Many chiropractors would agree that it is never too early to have your child start seeing a chiropractor. While any child or infant will benefit from chiropractic care, there are a number of signs and signals that parents need to look for that can help them realize their child may need to see a chiropractor for a check up.

It is important to remember that the birth process is a beautiful, yet strenuous event both for mothers and babies, so it is important to realize that even early signs can be the result of a spinal misalignment in infants just a few days old. With proper chiropractic care and safe and gentle adjustments most babies can easily overcome issues ranging from sleeping problems to digestion difficulties.

Problems With Latching

Many babies struggle with latching. However, what many parents don’t realize is that many times latching difficulties actually have to do with issues with the baby’s atlas. This is the top bone in a baby’s neck. When the atlas is misaligned the baby is often only able to turn their head one way or another. This makes latching particularly difficult. A misalignment in the atlas can also cause issues in the jaw, making it difficult for babies to latch.

Sleeping Issues

Many times pain or discomfort in the spine can cause babies to be so uncomfortable that they are not able to sleep. If you baby is fed and changed yet still won’t sleep, a subluxation may be to blame.

Excessive Spitting

Many babies have misalignments in the area of the spine where the diaphragm attaches. When this area becomes restricted it can impact the diaphragm or the esophagus, causing babies to spit up even more than usual. Excessive spitting up can also be caused by food allergies. Either way, your chiropractor will be able to take a look at help you with this common issue in newborns.

Colic

Many parents have found that routine chiropractic care and regular adjustments can help with babies that have colic and spent a lot of time crying or being fussy. Recent studies have found that 94% of colicky babies have shown improvement with chiropractic adjustments.

When your baby is able to get adjusted and any of their subluxations have been fixed, their small yet powerful bodies are able to recover better from the birthing trauma. Plus, their nervous system is able to function as it should so that their brain can send messages to their entire body, all while they are still adjusting to learning about the world around them. If you have noticed any of these issues in your newborn baby, then it may be time to visit your chiropractor to make certain they are well adjusted and as happy and healthy as possible.