A FUNCTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR PAEDIATRIC PROFESSIONALS

This is what treating babies was always supposed to feel like.

Not more information to absorb and file away. A structured framework for history, examination and treatment, built around real infant cases, so you walk out knowing exactly what to do next time a baby is on your table.

Five sessions, four live calls, and everything you need to walk into your next infant appointment with confidence.

Why Baby Moves

The course covers current updates on postural asymmetry of infancy (including plagiocephaly) and how to clearly identify and treat preferences in your paediatric patients, which means you know exactly what you are looking at and what to do about it, from the very first appointment.
You will learn how to take a paediatric case history so that you can ask the right questions and know what the answers mean.
You will walk away with a structured, easy to follow examination sequence so that you never miss anything.
You will learn the simple, effective Baby Moves treatment approach, based on principles and supported by techniques so you can achieve the best clinical outcomes for your paediatric patients, in the shortest amount of time.
You will see the presentations of REAL infants, so that when a baby lands on your table, you already know what you are looking at. You will learn how to adapt your approach to any infant presentation, and how you can get creative and have fun when treating infants!

“I absolutely loved Dr Melissa McDougall’s Baby Moves course.”

It offered a clear and practical process for treating babies, supported by real patient examples that made the learning both relatable and applicable straight away. Melissa is a wealth of knowledge with a unique perspective on paediatric care that every practitioner should hear. This course is not just informative—it’s essential.

Betsy, North Canberra Osteopathy

SESSION 1: INTRO TO PLAGIOCEPHALY, POSTURAL & FUNCTIONAL ASYMMETRY IN INFANTS

In this module you’ll learn:

Definition of brachycephaly and plagiocephaly, prevalence and our window of opportunity to create change.
How to identify the postural pattern that underlies the head shape, the cause.
Plagiocephaly vs craniosynostosis key differences
Postural asymmetry of infancy, physiological vs non-physiological
Early signs of Cerebral Palsy and how to screen infants at risk.

94%
of participants
found this lecture
extremely
helpful

SESSION 2: TAKING A HISTORY: WHAT TO ASK AND WHY.

In this module you’ll learn:

Why your time, connection, and communication with the parent is so important
The best question prompts and communication examples (plus a Cliniko template for your own use!)
Why it is VERY important to understand postural and functional preferences and motor challenges. Movement IS the infant’s first language and will tell us a lot about where they need support.
SLEEP, RESP, FEEDING, GI AND SKIN what is normal and what’s not. Plus how these sections inform our treatment.
Importance of the gestational and birth history
How to circle back and make sure you’ve understood the parents concerns and expectations of the visit

– 20 years experience summarised in this lecture!

100%
of participants
found this lecture
extremely
helpful

SESSION 3: OSTEOPATHIC EXAMINATION OF THE INFANT

In this module you’ll learn:

The 13 key areas to consider when assessing the infant
How to make sure an infant is healthy, and red flags for referral
How postural preference in the sagittal plane can tell us about the infants autonomic state
Why primitive reflex EXPRESSION matters, and how this can be disrupted by postural asymmetry
Detailed video examples demonstrating how to examine muscle tone, primitive reflexes 0-6 months, AROM, PROM, oral function, PLUS MORE! So you KNOW what’s normal and what’s not
Anatomy of the infant cranium and how to work out the infants cranial strain pattern
How to measure plagiocephlay / brachycephaly

… and lots more!

100%
of participants
found this lecture
extremely
helpful

SESSION 4: TREATMENT PRINCIPLES

In this module you’ll learn:

Introduction to the BABY MOVES APPROACH:
One way of treating… not the only way!
Based on principles, not techniques (but techniques are demonstrated).
Includes a gentle multi-sensory, direct approach, with indirect/cranial/ biodynamic awareness.
Focuses on the individual infants strengths to help them overcome challenges.
Includes active support to help overcome challenges.
Supports multiple areas of infant function and development.
Includes activities for the family to continue at home.
Is outcome focused.

– 20 years experience summarised in this lecture!

100%
of participants
found this lecture
extremely
helpful

SESSION 5: GUEST BABIES

In this module you’ll learn:

LIVE case studies of THREE infants aged 6 weeks, 11 weeks and 5 months
Each infants clinical history is presented, followed by:
Examination: (using Baby Moves examination sequence) and how this can be adapted for the infants age
Working Diagnosis: summary of findings for each infant, and how a treatment plan is developed
Treatment: LIVE full treatment of each infant – and principles of retesting so you KNOW your treatment was effective
This session is followed by 30min of Q&A covering a wide range of general topics for practice!

100%
of participants
found this lecture
extremely
helpful

coming in 2027

BABY MOVES: A FUNCTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR PAEDIATRIC PROFESSIONALS

A structured framework for history, examination and treatment, built around real infant cases, so you walk out knowing exactly what to do next time a baby is on your table.

2027 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

LIFETIME ACCESS

Intro to Plagiocephaly, Postural & Functional Asymmetry in Infants
Taking a History: What to ask and why.
Osteopathic Examination of the Infant
Treatment Principles
Guest Babies: Case Studies
Q&A
INCLUDES Paediatric History Template (formatted for Cliniko)
INCLUDES photos and instructions of our most useful BABY MOVES Exercises for Parents at home (formatted for Physitrack)
BONUS X4 LIVE VIDEO CALLS to expand on course content, answer your questions and discuss real life cases
16 CPD hours

Enrolments for the first cohort closed on 16 September 2026.

The next cohort runs in 2027. Dates and enrolment details will be announced on Thursday 10 December 2026.

TESTIMONiALS

After finishing this course I felt like if a baby landed on my lap and I was asked to treat it I could do so and feel confident that I could do it well, which as someone who has only treated a handful of babies in my career is not something I would have said before.
I feel so empowered and educated thanks to the incredible amount of detail and information that I have absorbed from the two days but that I also get sent home with and can refer to. I loved it all and will be keeping an eye out for any additional courses that Baby Moves do in the future.
Thank you Mel, your skills in this field are incredible and we are so lucky to learn from you.
Jess, Growing Bones
The Baby Moves course offers a structured way of examining a baby and then formulating a treatment plan based on those findings.
It’s clear that Melissa is passionate about her approach but is also very skilled at delivering content in a clear and concise manner.
One of the best CPD courses I’ve attended in 14 years!
I would highly recommend for any osteopath who is new to treating babies or has already been doing so as there’s so much to take away from the course.
Vivienne, Osteopaths of Bentleigh
I absolutely loved Dr Melissa McDougall’s Baby Moves course.
It offered a clear and practical process for treating babies, supported by real patient examples that made the learning both relatable and applicable straight away. Melissa is a wealth of knowledge with a unique perspective on paediatric care that every practitioner should hear. This course is not just informative—it’s essential.
Betsy, North Canberra Osteopathy
Melissa’s course is both incredibly informative and highly practical.
The content was well-structured and delivered in a way that was easy to apply to real-life clinical practice. I would highly recommend this course to any osteopath looking to further their knowledge and improve their approach to treating babies.
Jessica, take2health
I was very impressed by this course. I found it interesting, engaging and felt like it had something to offer for those just starting to more experienced with treating peads patients.
It was an interesting and very achievable approach to treating asymmetrical movements and patterns. I used ideas and techniques the next day in clinic. It was a very professional and well put together course which showed a lot of work and effort as well as thought in how to present and share the knowledge and resources. I would highly recommend.
Baby Moves Participant, September 2025
The course was extremely informative and taught practical, ready to use information for treating infants, for all levels of practitioner experience.
Mel is a great presenter with clear and easy to understand language and method. The whole weekend was engaging and incredibly useful for practice. Thank you.
Michelle, Drouin Osteopathy
I really loved this course. Melissa is extremely knowledgeable and generous in sharing her expertise.
The course was well-structured, approachable, and directly applicable to practice.
Kathryn, Drouin Osteopathy
I really enjoyed the Baby Moves course.
I left feeling confident and reassured in treating paediatric patients, with an easy approach to examination and treatment that doesn’t feel overwhelming or difficult to remember. Thank you Melissa!
Jodie, Drouin Osteopathy
This course left me feeling calm and motivated to treat infants.
I would recommend to anyone thinking about treating babies but unsure where to begin.
Marlee, Axis Osteopathy and Movement

The Presenter:

Melissa McDougall B.Sc.(Clin.Sc.) M.H.Sc. (Osteo) D.P.O. IBCLC Advanced Paediatric Osteopath (as awarded by Osteopathy Australia in 2021-2024 and 2025-2027)

Melissa traveled to the UK to complete the Diploma of Paediatric Osteopathy (2009-2011), having the privilege to work alongside osteopaths with over 40 years experience.

She has now been working in paediatrics for almost 20 years, and is passionate about the role of osteopathy supporting infants, young children and their families.

Melissa has helped multiple osteopaths transition into treating infants through private mentoring at her multidisciplinary practice Growing Bones.

Melissa has completed further studies in:

The identification and referral pathways for infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy The Early Start Denver Model for young children at risk or diagnosed autistic
Breastfeeding support- qualified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Orofacial myology and breathing support
Primitive Reflex Integration (the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP), Move to Learn, Bilateral Integration)
Therapeutic listening (Johansen Individualised Auditory Stimulation (JIAS))

Twenty years. Multiple disciplines. One framework. Everything Melissa has learned across osteopathy, lactation, and neurodevelopment is distilled into what she teaches inside Baby Moves.

Qualifications

Bachelor Science (Clinical Science)
Master Health Science (Osteopathy)
Diploma Paediatric Osteopathy
Advanced Paediatric Osteopath (as awarded by Osteopathy Australia, 2021-2024 and 2025-2028)
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (I.B.C.L.C).

INCLUSIONS

Wouldn’t it be great if you walked away from this online course ready to start treating babies?

Baby Moves for Professionals is making that as easy as possible! You will receive:

BONUS: PAEDIATRIC HISTORY TEMPLATE FOR CLINIKO
“I will forget what to ask.” Not anymore.
Built around the Baby Moves history process, formatted and ready to load into Cliniko. Every field included, with notes on why each one matters. You just follow it.
BONUS: PAEDIATRIC EXAMINATION SEQUENCE
The Baby Moves examination mapped as a visual flow you can follow in clinic. Supine caudal to cephalad, supported sitting, prone, and the key assessments through the head and neck including oral function. One page. Keep it at your desk.
BONUS: BABY MOVES EXERCISES FOR PARENTS
“I never know what to send parents home with.” Now you do.
Photos and step-by-step instructions of the most effective Baby Moves home activities, formatted to upload directly into Physitrack. Ready to send from your very first appointment.

Wouldn’t it be great if you COULD RECEIVE SUPPORT AS YOU LEARN?

You can. And honestly, this might be the most valuable part of the whole course.

Four live video calls with Melissa, scheduled throughout the course. Each week you learn the content, try it in clinic, then bring your real questions to the call. Your cases, your patients, your specific challenges. That is where the learning really lands.

Cases can be shared with parental permission for specific clinical feedback. All four calls recorded and accessible for 12 months.

Learn it. Try it. Come back with questions. THAT IS GOLD!

“Highly recommended”

The Baby Moves course offers a structured way of examining a baby and then formulating a treatment plan based on those findings. It’s clear that Melissa is passionate about her approach but is also very skilled at delivering content in a clear and concise manner. One of the best CPD courses I’ve attended in 14 years! I would highly recommend for any osteopath who is new to treating babies or has already been doing so as there’s so much to take away from the course.

Vivienne, Osteopaths of Bentleigh

coming in 2027

BABY MOVES: A FUNCTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR PAEDIATRIC PROFESSIONALS

A structured framework for history, examination and treatment, built around real infant cases, so you walk out knowing exactly what to do next time a baby is on your table.

2027 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

LIFETIME ACCESS

Intro to Plagiocephaly, Postural & Functional Asymmetry in Infants
Taking a History: What to ask and why.
Osteopathic Examination of the Infant
Treatment Principles
Guest Babies: Case Studies
Q&A
INCLUDES Paediatric History Template (formatted for Cliniko)
INCLUDES photos and instructions of our most useful BABY MOVES Exercises for Parents at home (formatted for Physitrack)
BONUS X4 LIVE VIDEO CALLS to expand on course content, answer your questions and discuss real life cases
16 CPD hours

Enrolments for the first cohort closed on 16 September 2026.

The next cohort runs in 2027. Dates and enrolment details will be announced on Thursday 10 December 2026.