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Building your Baby's Brain
What do we know about brain development?
The first thing that we know is that when a baby is born, their brain is not fully developed. They have all of the physical structures, but the structures are not connected.
How does a baby's brain move through development?
In order to move through development, a baby relies on experiences from the outside world to shape and form the architecture of their developing brain. The brain blooms like a flower.
How is the brain fed information about the experiences and environment?
All experiences are processed through the nervous system. In order for the brain to process the environment and experiences, it is in, the spine has to be properly aligned and able to move appropriately. This encourages the most appropriate information to communicate between the brain and body.
What happens if there is stress during the period
of brain development?
Stress has a profound impact on brain development. Physical, chemical, and emotional stress impacts how the brain moves through development. According to the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, stress impacts the architecture of the developing brain to have a fragile foundation.
How does my newborn have stress, and what
can we do about it?
Stress can come in many different ways in our babies. The most common is the birthing process where there is a lot of pressure put on the baby's head and neck regardless of how the baby is born. Physical, chemical, and emotional stressors are often seen during the pregnancy, especially if mom is under stress. Although we cannot get rid of stress, the best thing we can do is make sure the body is best able to adapt to the stressors around it.
When most parents hear the term "Pediatric Chiropractic" in reference to newborn babies, they usually have a couple of questions. The first is, "why does a baby need a chiropractic adjustment?" And second is, "What does an adjustment on a baby even look like?" So many moms and dads are looking for science-backed ways that they can help their baby grow optimally, whether it is proactively or if there is a current struggle going on.
For nine months, a baby will be floating in a calm, dark, peaceful environment where all of her needs are met. Then one day, the walls start closing in on her. Eventually, her head will engage with the inside end of the birth canal. From that point on, her head becomes a battering ram to force her way through the tiny opening of the birth canal. Now all the force that the mom generates from her contractions is transmitted to the baby, especially the head and neck. This incredible force is what causes a baby's head to be elongated immediately after the birth process..
Once his head is out, we still have the body left to pass through. But now, there is something for the birth assistants to hold onto to help mom out. At this point in our second child's birth, the doctor twisted her neck completely to the left side and pulled on her head and neck. Then she turned her head in the complete opposite direction and pulled again. to get her shoulders to come through the birth canal. Can you imagine the amount of damage done to the top bones in her neck?
The birthing process is the first crisis that we go through, and research and experience have shown that vertebral subluxations are extremely common in newborn babies.
Why are vertebral subluxations significant?
Vertebral subluxations distort the nervous system's ability to process the environment. The brain is dependent on the information from the outside world to determine function and development. This need is why we have senses.
We are taught that we have five senses, but there are actually at least eight. The five most known senses are outside the body sensors. The three lesser-known senses are inside the body detectors. It is the three internal sensors that have the most significant impact on brain development and maturation.
Proprioception is the sensation of your body in space. Interoception is the perception of the internal signals of your body. The vestibular system is the CEO or orchestra of all sensory systems.
Harvard University on Brain Development
According to Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, early experiences affect the development of brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. Just as a weak foundation compromises the quality and strength of a house, adverse experiences early in life can impair brain architecture, with adverse effects lasting into adulthood.
Chiropractic care for babies focuses on building a strong foundation for brain development. By correcting vertebral subluxations, babies can process their environment optimally, and therefore their brain has the best chance to develop a strong foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health for your child.
What does an adjustment look like for a baby?
An adjustment of a baby is exceptionally different than an adjustment for an adult. Since most babies are incredibly flexible, the force needed is minimal.
We show parents that many times, the force they use to burp their baby is greater than the force we use to adjust them. The average amount of force used is about the same used to test an avocado or tomato's ripeness.
Since adjusting babies is way different than adjusting adults, Dr. Vin has spent hundreds of training with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and the International Chiropractors Association for a Diplomate in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics.
How do we get started
Step 1: How long has the stress been there?
The first step is to take a detailed history so we can determine how long the stress has been affecting your baby's nervous system.
Step 2: How much stress is there?
The second step is to do a neurological scan and exam to determine how much stress there is in your baby's nervous system.
Step 3: Execute Care Plan
Then based on that information, we make a plan and execute it so your baby can build a strong foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.