Nurturing Little Ones: Supporting Developmental Milestones through Pediatric Chiropractic Care
As parents (especially first time parents), we cherish every milestone our little ones achieve – from their first smile to their first steps. These developmental milestones are not only precious moments but also crucial indicators of healthy growth and well-being. As a neurologically-focused holistic pediatric and perinatal chiropractor, I'm excited to share how pediatric chiropractic care can play a vital role in supporting and nurturing these milestones, ensuring that our children thrive in every stage of their development.
SETTING THE FOUNDATION
From the moment they enter the world, until the age of 5, babies' bodies and nervous systems undergo rapid growth and transformation. It’s vital for a child’s body to be balanced and at ease so they can properly integrate the information constantly surrounding them. Pediatric chiropractic care offers gentle, non-invasive techniques to support this growth process and promote optimal alignment of the spine and nervous system. When the nervous system functions optimally, communication between the brain and the rest of the body follows suit, laying a solid foundation for healthy development.
While specialized pediatric chiropractors are really good at helping with motor milestones I think it’s important to acknowledge the different kinds of milestones.
UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Let’s define developmental milestones first, shall we? These are accomplishments a child does from about two months to five years old. While the scope of a developmental milestone varies by age, key milestones to watch for include waving hello or goodbye, smiling, speaking, taking first steps, crawling, and walking.
Developmental milestones can be divided into FOUR categories:
👉 SOCIAL MILESTONES - allow a child to manage and express their emotions and experiences
👉 COMMUNICATION MILESTONES - are how a child verbally and nonverbally expresses themselves
👉 MOTOR MILESTONES - include a child’s physical development of motor skills
👉 COGNITIVE MILESTONES - involve a child’s growth and learning
FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Here’s the thing about all of these milestones– it’s not about the TIMING in which they are achieved that matters most. It’s the ORDER.
Read that again.
The order in which developmental milestones are achieved is more important than the age at which a child achieves them.
There is a wide range of normal when it comes to milestones, and we so often get caught up with the need to be quick that we assume “later” means “late”. New parents often get anxious when their child has not met x milestone by x number of months. Yet, every other sign is pointing to them being a very health, happy baby. Spoiler: if the normal range for achieving a milestone is 4-8 months and your child hits it shortly before or after 8 months, that is still within normal limits. You have not failed as a parent. You are doing great!
Every child is different, and a baby as young as two months should begin achieving milestones that continue steadily in the months and years to come. Bearing that in mind, certain factors can impact and impede a child’s developmental milestones:
Environmental factors such as cognitive (brain) stimulation, nutrition (or lack thereof), housing conditions, infections, pollution, and stress.
Neurological factors, including nervous system health
Physical factors like body balance, alignment, and musculoskeletal health
HOW PEDIATRIC CHIROPRACTIC CARE SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Chiropractic care in Greenville, SC can set a child on the path to successful developmental milestones. Let’s review the benefits of pediatric chiropractic care:
Improvement Of Your Child’s Sleep
When the body is amped up, the nervous system is in a sympathetic state. A restorative night’s sleep can only be achieved when the sympathetic nervous system is powered down and the parasympathetic (calm, rest, digest) nervous system is in full gear. The parasympathetic is composed of cells located at the top and bottom of the spine. Even the smallest imbalances in these regions of your child’s spine could be making it harder for them to fall asleep or stay asleep for longer periods.
Enhances Nervous System Function
Motor control is an important development milestone for young children. Chiropractic supports strong motor control and sensory integration. Moreso, adjustments can optimize a child’s nerve communications, improving their brain and body coordination.
Addresses Specific Developmental Challenges
Developmental delays and challenges such as speech development, fine motor skills, walking, and crawling can be difficult for parents to bear. They may feel unsure of who to turn to in these situations. Chiropractic pediatric care is a viable holistic option. By ensuring proper alignment and an optimal environment (e.g. balanced body and nervous system) for growth, a child can overcome some of these developmental challenges.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Know the signs if your child is struggling with developmental milestones.
They can include the following:
Muscle spasms
Clumsiness
Limp body posture (low vagal tone)
Challenges with swallowing
Speech delays
Muscle floppiness or stiffness
Lack of neck and/or head control
Delays in walking, sitting, or rolling over
Holistic modalities like chiropractic care can augment further interventions for a child’s cognitive development.
Finding a qualified pediatric chiropractor is a must. Just because a chiropractor “also sees kids” does not mean they are specialized in this population. Be picky with who you choose.
Here are some guidelines to help in your decision-making:
Visit the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Directory
Visit the Pediatric Experience Directory
Review these websites for your state to determine the chiropractor's credentials
Visit the chiropractor’s website to learn more about the services, available hours, and critical information (maybe see about a consultation first)
Call or visit the chiropractor to ask about services and availability
CONCLUSION
Pediatric chiropractic care in Greenville, SC is highly beneficial to developing children from infancy and beyond. This type of care can ensure healthy development in your growing child. Chiropractic care as a holistic form of healthcare can augment western medicine and further intervention down the road.
You child is destined for greatness! You got this.
Have further questions? Email us at hello@ourpatchfamilychiro.com!
