Why Your Baby Should See a Chiropractor

By Dr. Anna Abbott, D.C. of New Wave Chiropractic and Wellness

For many parents, the idea of taking your baby to see a chiropractor might seem unnecessary, especially if the birth was described as “natural” or “normal.” But here’s a truth that often goes unspoken:

Even the gentlest birth is a neurological event.

Your baby’s health starts not only in the womb but also with how well their nervous system adapts to life outside of it.

The Nervous System: Your Baby’s Master Blueprint

From conception onward, your baby’s nervous system serves as the master control center for growth, movement, digestion, immunity, and sensory processing. What’s often overlooked is how much the mother’s nervous system, the birth process, and early stressors impacts this development.

How Mom’s Nervous System Shapes Baby’s Growth

Stress during pregnancy, whether physical, emotional, or chemical—causes the release of stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones cross the placenta and influence how the baby’s nervous system wires itself in the womb.

This can result in a baby entering the world already leaning toward a fight-or-flight response, instead of one focused on rest, healing, and growth. This is why Prenatal chiropractic is so important, it’s for both mom and baby!

Birth: The First Neurological Stress Test

Even without medical interventions, birth puts intense pressure on a baby’s head, neck, and spine. This process is critical for:

• Stimulating cerebrospinal fluid flow that nourishes the brain
• Shaping the position of delicate cranial bones
• Activating primitive reflexes such as sucking, rooting, and grasping

However, slight misalignments can occur, especially with long or fast labors, or cesarean sections. These can subtly interfere with how the nervous system communicates and adapts.

Early signs may be subtle, such as:

• Difficulty with latching or weak sucking
• Colic or excessive crying
• Restlessness or poor sleep
• Favoring one side when turning the head
• Head tilt
• Cranial distortions or “flat head”

Why Should Your Baby Be Checked by a Chiropractor?

A newborn chiropractic adjustment is very different from an adult adjustment. It’s a gentle, precise touch—about the same pressure you’d use to test a ripe tomato.

The goal is to relieve tension on the nervous system, helping your baby’s body function clearly and smoothly from the start.

What to look for…
Parents often notice improvements in:

• Breastfeeding and digestion
• Settled sleep and calm behavior
• Physical symmetry and movement
• Overall ease and comfort in their baby’s body

Final Thoughts — Don’t wait for symptoms

Health is more than the absence of symptoms—it’s about how well the body adapts to its environment.

By having your baby’s nervous system checked early, you are supporting their ability to grow, thrive, and experience the world with clarity.

If you’re in the Flagler or St. Johns area and want support for your baby’s nervous system from the very start, I’d love to meet you. This work is personal for me—as both a chiropractor and a mom—and I’m here to support you in building a strong, thriving foundation for your little one.

Written by:

Dr. Anna Abbott, D.C.

Chiropractor/Owner

New Wave Chiropractic and Wellness

Want to learn more about services offered by New Wave Chiropractic and Wellness? Scan below! Dr. Anna sees patients at The St. Augustine Birth Collective every Monday and Tuesday.