About
Belen Vazquez
BA (Hons), MSc Nutrition, Dip NT, Dip CST, mNTOI, mIACST, IBT
Belén is a baby colic specialist, working with babies and children through nutrition and craniosacral therapy.
- Founder of Belen Optimum Health
- Registered Nutritional Therapist
- Registered Craniosacral Therapist
- Integrative Baby therapy practitioner (IBT)
- MSc (distinction) Personalised Nutrition, Middlesex University/CNELM
- Published in scientific journal on the topic of maternal diet for colic relief
Belen's expertise in natural health solutions for babies and children is supported by 20 years of clinical experience, extensive training in multiple complementary health modalities, and a foundation in scientific research.
My Story
My path to becoming a baby colic specialist and a baby and children nutritionist, and craniosacral therapist started with my own children. They have been my greatest inspiration and the driving force behind the creation of Belén Optimum Health.
The birth of my first child sparked my interest in natural approaches to health and well-being. A baby offers a chance to reconnect with the fundamentals, which inspired me to pursue training in holistic massage.
Six years later, my child’s school principal recommended an assessment for dyslexia and dyspraxia. In addition, he was experiencing agitation and emotional vulnerability.
This became a pivotal moment for me—a crossroads where many parents feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Naturally, I was offered standard care support for my child, but my inquisitive nature pushed me to dig deeper and explore beyond conventional approaches.
By sheer coincidence, I crossed paths with a kinesiologist who identified my child’s gluten intolerance—an often-overlooked condition 15 years ago.
To my amazement, within just two weeks on a gluten-free diet, he was spelling with confidence, his handwriting became more consistent, and he appeared noticeably calmer and more at ease. As a result, the school no longer saw the need for an assessment.
I was stunned. How could eliminating a single food component like gluten have such an immediate and profound impact on my child’s learning and behaviour? It was a remarkable example of the gut-brain connection in action.
Formative years
To understand how the gut and brain communicate to maintain health, it's crucial to look at how various body systems—such as the digestive, immune, nervous, and structural/fascial systems—work together. For example, food, nutrition, toxins, emotions, stress, and trauma play a significant role in influencing the gut-brain and maintaining health.
In 2009, 2011, and 2018, I pursued training in systematic kinesiology, craniosacral therapy, and nutritional therapy. This holistic journey set me on a lifelong path of learning and discovery.
My professional path has closely mirrored my personal journey. For instance, while training in craniosacral therapy, I found out I was pregnant with my third child. During this time, I applied everything I had learned—nutrition, body-based therapies, and mindfulness—into nurturing the growth of my baby.
Feeling confident, healthy, and supported by an experienced midwife, I chose a homebirth. This transformative experience shifted my perspective on the significance of the early days of life.
At the time, I was working with adult clients with a wide range of ailments. After that, I began to realise that many of the health concerns we encounter later in life are rooted in early childhood and infancy.
Reflection...
- What if we adopted a natural, holistic approach to these critical early years?
- What if children received comprehensive environmental, nutritional, and emotional support from infancy?
- What if women were provided with the same level of support both before and after childbirth?
These considerations sparkled the creation of Belén Optimum Health.
Expanding education and practice
The past few years have been crucial in deepening my understanding of environmental factors that influence babies and children from conception through their early years.
As a baby and children nutritionist, I immersed myself in the world of science, earning a Master's degree in Personalised Nutrition and conducting research on the benefits of personalised nutritional advice for colic relief (just published!).
Further, as a craniosacral therapist for babies and children, I explored the fascinating field of pre- and perinatal psychology. These tools have enabled me to value a child’s story, interpret body language, and develop techniques to support babies and children in processing challenging experiences
Final thoughts
My children have led me down a holistic path. As a mother of three, I have gained valuable firsthand experience in raising my kids. For instance, I have had the chance to put into practice the tools I use in clinic, the foods and recipes I recommend to families as well as everyday parenting principles to help children develop in confidence and safety.
I am excited to share my knowledge and clinical expertise to help parents give their children the best possible start in life.
Qualifications and Professional memberships
- Master's Degree in Personalised Nutrition awarded by Middlesex University in collaboration with the Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM), London 2023
- Integrative Baby Therapy training, Conscious Embodiment, Bristol 2022
- Institute for Functional Medicine, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP UK), London 2018
- Nutritional Therapy Diploma, Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), London 2018
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Diploma, Body Intelligence Training, Dublin, 2013
- Systematic Kinesiology Diploma, The Academy of Systematic Kinesiology (ASK), Dublin, 2011
- Member of NTOI (Irish Association of Nutritional Therapists)
- Member of the NMI (Nutritional Medecine Institute)
- Member of IACST (Irish Association of Craniosacral Therapy)
- Member of IMTA (Irish Massage therapists Association)
- Fully insured for professional liability with Balens Ltd
- Garda vetted, July 2018 (according to the Irish children & vulnerable persons Acts 2012 & 2016)
- First Aid certificate
Post-grad training
I belong to three professional associations, NTOI, IACST and IMTA which require CPD. I attend approximately 20 different events a year, from conferences, workshops and webinars to keep up with new developments in my areas of expertise and meet CPD requirements. I am also a certified Irish Life Health practitioner and a member of my local Chamber of Commerce.
Media
I co-authored a published study that validates the use of personalised maternal dietary advice for colic relief.
Explore the colic-maternal diet connection in this interview for the ION Newsletter
My practice was featured in the Integrative Healthcare and Applied Nutrition (IHCAN) magazine
IACST Webinar for craniosacral therapy practitioners
OurBirthJourney Webinar for health practitioners
I am an eager communicator. For media inquiries or speaking requests, please email info@belenoptimumhealth.com.
Follow Me
These first few weeks of September, I’ve seen several toddlers and primary-school children who are finding the transition back to school difficult 🚧
And it’s not unusual for this to show up as:
* More emotional
* More irritable
* Restless or hyperactive
* Withdrawn or exhausted
* More resistant to everyday requests
But rather than looking only at the behaviour, I always like to ask: what might be driving it? 🌊
📢 For some children, the return to school means a huge increase in sensory input, i.e. noise, movement, people, instructions and constant stimulation
👨👩👧 They also have less access to their usual safety network. Mum or Dad aren`t there to help them regulate when things feel overwhelming.
📐And there are more demands and less flexibility: following instructions, transitioning between activities and managing expectations throughout the day.
For some children, this can leave their nervous system working much harder than usual. Often, what we see at home is simply where all that accumulated stress comes out😩
If your child is struggling with the transition back to school, I can help you look at the whole picture from nervous-system regulation and sensory needs to nutrition, digestion and the foundations that support your child`s ability to cope and adapt 🦋 🧠 🥗 🌳
#gutbrainconnection #backtoschool #emotionalregulation #dublinparents #malahidemums
You don’t have to leave the house to get the support your child needs 🌿
This week, I’ve had several online consultations with parents, and I have to say, I really love connecting with families in this way.
There is something lovely about being able to talk from the comfort of home, without the journey to the clinic, and often with everyone feeling a little more relaxed.
Online doesn’t mean less personal. Through screen sharing, I am able to show resources and diagrams, talk through photos, and even demonstrate exercises with videos from my video library.
From a discovery call to ongoing consultations, we can look at the bigger picture:
✨ Feeding & eating
✨ Digestion & gut health
✨ Behaviour & mood
✨ Nervous system
✨ Development
And turn what we discover into practical, personalised steps you can use at home. Support doesn’t always have to mean another journey or another thing to fit into your day. Sometimes, it can begin with a conversation from your own home 🧡
When your baby cries, it can be hard to know what they’re trying to tell you. Is it colic, reflux, tummy discomfort, overstimulation, tighness or an unsettled nervous system?
Babies dont just cry a lot without a reason.
I help you uncover the WHY to help
👶 Babies feel.calmer, happier
🤱 Parents feel calmer, more confident and supported
#malahidebabytherapy
A Whole Child approach. These are typical examples from this week at the clinic.
#GutHealthKids #malahidechildrensclinic #wholechildapproach
☀️ We`re back! ☀️
After a lovely summer break, we`re excited to welcome families back to the clinic!!
We continue to support babies, toddlers, and school-aged children with a personalised, whole-child approach to health. Whether you`re looking for help with digestion, feeding, sleep, neurodivergence, sensory challenges, or overall wellbeing, we`re here to help you understand the why behind your child`s symptoms and create a plan that`s tailored to your child.
💚 Our goal is to help children build strong health foundations so they can thrive.
📍 Appointments are now available.
📞 If you`re new to the clinic and wondering whether we`re the right fit, book a free 15-minute discovery call (bio). We`d love to hear about your child`s needs and answer any questions you may have.
#Malahide #DublinParents #ChildNutrition #PaediatricNutrition #BabyHealth #ToddlerHealth #ChildHealth #Neurodivergence #SensorySupport #GutHealth #FeedingSupport #SleepSupport
🍃 Looking Beyond Behaviour with children with neurodivergence
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing what happens when we begin supporting the gut and nutrition.
Parents often tell me their child starts sleeping better, feeling calmer, become more curious around foods, and engaged with the world around them.
Because sometimes, looking beyond behaviour means looking after the body first.
💡If this speaks to you, then grab my free `Gut Approach to Neurodivergence` handout for parents in bio.
🌱 Nourish the roots. Support the brain. Help your child thrive.
#LookingBeyondBehaviour #AutismSupport #ADHDParenting #NeurodivergentChildren #GutBrainConnection
Neurodivergent child - Looking beyond behaviour
What if we`ve been asking the wrong question? 💛
When a child is struggling, it`s easy to focus on the behaviour.
* The meltdowns
* The selective eating
* The poor sleep
* The anxiety
* The tummy aches
* The sensory overwhelm
But what if behaviour isn`t the whole story?
What if it`s the body`s way of saying, "Something doesn`t feel right."
Over the next few weeks, I`d love to share a different way of looking at neurodivergence—one that goes beyond symptoms and explores the connections between the gut, brain and nervous system.
It`s about helping children feel more comfortable in their own bodies, so they have the best opportunity to learn, connect and thrive.
If you`re a parent of a neurodivergent child, I hope this series helps you make sense of some of the pieces of the puzzle—and reminds you that you don`t have to figure it all out on your own.
🌱 Nourish the roots. Support the brain. Help children reach their full potential.
#AutismSupport #ADHDParenting #NeurodivergentChildren #SelectiveEating #GutBrainConnection #ChildNutrition #AutismParents #ChildWellbeing
Picky eaters, more than just behavior 😀
💙 hear about common physiological causes of food avoidance in children.
🧡 Learn about Alex and how healing the gut ended food fussiness (link in bio)
Check what parents are saying...
The assessment was thorough to get a full picture of the issues. Belén recommended a combination of different techniques and she worked with great care and sensitivity, making the treatment as comfortable as possible.
We are hugely grateful, the treatment has made a big difference to our baby’s health and feeding is much easier for her now.
