Being born is tough work for both mothers and babies. There are a lot of pressures and forces being exerted onto your baby during her journey into the world.

A study by Viola Frymann demonstrated that 90% of newborns experience the effects of birth trauma: associated strain through the neck and head following birth.

Frymann, an American osteopathic doctor, studied more than 1,500 babies periodically across an eight-year period. She examined all babies within the first five days of birth; in fact, many were checked within the first 24 hours. This study revealed that approximately:

• 10% of the newborns had perfect, freely mobile skulls or cranial mechanisms.

• 10% had severe trauma to the head, evident even to untrained observers.

• The remaining 80% all had some strain patterns in the cranial mechanism.

As researcher G. Gutmann has written, “The trauma from the birth process remains an under-publicized and therefore significantly under-treated problem.”

Chiropractors who care for infants use very specific, gentle adjustments, and Dr. Skylar has been specially trained and certified to work with infants safely.

What can cause birth trauma in infants?

• Very short labor

• Very long labor

• Pain medications

• Restricted maternal movement and birthing positions

• Pulling or twisting on the head and neck during delivery

• Cesarean delivery

Left uncorrected, this trauma continues to impact a baby’s spinal growth and development, reducing the healthy function of her nervous system. This can cause many health challenges later in life that could have been prevented with intervention.

Nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, and inability to be soothed and settled are just a few expressions of spinal nerve stress in infants.

Although all infants should be checked as soon as possible after birth, here are just three clear indicators to have a pediatric chiropractor check your child:

1. Your baby’s head tilts to one side, even after you straighten it.

2. Your baby seems to have difficulty turning their head and neck one way, which can be expressed as feeding difficulties or a breast preference.

3. You baby has difficulty settling down or sleeping soundly.

If you have questions about how chiropractic care could be beneficial for you or your child, please reach out to us!

-Appearing in Pathways to Family Wellness Magazine Issue #60