Should Your Baby See the Chiropractor?
By Sara Butler
You may be under the impression that chiropractic care is only for adults, but that’s not true! People of all ages can benefit from the wonders of chiropractic care, including infants and children. Any child can benefit from seeing the chiropractor, but there are a few signs you should look for to know if your child may need a checkup with the chiropractor.
The Birth Process
When you have a baby, they’re new to the world. That may lead you to believe they haven’t had a chance to do anything that would result in joint dysfunction or restriction, but that’s not the case. The birth process, while natural, is also a strenuous event on moms and babies. Babies can certainly sustain injuries from this process or suffer spinal misalignments as a result. Those things reveal themselves in some fairly common symptoms.
Difficulty Latching
It’s not uncommon for babies to struggle with latching, but what a lot of parents don’t realize is that this may be a sign of issues with the joints in the neck. The top bone in the neck is called the atlas and when it’s suffering from a dysfunction or restriction, then the baby can have difficulty turning their head. That can cause some problems when it comes to latching, so get them to the chiropractor for an assessment if you discover your baby has these issues.
Problems Sleeping
OK, so a lot of babies have trouble sleeping. But if your baby is having some serious difficulty sleeping comfortably and can’t be consoled or easily put back to bed with a diaper change or a feeding, then it may indicate a problem with the spine that a chiropractor needs to address.
Extreme Spitting
Many babies with joint dysfunctions and restrictions in the spine will have issues with their esophagus or diaphragm, making spit-up excessive. This is a problem that can also be caused by food allergies, but your chiropractor should definitely take a look to see if this common issue with newborns has a spinal cause.
Colic
Colic is torture for both babies and parents, but routine chiropractic care may help. If your child spends a lot of time crying and can’t be consoled, then a chiropractic adjustment may just be the ticket to help calm their little bodies and help everyone in the house find relief.
If your baby is struggling, then don't hesitate to take them to see the chiropractor at The Joint.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wayne, N.J.