The first years of life represent a crucial phase in a child’s development. During this vulnerable period, the foundations are laid for physical, cognitive, emotional and relational development.
The questions and concerns parents present during this period—related to feeding, sleep, regulation, development and physical functioning—form a substantial part of paediatric osteopathic consultations and constitute the thematic foundation of this programme.
In this programme, osteopaths learn to approach young children and their parents through a gentle, safe and respectful way of working, where careful contact, clinical reasoning and thoughtful manual treatment are central.
By integrating observation of the child, the parents’ narrative and precise palpatory perception, osteopaths develop a nuanced understanding of the child’s needs and learn to act safely within an integrated healthcare context.
Why this programme?
The demand for osteopathic care for babies and young children has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, working with children in their first years of life requires specific knowledge, clinical insight and a high degree of care.
- “Which knowledge and competencies are required to ensure confident and competent practice with this paediatric population?”
- “In what ways can osteopathic principles be integrated with contemporary understandings of development, self-regulation, and paediatric care?”
This programme has been developed to support osteopaths in addressing these questions. The most common clinical presentations form the basis of seven thematic modules in which theory, clinical reasoning and manual skills are closely integrated.
The programme is delivered by an experienced team of lecturers and osteopaths with extensive clinical expertise in working with babies and young children. Their knowledge and experience are shared through teaching, clinical cases and collaborative learning.
This results in a coherent and practice-oriented programme that integrates clinical experience, osteopathic principles and contemporary insights into early childhood development.
The programme forms the foundation of a broader paediatric pathway within the IAO, with further modules focusing on children (4–10 years) and adolescents.
Aim of the programme
This programme trains osteopaths to work with confidence, clinical insight and professional responsibility with babies and young children in their first years of life (0–3 years).
It deepens the ability to carefully observe young children, understand their physical signals and integrate these into well-founded clinical reasoning. Manual treatment is always embedded within a safe, development-oriented and relational approach to the child and their environment.
The osteopath learns to act safely and competently within primary care, to recognise relevant pathology, refer appropriately and collaborate effectively within an integrated healthcare network.
What will you learn?
After completing this programme, you will:
- Have a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics and psychology to work with the developing child in osteopathic practice.
- Assess and treat babies and young children safely and in a developmentally appropriate way.
- Distinguish between normal developmental variations and clinically relevant signs and red flags.
- Develop strong clinical reasoning and apply the biomechanical, neurological, respiratory-circulatory, metabolic and behavioural models.
- Understand and support the mental health of babies and young children, working with body-oriented approaches, mentalisation and communication to support parents during challenging developmental phases.
- Master body-based and manual techniques adapted to young children
- Guide parents professionally and collaborate within an integrated healthcare network.
Why choose this programme?
1. Strong paediatric foundation
This programme provides a solid foundation for working safely, competently and appropriately with babies and young children.
The focus is on development from conception through the first three years of life. This clearly defined scope allows for an in-depth understanding of early development and its integration into clinical practice.
2. Strengthening professional confidence
Safe and careful practice runs as a continuous thread throughout the programme. Pattern recognition, clinical reasoning and the identification of red flags are systematically developed.
This strengthens professional confidence—both in yourself and in the eyes of parents and other healthcare professionals.
3. Relational and body-oriented approach
Manual skills are developed in connection with communication, co-regulation and collaboration with parents.
4. Unique anatomical insight into the young child
Through the Enatom digital dissection lab, you study anatomical specimens of babies and young children, gaining deeper insight into the developing body.
5. A programme that works with your practice
The programme consists of 7 modules over 18 months, allowing gradual integration of knowledge and skills into your own practice.
6. Diploma and further professional development
Upon successful completion, you obtain the Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy (DPO).
You become part of the paediatric osteopathic community and have the opportunity to continue towards a Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc. Ost.).
Programme structure
The programme consists of 7 modules over 18 months.
The content is based on the most common clinical presentations encountered in the first years of life (0–3 years). Each module focuses on a specific domain of early childhood development and translates this knowledge into osteopathic clinical practice.
Theory, practice and clinical cases are continuously integrated, allowing participants to progressively develop and apply their clinical reasoning and manual skills.
Didactic structure
The programme combines seven contact modules with a guided self-study and application pathway, creating a balanced and practice-oriented learning experience. New knowledge and skills are acquired during the in-person modules and consolidated between modules through self-study, case analyses, practical assignments, reflection and portfolio activities.
The workload is designed to be manageable alongside professional practice, allowing participants to progressively integrate new insights into their own clinical work. Throughout the programme, formative feedback and reflection support continuous learning and professional development, with a strong emphasis on translating theory into safe and confident paediatric osteopathic practice.
Practical information
Target group
Osteopaths wishing to deepen their clinical expertise in working with babies and young children (0–3 years) and position themselves within a modern, multidisciplinary healthcare setting.
Admission requirements
Diploma in Osteopathy (D.O.) and/or MSc. Ost.
IAO MSc students may enter after successful completion of their FCE.
Diploma
Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy (DPO) upon successful completion
