Chiropractic Tips for Healthy Infants
By Sara Butler
Chiropractic care is for people of all ages, including infants! When you take your baby to the chiropractor, you’re ensuring that they will be free from joint restriction and dysfunction as they grow. But have you ever thought about what you can do to help support the chiropractic care your infant is receiving? Here are some tips from the chiropractors at The Joint that can help you to keep your little one’s body healthy between visits.
Car Seat Time
Some time spent in the car seat is inevitable, but it should be limited as much as possible -- especially for little babies, who spend a lot of time either on their backs or being carried around in different contraptions.
Car seats are for a baby’s safety, to be sure, but they’re not ideal for their little spines. Lumbar spinal imbalances can result from the restricted postures the seat allows, and that can impact the development of your child’s spine. The tight fitting straps, while necessary, also add to the problem.
Another good reason to keep babies out of car seats is they also run the risk of developing a condition called “plagiocephaly.” This is when the back or side of the baby’s head is flattened – which is exactly why tummy time is recommended!
When Carrying Baby
Babies need to have contact with their caregivers in order to develop normally. It’s essential for their emotional, physical, social, and neurological development. This is the reason why baby wearing has become so popular in recent years. You need to keep in mind while wearing a baby to expose them to different positions with good leg and back support.
When Feeding, Playing, and Sleeping
When it comes to feeding, playing, and sleeping, these tips should be followed to encourage healthy little spines:
- Alternate feeding sides – This is especially important if the baby is bottle fed. Switch sides frequently in order to encourage neurological development.
- No belly sleeping – Babies should never be put to sleep on the belly. This is dangerous to them as well as harmful to their necks and spines. All babies should be put to sleep on their backs.
- Avoid walkers and jumpers – Prevent hip and lumbar strain in babies by avoiding walkers and jumpers for play time.
- Give ample tummy time – It bears repeating that tummy time is important. It helps to strengthen the muscles of a baby’s neck and promote crawling.
Follow these tips and you will help to support healthy development for your baby and help your chiropractor to keep their spines healthy. If you have questions, ask your chiropractor at The Joint!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
