Oh Baby! Chiropractic Benefits Babies

Is there something in our town’s water? Because there seems to be a baby boom happening! In addition to my wife being pregnant with our first child, I am seeing pregnant bellies everywhere and a spike in mothers bringing in their newborns and babies into the clinic for holistic care for a gamut of baby-specific issues.

Surprised? Many people are when they find out that chiropractic can benefit babies as young as a few hours old. More typically in my practice, parents bring in babies who are a few weeks or months old. Recently Rebekah brought her 4-week old son to see me for reflux relief. Rebekah says, “After the first couple treatments we noticed a big difference in him. He wasn’t spitting up as much, sleeping better and overall happier. We would bring any of our children back in a heartbeat for the results and a happy baby!”

It’s very common to treat both mom and baby in one visit, since the mother (especially new moms during the very exhausting “fourth trimester”) often suffers from shoulder and hip pain from carrying the baby, breastfeeding, and sleeping in awkward positions. That was the case with Linda, a first time mother, who brought along her 10-month old son to her own appointment. According to her, “Jensen’s first chiropractic visit was great. He took a 3-hour nap and slept 7-hours straight that day. He is usually a terrible sleeper and napper.”

Now you’re probably wondering if chiropractors apply the same pressure as used on adults. The answer is no. Babies’ spines are obviously more delicate, so treatments (adjustments) are modified for babies and are much gentler. It’s important to note that the main purpose of chiropractic care is not the treatment of conditions or diseases, but rather, a restoration of normal spinal function that reduces stress on the body and enhances overall body function.

So why consider chiropractic care for your baby? The birthing process can cause trauma and strain that can go undetected which can lead to restrictions in the newborn’s spine and can be exacerbated while young babies are learning to navigate their new environment, from sleeping in a crib to holding the head up and being passed around. Babies will fall, tumble, and sit in prolonged postures in car seats and carriers. Although chiropractors are primarily trained to locate and treat misalignment in the spine, many chiropractors and parents have long noticed improvements in some of these common infant conditions.

Colic

Would you stop taking your cholesterol medicine or your blood pressure medicine? Certainly not! Would you stop yours and your wife’s membership at the gym? Well, maybe, but taking pills to satisfy yourself and your wife’s sexual viagra price online needs. It is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg doses, you should take it as whole. prescription free levitra Every one of these reasons are in charge of erection. buying viagra in india Fortunately though, there are some remedies in sight today, some of which include natural medicines which try to explore sexual happiness in little efforts made by your partners. viagra samples no prescription According to the Mayo clinic, colic is a frustrating condition marked by predictable periods of significant distress in an otherwise well-fed, healthy baby. Babies with colic often cry more than three hours a day, three days a week for three weeks or longer. Nothing you do to try to help your baby during these episodes seems to bring any relief. One chiropractic theory on the cause of colic is a strain in the neck vertebrae associated with the birthing process, particularly from the use of vacuum and forcep deliveries. When assessing a colicky baby, the vertebrae in the neck is the first place I check.

Constipation

As a general guideline, babies 0 to 4 months of age poop on average of three to four times a day, and after the introduction of solid foods, that reduces to approximately one bowel movement per day. Many times parents will comment that shortly after receiving a chiropractic adjustment, the child will have a bowel movement. Much to the delight of some parents, babies have pooped in their diapers on my table! I don’t mind at all.

Ear infections

One of the most common reasons why parents bring their children to see me is for ear infections, which are very common for children before age two. These infections are caused by fluid buildup behind the eardrum, leading to ear pain and fever. One way chiropractic care could help is by relaxing the muscles and tissues around the ear to allow them to drain naturally.

The next time you feel frazzled by a fussy baby, consider seeing your local family chiropractor.