The first few weeks with a newborn are filled with change, learning and very little sleep.
While many babies settle well, others seem difficult to comfort. They may cry for hours each day, prefer looking to one side, dislike tummy time or become upset during feeding. Parents are often reassured that their baby will simply “grow out of it”, and in many cases they do.
However, some parents are left wondering whether their baby is trying to tell them that something doesn’t feel quite right.
Birth is an incredible process, but it also places significant forces on a baby’s body.
As the baby travels through the birth canal, the head, neck and shoulders are compressed, rotated and stretched to allow delivery. These forces may be greater during a long labour, a very fast birth, an assisted delivery with forceps or vacuum, or if the baby was in a more challenging position before birth.
Fortunately, babies are remarkably resilient, and most recover without any lasting problems.
However, just like an adult may develop stiffness after a fall or sporting injury, some babies may develop areas of tension or reduced movement around the neck, jaw or upper spine following birth.
One of the most common concerns we hear from parents is that their baby always prefers looking in one direction.
You may notice that they feed more easily on one side, dislike turning their head the other way, or gradually develop a flatter area on one side of their head because they spend so much time in the same position.
Sometimes this is simply a preference that improves naturally as babies become stronger.
In other babies, however, reduced movement in the neck or increased muscle tension may make turning one way more difficult or uncomfortable. If this continues for several weeks, babies often begin reinforcing that preferred position simply because it feels easier.
The neck, jaw and tongue work together every time a baby feeds.
If there is increased tension around the neck or jaw following birth, some babies may find feeding on one side more comfortable than the other. Others may seem unsettled during feeds, frequently pull away from the breast or bottle, or struggle to maintain a comfortable position.
These symptoms can have many different causes, which is why we always encourage parents to seek appropriate medical advice when needed. However, assessing how the neck and jaw are moving can sometimes provide another piece of the puzzle.
Colic is one of the most common reasons parents seek help during the first few months of life.
The truth is that we still don’t fully understand why some babies cry significantly more than others. Colic can be influenced by many different factors, including feeding difficulties, digestion, normal infant development and a baby’s ability to settle.
However, if a baby has experienced a difficult birth, prefers looking one way, appears uncomfortable during certain movements or has areas of increased tension around the neck and jaw, it is reasonable to assess whether these factors may be contributing to their overall comfort.
Our approach is always gentle and individualised.
We carefully assess your baby’s neck, jaw and spine, looking at how they move and whether there are areas of increased tension or reduced mobility following birth.
When appropriate, gentle chiropractic techniques aim to restore normal movement to these areas. The forces used are incredibly light—similar to the amount of pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato—and are specifically adapted for newborn babies.
Many parents notice that, once babies are able to move their neck more comfortably, they become happier lying on both sides, tolerate tummy time better and feed more comfortably. Some parents also report improvements in settling and general comfort, although every baby is different and we never claim to treat or cure colic itself.
If your baby has a preferred head position, seems uncomfortable after birth, or you’re simply looking for reassurance that everything is moving as it should, we’d be happy to help.
At The Third Space in Amsterdam-Oost, we perform gentle assessments designed specifically for newborns, taking the time to understand your concerns and carefully examine your baby’s neck, jaw and overall movement.
Because sometimes the smallest patients deserve the most careful assessment, and giving babies the best possible start begins with making sure they can move comfortably from day one.
