A first infant check-up with their chiropractor can involve neurological reflexes, tongue tie and palate shape (particularly when feeding is an issue). Infants use 6 cranial nerves, 34 cranial sutures, and 60 muscles to suck, swallow and breathe! (1) Having a muscles and joint check at about 6-8 weeks of age may improve how long an inconsolable irritable infant with regular sleep will cry for (2).
Babies who are irritable with disordered sleep do not tend to respond well to chiropractic care (3). The more irregular your baby sleeps, the less likely chiropractic will help them.
Infant Syndrome of Musculoskeletal Origin
At Fascia Frist we look to identify if your infant has an irritable infant syndrome of musculoskeletal origin [IISMO] (2).
Traditionally speaking a ‘colicky’ baby is one who cries for over 3 hours in a day for 3 days in any one week where they are apparently inconsolable (4). Other times it may be about positioning comfortably. Some babies get comfortable anywhere, others don’t…
When to have the first chiropractic check up
General advice for new mums is to allow their baby 6-8 weeks before bringing them for their first chiropractic check-up as research has found a significant reduction in crying hours occurs at this time naturally (5).
A normal amount of crying during the first two months can be 1.5-3 hours a day (6). During the first two months if you wish to provide your infant with a probiotic supplement this may reduce their hours of crying (7) or if you’d like to present your infant to your chiropractor for a plagiocephaly (head shape or cranial) check then enquire if your chiropractor is cranially competent to do this.
Lee has helped many infants over the years to be more comfortable following his cranial treatment.
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References:
- Smith 2007 Impact of Birthing Practices on the Breastfeeding Dyadd. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health 52(6) 621-30
- Millar J 2019 IISMO Ch. 5 Evidence-Based Chiropractic Care for Infants. Praeclarus Press 978-1-946665-36-2
- Millar J 2019 Evidence-Based Chiropractic Care for Infants. IFCIDS p.39 Praeclarus Press 978-1-946665-36-2
- Rome IV Criteria, 2016 Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.
- Dieter Wolke et al 2017 Systematic Review and Meta Analysis: Fussing and Crying Duration and Prevalence of Colic J Pediatrics’ June
- IBID
- Lactobacillus Reuteri Impacts No of Crying Hours. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Dec 96(51)e9375