6 Signs that an Infant Needs a Chiropractic Assessment

Here are 6 signs that an infant needs a chiropractic assessment by a Pediatric Chiropractor in Charleston:  

Feeding or Latching Difficulties

If a baby is struggling to breastfeed or bottle-feed, it may  be due to tension in their neck, jaw, or cranial bones. 

• What to look for: A preference for nursing on only one side, a shallow or painful latch, or  clicking sounds while sucking. This often indicates the baby cannot comfortably turn  their head or open their jaw fully. 

Persistent Head Tilt or Torticollis

Torticollis occurs when the neck muscles are tight,  causing the head to tilt to one side or stay rotated in one direction. 

• What to look for: Your baby always looks the same way when sleeping, has difficulty tracking an object past the midline, or is developing a flat spot (plagiocephaly) on one  side of their head. 

Digestive Issues (Colic, Reflux, or Gas)

While digestive systems are immature at birth,  spinal misalignments can sometimes interfere with the nerves that control the digestive tract and may need a Charleston chiropractor for assessment.

• What to look for: Excessive spitting up, frequent "arching" of the back during or after  feedings, and bouts of inconsolable crying (colic) that seem related to abdominal  discomfort or trapped gas. 

Noticeable Asymmetries in Face and Head

Visible asymmetries in an infant's face or  head often indicate cranial bone misalignments or persistent muscle tension, such as  torticollis, which prevents the skull from shaping naturally. 

• What to look for: An eye that is slightly larger on one side, an ear that is slightly higher  on one side, and/or a misshapen head.  

Sleep Challenges and General Irritability

If a baby’s nervous system is in a state of  "overdrive" due to physical discomfort and/or subluxations, they may find it impossible to  relax. 

• What to look for: An infant who cannot settle even when all needs (hunger, diaper, etc.)  are met, wakes up the moment they are laid flat on their back, or seems constantly  "wound up" or restless. 

Note: Pediatric chiropractic is very different from adult care. Practitioners use extremely light pressure—often described as no more than you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato. 

Wellness

Preventative measures keep an infant’s nervous system clear of interference so that they can develop and grow without neurological stress. Think…don’t wait for a cavity to  start brushing your teeth. You brush your teeth to prevent decay. Wellness chiropractic prevents decay in the spine and nervous system.  

Note: Healthy children grown into healthy adults.