Looking after your baby

Birth is one of the most traumatic experiences a baby can go through. Even after the successful delivery there a still obstacles to overcome. For parents too, whether it’s the first or second child, the arrival of a newborn has emotional and physical demands. The following article will give some guidelines to help parents and children live happier and healthier lives.

 Physical trauma

The spine in an adult is made up of four main curves. The neck and low back curve the same way, and the sacrum and the spine between the shoulder blades curve in the opposite direction. Newborns, however, have a “c” shaped spine, with curves in the neck and low back occurring in normal development. This “c” shape means babies are born with their chins tucked in. Even in this normal position overstressing during labour can cause the upper part of the neck to become subluxated, compromising the spinal cord and impending normal nerve function.
The use of forceps and suction instruments can also cause traction to the spine. Forceps have been associated with skull fractures, intestinal haemorrhage, spinal cord compression, brain damage, damage to the facial nerve and facial paralysis. In some births the collar bone is fractured which can lead to nerve damage of the lower neck affecting the normal function of the arm. Another injury that can occur is torticollis, a rotation of the neck. Caesarean births can also be problematic as they are thought to not allow the babies nervous system to be simulated properly. The cranial bones are also affected as the movement which stimulates them during the vaginal birth does not occur.

The following are guidelines to minimize the risk of physical trauma after birth.

Emotional stresses

A newborn baby has three demands; Warmth, food and security. Domestic disharmony and maternal distress is very quickly up by the infant and translated into irritability, crying and unsettled behaviour. The negative effect on muscle tone, sleeping and feeding patterns is a major contributor to spinal subluxations. Bonding should be encouraged immediately for both mother and father. Holding the infant close to the parent’s body, maintaining sustained eye contact and smiling and making soothing sounds are all important.

Babies and young children are unable to interact with us verbally. Any child whether they had a normal, instrumental or caesarean birth should be checked for spinal subluxation soon after birth and then at regular intervals during their development.

Parental Handling


Holding the baby: The baby should be held close to the parent with the back of the head supported with the index finger behind the ear.

Bathing baby: the head should be supported using the thumb and forefinger while the free hand is used for bathing and supporting baby in the tub.

Parent/child interaction: Throwing a child up and down can actually cause spinal problems due to lack of support as the child is being bent forward and backwards.

Picking children up: The parent should be on their haunches, lift the child while holding them under both arms, and don’t carry the child on one hip, preferably in the front with one leg either side of the parent.

Papoose type slings and carriers: Unfortunately contraptions that allow a child to sit before it are naturally able to can cause minor spinal problems. Most of the holding devices keep the babies spine in the “c” shape curve and do not allow normal development to happen. If children are put into upright holding devices for long periods of time spondylosis can occur. This is when too much downward pressure is put onto the vertebrae not allowing it to properly form and fuse. Scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, can also develop because the baby cannot hold itself up and slumps to one side.

Dressing the child: Clothing that has a tight collar can put a strain on the spine in the neck and the area between the shoulder blades. Buttons and zips should be used as much as possible.

Feeding: The mother, if breast feeding, should hold the baby at the level of the breast whilst supporting the arm on a pillow, to reduce spinal problems in the mother. The mother should place the baby so it faces the breast so that rotation of the baby’s neck is minimized.

Crawling: Crawling should be actively encouraged as a lack of sufficient crawling is responsible for weak spinal architecture.

Chemical trauma and irritants

Babies can be exposed to irritants as early as in the womb. The two most commonly known chemical irritants are smoking and alcohol. Alcohol is most dangerous to the unborn child in the first three months of pregnancy where two glasses of wine a day can cause development abnormality and deformity. Both irritants can lead to addiction and medical problems.

After birth vertebral subluxations can be caused by exposure to seasonal pollens, air and water pollution, and dietary substances such as cow’s milk proteins, various sugars, food additives and colours and wheat-derived products (gluten and yeast).