Chiro 4 Kiddo's

• What age can a baby go to the chiropractor?

A baby can receive chiropractic treatment as soon as the first day after birth, whether it is natural, assisted, or cesarian.

 

What can be treated in Paediatric patients?

 

• Colic

Colic's definition is excessive crying in babies with no obvious cause determined. It used to be described as 3 or more hours of crying per day for 3 or more days a week for 3 or more weeks from the age of 2 weeks to 4 months. 

 

Chiropractic treatment has a success rate of 94% in the treatment of colic babies. Manipulations are soft, gentle pressure on specific joint segments to restore optimal function of the body. 

 

Possible causes of colic include misalignment of vertebra caused by a traumatic birth, whether it is normal or cesarean birth, other causes include prolonged sitting in forced positions such as car seats, prams, or poorly designed baby carriers. Misalignments can place extra pressure on the baby's nerves distorting the messages traveling along the nerves and preventing the messages from the brain to the associated parts of the body. If manipulations are performed on affected segments can relieve the pressure on the nerves and restore optimal function. 

 

• Constipation/Bloated

Sometimes infants struggle to pass feces or gas and therefore can become constipated/bloated.

 

In a breastfeeding baby, there is a very wide range of normal number of dirty (poop-containing) nappies in the newborn phase (6-8 weeks). If you are concerned please contact your chiropractor or paediatrician for clarification. 

 

A formula-fed baby has fewer dirty nappies than breastfeeding babies, in the newborn stage.

 

After the newborn stage, (after 8 weeks) 1-2 dirty nappies per week is normal. 

 

If you see any of these signs it might mean that your baby is constipated or backed up: 

• Hard dried-out stool consistency, 
• Refusal to eat
• Making straining faces
• Crying and appearing uncomfortable
• A hard belly

• Stool containing blood - First see Paediatrician to exclude more serious conditions.

 

Manipulation to specific spinal segments can activate peristalsis, which can improve the passage of gas and/or contents of the stomach/intestines. Certain maneuvers will improve bowel movements and release the pelvic floor muscles to ease the passage of stool. 

 

• Reflux

Reflux (heartburn) is the regurgitation of the content of the stomach into the stomach, this is uncomfortable and can be painful. The esophageal sphincter does not always close properly, this can cause reflux. Crying is usually worse right after big feeds and when the baby lies flat. Most of the time reflux disappears as the baby ages.

 

Chiropractic treatment for reflux includes gentle manipulation of specific spinal segments that correspond to the nerves going to the esophageal sphincter. this can improve its function.

 

• Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly can be treated with chiropractic through treatment of the neck and treatment of the fontanelles. Very important information on tummy time will be given,  

 

• Prevention/Treatment of ear infection

Chiropractic treatment DOES NOT replace antibiotics or other medication needed for ear infections.

The ear canal (eustachian tube) is more horizontal, less rigid, and shorter in infants than in adults. gentle manipulation of the uppermost vertebra, right underneath the head, can assist in draining the ear canal. Fluid buildup in the ear canal can cause an infection in the middle ear.

 

• Improves sleeping patterns

Chiropractic treatment activates the parasympathetic nervous system allowing your baby's nervous system to calm down and improving sleep, especially right after treatment. 

Additionally, a healthy, pain and discomfort-free baby will sleep soundly.

 

• Helping to achieve milestones

When there is no pain in a baby's body and the nerve impulses can travel unobstructed (provided that there are no other causes for developmental delays) chiropractic treatment can assist in achieving your baby's milestones. 

 

• Importance of Tummy Time. 

Improve posture later in life, 

Rolling over from front to back 3-4 months of age 

Rolling from back to front later