Chiropractic care can support your baby’s health and overall well-being. Learn more about the benefits of taking your little one to the chiropractor.
Imagine this: Your sweet baby is going through all sorts of changes, and you’re right there to support every step of the way. From those adorable coos to the not-so-adorable witching hour, it’s a whirlwind of emotions and Google searches, isn’t it?
Sleepless nights and constant spit-up moments are just a few examples of things that can be incredibly overwhelming as the parent of an infant. But not to worry because there’s a holistic solution that might be your new parenting secret.
It’s time to learn more about the benefits and wonders of chiropractic care.
Is chiropractic care good for babies?
Yes! Here’s the scoop: Chiropractic care isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s like a wellness boost for your infant too! Think of it as a helping hand that gently eases your baby’s discomfort and supports their development.
Whether it’s something like…
- Unpredictable tummy troubles
- Wiggles during sleep
- Stress with feedings
…a pediatric chiropractor can offer support when needed.
Vertebral subluxation (woah!) is a term you might hear from chiropractors. They’re talking about when the small bones that make up your spine aren’t aligned. This can happen as quickly as right after birth.
Think about all the shifting and movement that happens during the birth process. According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), this misalignment can be a bit of a worry regarding how babies grow and develop.
Like grown-ups, even the tiniest misalignment can make a difference in how your little one feels.
Chiropractic care for your little one is safe and gentle. A qualified chiropractor uses light touch (think your finger pressure testing the ripeness of a tomato) and massage to make adjustments. Many babies even fall asleep, coo, and smile during their visit.
Benefits of chiropractic care for your baby
If you are still wondering whether a visit to the chiropractor is the right step for you and your baby, let’s dig a little deeper into six ways a visit could make all the difference in how your baby grows and feels.
Here are just a few ways a pediatric chiropractor can offer support:
- Help improve sleep
- Feeding benefits
- Address colic
- Support a healthy digestion
- Boost immune system
- Ease growing pains
1. Chiropractic care helps improve sleep
Sleep is crucial to your baby’s growth, but shifting sleep patterns can puzzle caregivers. As we all know, a string of sleepless nights can really wear everyone out.
Chiropractors can help improve a baby’s sleep in several ways. A few examples are:
- Relieving pain (like colic or muscle discomfort)
- Helping muscles relax
- Supporting the nervous system (for sleep regulation)
- Improving overall health (more on that later)
A chiropractor uses the gentlest touch to help your little one feel better. And you know what that means? Sweet dreams for the baby (and a little more peace for the whole family)!
Related: Essential Newborn Baby Sleep Tips and Advice from a Pediatric Sleep Consultant
2. Feeding support benefits
Whether nursing, bottle feeding, or a combination of each, feeding your little one is quite the journey, and let’s be honest – it’s not always a smooth sail.
There can be many reasons you face challenges feeding your little one.
Spinal misalignments (which can happen right away from the birth process) and tension in the jaw, neck, and skull can all play a role in feeding challenges and often get overlooked.
Visiting a chiropractor is another layer of support for you and your baby. A chiropractor can assist with these factors (and more!):
- Latch problems
- Feeding from only one side
- Nipple pain
- Sustained sucking
- Fussiness with feeding positions
- General issues with feeding from breast or bottle
Related: What Are Tongue and Lip Ties In Babies? What You Need to Know
3. Can help address colic
Colic is something no parent hopes that their little one might be going through. It can feel overwhelming if your baby constantly cries to communicate that something is wrong, but you don’t know what it is.
You’re not alone in trying to figure it all out.
Babies with colic might just be extra sensitive to their surroundings because their little nervous systems are still growing. That’s where chiropractic care can come to the rescue!
When everything’s in sync, it means less fussiness for your little one, translating to fewer tears and colicky moments.
In a recent trial, craniosacral therapy, a form of care falling under the same umbrella as chiropractic work, has been shown to work well for soothing colic.
It can help reduce those crying hours, make colic less severe, and even increase your little one’s total hours of peaceful sleep.
4. Support a happy digestive system
Most parents are familiar with signs of discomfort related to digestion. If you’ve ever rubbed your baby’s tight belly, seen them squish up their legs like a frog, or noticed squirmy movements, you may have wondered if something is up with their digestion.
Gas? Constipation? It’s hard to watch your baby wriggle around in pain.
Gentle adjustments in babies can ease their digestive issues. These adjustments help release trapped gas from joints, which improves blood circulation. Better blood flow supports regular digestion.
Acid reflux is another common culprit for digestive issues in your infant. Chiropractic care can help by relieving pressure on the stomach and intestines and improving digestion and acidity.
5. Support and boost immune their immune system
Our nervous system runs right through the spine, so if there’s a misalignment, those nerves can get a bit grumpy and affect all sorts of things in the body, including the immune system.
A gentle touch can support your baby’s body and bring them back in alignment.
Chiropractic care is about helping the body function at its best. As noted by the ICPA, chiropractors use a light touch to ease any stress on your baby’s nervous system, making their whole body work better.
Many parents turn to chiropractors for support with things like ear infections and frequent colds as their child grows. Chiropractors are like a helping hand for the immune system!
6. Ease growing pains
Have you ever looked down at your little one and wondered how they could have grown so quickly? All that growing requires a lot of work on their part! With all that growing, there can be twinges of pain and discomfort. Think of everyday movements such as:
- Lifting legs for diaper changes
- Pulling straps snug in the car seat
- Learning to roll, crawl, and walk
These day-to-day activities can take a toll on your baby’s body.
With help from a chiropractor, your baby’s growth can feel more comfortable. And when your baby is feeling relaxed, it can make a big difference in their mood, sleep, and overall health. It’s all connected!
Final thoughts on your baby’s chiropractor visit
Before trying any new treatment, it’s always best to seek advice from your child’s doctor. Your baby’s journey is unique.
Whether you’re in the midst of a spit-up marathon or navigating the mysteries of your baby’s sleep cycle, remember that chiropractic care offers an extra set of hands to help you with the twists and turns of babyhood.
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