Postpartum care for Mom and Baby
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines the postpartum period as the period that begins soon after the delivery of the baby and usually lasts six to eight weeks and ends when the mother's body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnant state. The postpartum period for a woman and her newborn is very important for both short-term and long-term health and well-being.
Chiropractic care can be beneficial for both mom and baby postpartum in several ways:
For Mom:
Pain Relief: Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate common postpartum pains such as back pain, pelvic pain, and neck discomfort resulting from the stresses of pregnancy and labor.
Spinal Alignment: Restoring spinal alignment after childbirth can promote better posture, reduce strain on muscles, and improve overall mobility. Considering how the pelvis physically separates at delivery to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal, chiropractic adjustments can aid in making sure the pelvis is restored back to it’s pre-pregnancy position.
Hormonal Balance: Chiropractic care can also help balance hormones and support postpartum recovery. As said before, the nervous system controls all other systems of the body, including the glandular system - which regulates hormones.
Stress Reduction: New moms often experience extreme levels of stress and fatigue in labor and delivery. Chiropractic care can provide a relaxing and therapeutic experience, supporting mental well-being during the postpartum period.
For Baby:
Nervous System Function and Development: Labor and delivery is not only hard on mom, but it can also be tremendously hard on baby due to all of the twist and pulling of baby’s head, neck, and arms. Chiropractic adjustments on newborns use as much pressure as you would use when testing the ripeness of a tomato or touching your eyeball. We can assess a newborns nervous system with our CLA technology and take the stress off of their nervous system with the chiropractic adjustment, supporting optimal nerve function and development. A baby’s nervous system is the most resilient, which is why chiropractic care can have such a lasting positive impact and set them up to be a healthy child, and eventually a healthy adult!
Colic and Digestive Issues: Some studies suggest that chiropractic care may help alleviate symptoms of colic and digestive discomfort in infants. Gentle adjustments can promote better nerve communication and relieve tension in the digestive system.
Sleep and Behavior: By improving nervous system function through the chiropractic adjustment, it may contribute to better sleep patterns and overall behavior in newborns.
Bonding and Development: Chiropractic visits can also serve as bonding experiences between mom and baby. The gentle touch and positive interactions during appointments can promote emotional well-being and enhance the parent-child relationship.
