Why Babies Need Chiropractic Care, A Chiropractor's Perspective.

The journey into this world isn't always smooth, and even the most natural birth can create stress on a newborn's delicate spine and nervous system. 

Think about the multiple forces at work during delivery - the contractions, the pushing, the pulling and the twisting that helps bring baby into this world. Add on other interventions such as forceps, long labor, or vacuum extraction, and you can start to see why some babies enter this world with an already stressed nervous system. 

Birth trauma is not the only concern, this first year of life is an incredibly active time for the brain and nervous system development. 

During this first year of life, there are over 1 MILLION neurons being formed Every SECOND for the first year. 

Big milestones are covered during this first year as well - holding the head up, rolling over, sitting, crawling and onto walking - are huge demands on your baby's spine and nervous system.  

Signs your baby's nervous system might benefit from support: 

• Difficulty latching during feeding, 

• Colic

• Irregular sleep patterns

• Arching neck and back 

• Difficulty soothing

• Reflux

• Constipation 

All these stem from the same root cause - interference in the nervous system that limits optimal function. If left untreated, as the baby comes into toddlerhood, we can see them growing into ear infections, poor coordination, sensory issues, missing milestones, limited movements, and getting sick often. 

Early intervention is key...

the brain is developing at a rapid pace the first year of life, more than 1 million neurons per second, almost an impossible idea to conceive. The sooner we can assess, the sooner care can take place and getting baby to a more comfortable state. 

What does an assessment and treatment look like for a baby?

One word to describe would be gentle. 

Infant assessments rely on careful observation and very light touch - often no more pressure than you'd use to check if a tomato is ripe. 

We begin by observing your baby's natural movements, how they hold their head, do they prefer one side, Are their movements even and symmetrical?

These observations provide vital clues into your baby's nervous system. Moving onto hands-on examination involves gentle palpation along your baby's head, neck and spine, feeling for areas of tension or restricted movements, we are looking for subtle patterns that could indicate nervous system stress. This can be done while you hold your baby allowing them to maintain their sense of security and comfort. 

Treatment is another gentle process - with most babies sleeping through adjustments. Parents frequently report after treatment, a calmer baby, easier feeding, more ease with bowel movements and better sleep -- these changes reflect improved nervous system function rather than just symptom management. By addressing the root causes of discomfort we are moving beyond just symptom management. 

What your first visit looks like:

We understand baby's run on their own schedules and that is why we offer a phone consultation prior to your in office visit. This allows Dr. Halle to gather an understanding of what is going on and also allow ample time for questions during the first visit. This thorough consultation allows us to gain a full understanding of what is going on with your baby. We will take a deep dive into your birth story as that will have shaped your baby's present status. We will also discuss your current concerns which will help us understand how your baby's nervous system is responding to early life stressors. Your first visit is designed to be comprehensive, unhurried, caring and centered around you and your family's needs.

We look forward to working together. 

If you know someone who would benefit from this information, please do send it!