Why Your Newborn Benefits From Chiropractic Care Right After Birth

As a brand-new parent, you want to give your baby the very best start in life. You research the safest car seat, the most nourishing feeding options, and the perfect sleep setup. But what many parents don’t realize is that even the most “normal” birth places tremendous stress on a baby’s delicate body — especially their brainstem, neck, and nervous system.

Birth: More Physically Demanding Than We Realize

In the U.S., nearly 1 in 3 deliveries end in C-sections. Many more involve interventions like inductions, forceps, or vacuum extraction. Even without interventions, the physical stress of labor and delivery puts significant pressure on an infant’s spine and nervous system.

This can result in subtle birth trauma and neurological interference — known as subluxation — which may affect your child’s development, nervous system regulation, and overall health from day one.

The First Weeks: What “Normal Baby Problems” Really Mean

If your newborn struggles with constant crying, difficulty nursing, reflux, colic, or poor sleep, you’ve likely been told to wait it out — that it’s “normal.” But these challenges can actually be early signs of nervous system dysfunction.

A study published by the American Osteopathic Association found that 99% of healthy newborns had some degree of somatic dysfunction or subluxation. The likelihood and severity increased with longer labors and birth interventions. Yet most pediatricians receive no training in how to detect or address these issues.

Even babies born naturally without intervention can benefit from an early chiropractic check-up to ensure their nervous system is functioning as it should.

Why Early Detection Matters

Subluxations don’t simply “go away.” Left unchecked, they can:

• Cause feeding, digestion, and sleep issues in infancy

• Interfere with gross and fine motor development

• Delay speech and other milestones

• Increase susceptibility to ongoing health challenges

Addressing subluxation early helps restore nervous system balance before these patterns set in and grow into larger issues.

The Science of Birth-Related Subluxation

Why Babies Are Vulnerable

Newborns lack muscular strength and motor control, which means they cannot protect their fragile neck and spine during delivery. This makes them especially prone to stress and injury in the brainstem and upper neck.

Three Components of Subluxation

1. Misalignment: Can lead to latching difficulties, torticollis (tight neck), and flat spots on the head.

2. Fixation: Reduced motion limits the sensory input the brain needs for development.

3. Neurological interference: Disrupts communication between the brain and body.

The Brainstem and Vagus Nerve

The brainstem and upper cervical spine act like “air traffic control” for development. This region houses the vagus nerve, which regulates digestion, sleep, immunity, and emotional balance. When subluxation disrupts this area, vagus nerve dysfunction can show up as reflux, colic, constipation, sleep struggles, immune issues, and more.

Signs Your Baby’s Nervous System May Be Stressed

Parents are often told to just “wait it out” when their baby cries excessively, struggles to feed, or has reflux. But what if those challenges aren’t just phases to endure — what if they’re actually your baby’s way of signaling nervous system stress?

• Colic and inconsolable crying aren’t simply tough newborn phases. They’re often signs of a nervous system stuck in overdrive, struggling to self-regulate and settle.

• Breastfeeding and latching difficulties may stem from subluxation in the upper neck affecting the cranial nerves that control sucking, swallowing, and coordination.

• Reflux and digestive issues can happen when birth trauma or misalignment interferes with vagus nerve function, disrupting motility and gut regulation.

• Sleep struggles arise when a baby’s nervous system is locked in “fight or flight.” Instead of relaxing into restorative rest, their body stays tense, making deep sleep nearly impossible.

• Developmental delays often trace back to restricted motion caused by subluxation. Without proper movement input, the brain misses key stimulation that drives motor and neurological development.

These aren’t just “phases.” They are red flags pointing to nervous system stress.

Gentle, Safe, and Specific Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Newborn adjustments are nothing like what adults picture. They use no more pressure than checking a tomato for ripeness or pressing on a closed eyelid. Babies often sleep right through their adjustments.

At Soma Chiropractic, we also use advanced INSiGHT™ scans to measure nervous system function with precision. These scans allow us to create individualized care plans for your baby’s unique needs.

Setting the Foundation for Lifelong Health

The first year of life is a period of explosive growth. The brain doubles in size, forming over a million neural connections every second. Healthy patterns established now influence immunity, motor skills, learning, and resilience for years to come.

By ensuring your baby’s nervous system is clear and connected from the very beginning, you’re not just addressing fussiness or reflux — you’re laying the groundwork for a lifetime of thriving health.

Taking Proactive Action

Don’t wait for so-called “normal baby problems” to become chronic struggles. Schedule your newborn’s chiropractic evaluation as early as possible.

At Soma Chiropractic in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, we provide gentle, neurologically-focused care specifically for newborns. With a detailed history, gentle exam, and advanced INSiGHT™ scans, we can detect hidden stress and restore balance from the very beginning.

By starting early, you give your baby the strongest foundation for healthy growth, development, and resilience.

📍 Book your consultation today and give your little one the healthiest start possible.