What to Expect at Your Baby's First Chiropractic Visit
If you've been thinking about bringing your baby in for chiropractic care but aren't sure what to expect, this post is for you. It's one of the most common questions I get from new parents and I completely understand why. The idea of someone adjusting your newborn can feel unfamiliar, even a little scary, until you actually see what it looks like.
Here's exactly what happens when you bring your baby to Essence Family Chiropractic for the first time.
Before You Arrive
When you schedule your baby's first visit you'll receive new patient paperwork to complete before you come in. This includes your baby's birth history, feeding patterns, sleep, any concerns you have, and what's been going on since birth.
Please fill this out thoroughly. Your baby's birth story is one of the most important pieces of information we have. Whether your birth was vaginal or cesarean, fast or slow, medicated or unmedicated, straightforward or complicated — every detail gives us context about what your baby's nervous system may have experienced and where we should focus our assessment.
When You Walk In
Our office is warm, calm, and designed with families in mind. There is nothing sterile or clinical feeling about it. You will be greeted by our team, shown around the space, and given time to get comfortable before anything else happens.
If you have other children with you, bring them. If you are still in the thick of the newborn fog and you need a minute, take it. We are not in a rush and we will not make you feel like you are.
The INSiGHT Nervous System Scan
Before we make any adjustment we run an INSiGHT nervous system scan on your baby. This is one of the things that sets our office apart from a general chiropractic practice.
The INSiGHT scan is completely non-invasive and uses no radiation. Small sensors are placed along your baby's spine to measure how the nervous system is functioning, where stress or tension may be present, and how well the nervous system is adapting. It is painless, takes just a few minutes, and most babies don't even flinch.
This scan gives us an objective, measurable picture of your baby's nervous system from the very start. It removes the guesswork and allows us to build a care plan that is specific to your baby rather than based on assumptions.
The Chiropractic Assessment
After the scan Dr. Kate will do a hands-on assessment of your baby's spine, neck, and surrounding soft tissues. She will check range of motion, look for areas of tension or restriction, and assess how the nervous system is responding.
This is where she will feel for the specific areas that need to be addressed. For most newborns and infants this assessment is gentle, quick, and completely comfortable.
What the Adjustment Actually Looks Like
This is the part most parents are most curious about before their first visit. And understandably so.
Adjustments for newborns and infants look nothing like adjustments for adults. There are no pops, no cracks, no twisting or forceful movements of any kind. The pressure Dr. Kate uses is about the same as you would use to check the softness of a ripe peach. That is it.
She will place one or two fingertips on the specific area that needs to be addressed and apply gentle, sustained pressure. That's the adjustment. Most babies don't react at all. Many relax visibly. Some fall asleep right on the table.
You are welcome to hold your baby during the assessment and adjustment if that helps them feel more comfortable. We work with you, not around you.
What Happens After
After the adjustment Dr. Kate will talk with you about what she found, what the INSiGHT scan showed, and what she recommends for your baby's care going forward. She will give you a clear picture of what to expect in terms of how many visits your baby may need and what progress typically looks like.
Some babies show noticeable changes within the first visit or two. Others take a little longer as the nervous system learns to regulate in a new way. We will keep you informed every step of the way.
What to Bring
Your completed new patient paperwork
A change of clothes for baby just in case
A feeding if your baby does better after eating
Your questions — we love them
A Note for Nervous Parents
If you are nervous about bringing your baby in, that is completely normal and completely okay. Many of our parents feel that way before their first visit and leave wondering why they waited so long.
You do not have to have it all figured out before you come in. You just have to show up. We will take it from there.
Ready to Book Your Baby's First Visit?
If you are in Oconomowoc, Hartland, Delafield, Pewaukee, Waukesha, or the greater Lake Country area, we would love to meet your baby. Call us at 262-354-8252 or schedule online through ChiroHD.
About the Author
Dr. Kate Nielsen, DC, IBCLC, BIRTHFIT Coach is the founder of Essence Family Chiropractic in Oconomowoc, WI, specializing in neurologically focused prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric care. Learn more at essencefamilychiropractic.com/about.