Ask the Chiropractor: Can My Newborn Get Adjustments?

by Oasis Wellness Partners on December 5, 2020      

Why would I take my baby to a chiropractor?

Each day in our practice for the last 30 years we have constantly been asked things like, “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 newborns and babies present us with, such as colic, latching difficulties, acid reflux, sleeping issues, difficulty walking, bad dreams and more!

As a new parent, you are the voice of your baby. It is your job to interpret what each and every noise, movement and look means to support your child as they grow and change. However, there is something that chiropractors understand that you may not—how gentle spinal adjustments could benefit your baby.

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 optimally. The nervous system plays a big role in the body’s ability to rest, digest, support immunity, and affects 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 eating patterns, bowel movements, 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, and no cracking sounds. A pediatric chiropractic adjustment is simply expertly placed, gentle vibrational pulses or holds with minimal pressure.

Why would my newborn need to be checked by a chiropractor?

Any time there is a physical trauma to your child’s spine is a good time to see your chiropractor. The first cause of tension on a baby’s spinal column can be as early as in utero and the position of their body inside of the mother’s womb. Maybe they spent 9 months with their arm above their head. Or maybe a leg or arm 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 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.

These same misalignments can also be caused by everyday repetitive actions. Changing diapers, riding in care seats, how your baby crawls (on all fours or doing the scooting motion), how the baby sits and sleeps, sitting in car seats and rockers all can aggravate your child’s nervous system and case misalignments.

What are some children’s symptoms 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.”

Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family in Scarborough, Maine

If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, give us a call to see how we can help make sure your baby thrives. (207)883-5549.

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