Why would I take my baby to a chiropractor?
Each day in practice I am constantly asked “Wait a minute, you can adjust babies?” “I would never want a chiropractor to crack my baby.” “Won’t that hurt my infant?”
Pediatric chiropractic care is a wonderful natural solution to many of the problems babies present with such as colic, latching difficulties, acid reflux, sleeping issues, and more!
As a new parent, you are the voice of your baby and it is your job to interpret what each and every noise, movement and look means to support your child as they grow and change.
Only chiropractors can look at the spine to determine if there is a misalignment in the joints. Misalignments can lead to tension on the nervous system and can cause the body to function less than optimally. The nervous system plays a role in resting, digesting, immune support, and even hormonal changes. All of these systems need to be functioning at their peak ability as your child is growing each and every day.
What does chiropractic care for a newborn look like?
Chiropractic care for babies looks a lot different than it does for adults. Babies do not have fully developed systems and their muscle tone is less than an adult’s. Newborns don’t have muscle aches and pains, but their discomforts are communicated through their bowel movements, eating patterns, sleep habits, and more.
Chiropractic care for a newborn baby is gentle, low force, and safe. Imagine the amount of pressure you would use to check to make sure a tomato is ripe. This light, low force pressure is what is used during a pediatric chiropractic adjustment. There is no twisting, no popping, no cracking. A pediatric chiropractic adjustment is a gentle vibrational pulses or holds with minimal pressure.
Why would my newborn need to be checked by a chiropractor?
Any time there is any type of physical trauma to your child’s spine this is a good time to have a visit your chiropractor. The first cause of tension on a baby’s spinal column can be as early as in utero and the position they are in inside of the mother’s womb. Maybe they spent 9 months with their arm above their head. Or maybe a leg got caught during delivery. There are a variety of ways your child could have had tension in their bodies before they were even delivered. Birth trauma can also occur. Pressure being applied by the person assisting the birth or a shoulder getting stuck in the birth canal for too long are just two examples of how delivery could cause tension to your baby’s nervous system. Each baby had their own unique experience of descending through the birthing canal or exiting the uterus during a c-section.
These same misalignments can also be caused by everyday repetitive motions. Changing diapers, riding in care seats, how the baby sits and sleeps can aggravate your child’s nervous system. Car seats, swings, rockers, etc. can all put the baby’s spine in a less than optimal position leading to misalignments and tension on the nervous system.
What are some symptoms that my child may have that chiropractic care can help?
- Colic
- Latching Difficulties
- Acid Reflux
- Irregular Sleep Patterns
- Chronic Ear Infections
- Allergic Reactions
Is it safe?
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) has been working on publishing articles showing the safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic care. Out of over 10,000 pediatric chiropractic visits studied, only 17 visits reported treatment related aggravations described as “soreness” or “fussy.” No treatment related complications were reported. This is just one of many studies that show that chiropractic care is safe and effective for children.
***
If you would like to learn more about how Body and Balance can support your family, I invite you to register below for a complimentary Create EASE for Your Baby Consultation.
In this FREE 15-minute session you will:
- Identify the biggest challenge or struggle you and your baby are experiencing.
- Create a clear vision for the kind of infancy you want your baby to have.
- Discover how chiropractic care can support your baby as they grow and develop.
- Develop a plan to keep ease and balance in you and your baby’s lives during this exciting time.
- Leave with practical steps to help you and your baby have a healthy, balanced life.
Click the “Create EASE” button below to sign up for your private consult with me. Take this next step to learn about natural solutions to help your child have a happier, healthier life.
