this may include discussion of birth history, diagnosed issues, feeding, sleep, and patterns of fussiness or comfort.

You remain with your child throughout the appointment. Babies can be held, fed, or comforted as needed. Most babies prefer to be held or nurse during their session. Older children can take breaks and become familiar with the space at their own pace.

There is no single way a session needs to unfold. The approach is guided by your child’s comfort and individual needs.

Gentle Craniosacral Therapy in Southwest Portland

I provide craniosacral therapy for infants, babies, children, and teens at Alice Palmeri Massage Therapeutics in Southwest Portland, Oregon. Families visit from throughout the Portland area, including Beaverton, Tigard, and Lake Oswego.

If you have questions about whether craniosacral therapy may be appropriate for your child, I welcome you to get in touch. We can talk about your concerns and whether this gentle, individualized approach may be a good fit.