5 Signs Your Baby Needs a Chiropractor in Temecula (And What They Really Mean)
You've tried everything. The swaddles, the sound machines, the different formulas, the gas drops. You've walked miles bouncing your baby at 2 AM. You've Googled every possible combination of symptoms, desperately looking for answers.
And yet, your baby is still struggling.
Here's what many parents don't realize: those persistent symptoms your baby is experiencing—the ones that aren't responding to traditional approaches—are often your baby's nervous system sending clear signals that something needs support.
At Taproot Chiropractic in Temecula, we see babies every week whose parents felt exactly like you do right now. Exhausted. Worried. Wondering if this is just "normal baby stuff" or if there's actually something that can help.
The truth? Your baby's body is trying to tell you something important. Let's decode those signals together.
Understanding Why Babies Develop These Symptoms
Before we dive into the specific signs, it's important to understand something that changes how most parents think about their baby's health challenges.
Your baby's nervous system is the master control center for everything their body does—from digesting milk to regulating sleep cycles to controlling muscle tension. When there's interference in how their brain and body communicate, it shows up as symptoms.
This interference, which chiropractors call subluxation, often happens during pregnancy and birth. Even "normal, uncomplicated" births can create stress on a baby's developing spine and nervous system. Think about it: your baby went from a compressed position in the womb to being pushed (or pulled) through the birth canal, or lifted through a cesarean incision.
That's a lot of physical stress on a tiny body.
At Taproot Chiropractic, we focus on two essential questions that help us understand what's really happening with your baby:
Are there inefficiencies in how your baby's brain receives, processes, and sends information?
What tools is your baby currently using to process and engage with their world?
These questions help us look beyond the symptoms to understand the root neurological patterns affecting your baby's comfort and development.
Now, let's look at the five most common signs that your baby's nervous system needs support.
Sign #1: Your Baby Has Difficulty Latching or Only Nurses Well on One Side
What you're noticing: Your baby seems to prefer one breast over the other, fusses when you try to nurse on the "difficult" side, or struggles to latch deeply. You might notice they can't turn their head as easily in one direction, or feeding sessions feel more like a battle than bonding time.
What it often means: This is one of the earliest and most common signs of nervous system stress in newborns. When there's tension in the muscles of your baby's neck, jaw, or upper back—or when the nerves controlling these areas aren't communicating efficiently—it physically affects their ability to turn their head, open their mouth wide, and coordinate the complex sucking motion needed for successful breastfeeding.
Many parents are told this is a "tongue tie" issue, and while tongue ties can certainly play a role, we often find there's also a nervous system component that gets missed. Your baby might have the range of motion on the exam table but can't access it functionally during feeding because their nervous system is in a protective, stressed state.
How this connects to development: Feeding is your baby's first major neurological task. It requires coordination between their brain, sensory system, and muscles. When this foundation is compromised, it can set the stage for other developmental challenges down the road. Plus, inefficient feeding means your baby isn't getting optimal nutrition, and you're likely experiencing pain, frustration, and worry about weight gain.
Sign #2: Hours of Crying Despite Trying Everything (Colic)
What you're noticing: Your baby cries for extended periods—often 3+ hours a day, multiple days a week. They pull their legs up, arch their back, seem to be in pain, and nothing you do provides lasting relief. The crying often peaks in the evening, and you've tried every colic remedy without success.
What it often means: While "colic" is the label given to unexplained crying, it's actually your baby's nervous system telling you it's overwhelmed and stuck in stress mode. When a baby's nervous system is dysregulated, they can't shift into the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state needed for comfort and calm.
Think of it this way: your baby's nervous system has two settings—growth mode and protection mode. Just like adults, babies can't be in both states at once. When stress (from birth, from environmental factors, from physical tension) keeps them stuck in protection mode, their body prioritizes survival over comfort. Digestion slows down, muscle tension increases, and their stress response stays activated.
This is why colic babies often also have digestive issues, startle easily, and struggle to settle—it's all connected to nervous system dysregulation.
How this connects to development: Chronic stress in infancy doesn't just affect today—it can impact how your baby's nervous system develops long-term. Early intervention to help your baby's nervous system downregulate can change their entire developmental trajectory. We're not just addressing crying; we're supporting foundational brain development during the most critical window.
Sign #3: Your Baby's Head Is Always Turned to the Same Side (Torticollis)
What you're noticing: Your baby consistently looks in one direction. They might have a flat spot developing on one side of their head (plagiocephaly). When you try to turn their head the other way, they resist or cry. You might notice one shoulder is higher than the other, or they curve their body to one side.
What it often means: Torticollis—tight neck muscles that restrict head rotation—is often a sign of subluxation in the upper cervical spine (the top bones in the neck). This area is incredibly important because it houses the brainstem, where many essential functions are controlled.
When there's tension or misalignment here, it doesn't just affect your baby's ability to turn their head. It can interfere with nerve communication between the brain and body, affecting everything from muscle tone to digestion to sleep regulation.
Birth interventions like vacuum extraction, forceps, or even a very fast or very long labor can create this tension. But here's what's important: this isn't something your baby will simply "grow out of." Without intervention, the body compensates, creating patterns that can affect motor development, crawling, and even vision development as your baby grows.
How this connects to development: Head rotation is foundational for developing proper motor patterns. Babies need to be able to move their heads freely to develop bilateral coordination, visual tracking, and eventually skills like rolling and crawling. Addressing torticollis early prevents compensatory patterns that can show up later as developmental delays or learning challenges.
Sign #4: Excessive Spit-Up or Reflux After Every Feeding
What you're noticing: Your baby spits up significant amounts after most feedings—it's not just a little dribble. They might choke, gag, or arch their back during or after eating. They seem uncomfortable lying flat, and you've become an expert at stain removal and always have a burp cloth handy.
What it often means: While reflux is often treated as a stomach or esophagus problem, it's frequently a nervous system issue. The vagus nerve—which runs from the brainstem down through the neck and into the digestive system—controls the muscles that keep stomach contents where they belong.
When there's stress or subluxation in the upper cervical spine where the vagus nerve exits, it can interfere with proper digestive function. The result? The sphincter between your baby's esophagus and stomach doesn't work efficiently, leading to reflux.
Additionally, when your baby's nervous system is stuck in stress mode, digestion slows down. Food sits in the stomach longer, increasing the likelihood of reflux. Many parents notice their baby's reflux is worse during stressful times or in the evening when nervous system dysregulation peaks.
How this connects to development: Beyond the discomfort and laundry, reflux affects your baby's nutrition, sleep, and overall stress levels. Babies with reflux often don't eat as well (because eating hurts), don't sleep as well (because lying flat is uncomfortable), and develop increased nervous system stress from the chronic discomfort. This creates a cycle that can impact weight gain, immune function, and developmental progress.
Sign #5: Your Baby Won't Sleep Longer Than 20-30 Minutes at a Time
What you're noticing: Your baby startles awake constantly, can't transition between sleep cycles, and seems uncomfortable no matter what position you try. They might sleep better being held upright but wake immediately when laid down. You're beyond exhausted, and everyone keeps telling you this is "just what babies do."
What it often means: While some waking is normal for babies, frequent startling and inability to stay asleep often indicates nervous system dysregulation. When a baby's nervous system is stuck in sympathetic (stress) mode, their startle reflex stays hyperactive, and they can't downregulate into the parasympathetic state needed for deep, restorative sleep.
Additionally, physical discomfort from subluxation can make lying flat painful or uncomfortable. Many babies with upper cervical tension sleep better when held upright because it takes pressure off the affected areas—but that's not sustainable for parents or healthy for long-term development.
Sleep is when your baby's brain consolidates learning, processes sensory input, and supports growth. When sleep is constantly disrupted, it affects everything from mood to immune function to developmental progress.
How this connects to development: Sleep isn't just rest—it's when your baby's brain develops. During sleep, neural connections are strengthened, growth hormones are released, and the immune system is supported. Chronic sleep disruption in infancy can impact cognitive development, emotional regulation, and even set the stage for sleep issues throughout childhood.
What All These Signs Have in Common
If you're reading this and thinking, "My baby has multiple symptoms on this list," you're not alone. Here's why: all these symptoms share the same root cause—nervous system stress and interference.
Your baby isn't defective. They're not "just a fussy baby." Their body is doing exactly what it's designed to do: sending clear signals that their nervous system needs support.
At Taproot Chiropractic, we don't just address individual symptoms. We look at the whole picture through our two guiding questions:
Are there inefficiencies in how your baby's brain receives, processes, and sends information?
This is where we assess for subluxation—areas where nerve communication is being interfered with. Using gentle, specific adjustments (no harder than the pressure you'd use to check a tomato for ripeness), we remove this interference so your baby's nervous system can function optimally.
What tools is your baby currently using to process and engage with their world?
Babies stuck in stress mode are using survival tools—protection, tension, dysregulation. Our goal is to help shift them into growth mode, where they can access tools like calm, coordination, and healthy development.
The Taproot Approach: Looking at Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms
Here's what makes our approach different: we don't just work on tight muscles or try to "crack" your baby's back (we don't, by the way—pediatric adjustments are incredibly gentle).
We use a tonal approach to chiropractic care, which means we're working with your baby's nervous system tone—helping it shift from stressed and protective to calm and regulated. We're addressing the underlying neurological patterns, not just the surface symptoms.
Our comprehensive approach includes:
Non-invasive nervous system assessment: We use advanced scanning technology to objectively measure how your baby's nervous system is functioning, showing us exactly where interference exists
Gentle, specific adjustments: Using techniques specifically designed for infants, we address subluxations and support optimal nerve communication
Developmental guidance: We help you understand where your baby is developmentally and what you can do at home to support their nervous system between visits
Whole-family support: Because nervous system health isn't just about adjustments—it's about creating an environment where your baby's nervous system can thrive
What Parents Can Expect
When parents bring their babies to Taproot Chiropractic, they often report changes within the first few visits:
Better latching and more efficient feeding
Reduced crying and increased calm periods
Improved head rotation and reduced muscle tension
Less frequent or severe reflux episodes
Longer sleep stretches and easier settling
But beyond the immediate symptom relief, parents tell us the most meaningful change is seeing their baby finally comfortable in their own body—able to engage, develop, and thrive the way they were meant to.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care for Babies
Is chiropractic care safe for babies?
Absolutely. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are incredibly gentle—no more pressure than you'd use to check a tomato for ripeness. We use specialized techniques developed specifically for infants. Research shows that pediatric chiropractic care is safe and effective when performed by a trained chiropractor. Our approach is tonal and specific—we're not "cracking" your baby's back. Many babies sleep through their adjustments or seem visibly more relaxed afterward.
How is adjusting a baby different from adjusting an adult?
Completely different. The amount of pressure needed to adjust an infant's spine is equivalent to the pressure you'd use to gently press on your closed eyelid—that's it. Babies don't need the same force adults do because their bodies are smaller, more adaptable, and respond quickly to gentle input. We use our fingertips, not our whole hands, and the adjustments are quick, gentle, and specific.
How soon after birth can a baby be adjusted?
We can safely see babies within the first few days of life. In fact, the earlier we can assess and address nervous system stress from birth, the better. Many symptoms—like difficulty latching or excessive crying—show up immediately after birth, and early intervention can prevent these issues from becoming established patterns.
How many visits will my baby need?
Every baby is different, but most babies need more frequent visits initially (often 2-3 times per week for the first few weeks) as we're retraining nervous system patterns and addressing built-up tension. As your baby's nervous system stabilizes and symptoms improve, we space visits further apart. Our goal is always to help your baby's body hold adjustments longer and need less frequent care over time.
Will my baby cry during the adjustment?
Some babies sleep through their entire adjustment. Others might fuss briefly—not from pain, but because they're being positioned in a way that stretches tight muscles. Most babies are calm or sleepy after adjustments. If your baby does cry, it's typically very brief and followed by visible relaxation. Many parents report their baby is noticeably calmer after visits.
What if my baby doesn't have all these symptoms—should they still be checked?
Yes! Just like you wouldn't wait for your baby to have a cavity before seeing a dentist, you don't need to wait for symptoms to support your baby's nervous system health. Many parents bring babies in for wellness checks to ensure optimal development and prevent issues before they start. Birth is physically stressful for babies—even "easy" births—and a nervous system assessment can identify areas of stress before they develop into symptoms.
Does insurance cover pediatric chiropractic care?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Many plans do cover chiropractic care for children. We can provide you with superbills to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. We believe in making care accessible and will work with you to create a care plan that fits your family's needs.
Your Next Step: The Free 15-Minute Consultation
If you're reading this and recognizing your baby in these descriptions, you don't have to figure this out alone.
We offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation where we can:
Discuss your baby's specific symptoms and birth history
Answer your questions about how chiropractic care might help
Explain what the assessment and care process would look like
Help you decide if our approach is right for your family
There's no pressure, no obligation—just answers and support from someone who understands what you're going through.
Ready to help your baby feel better? Book your free 15-minute consultation here or call our Temecula office at (951)223-5587.
Want to learn more first? Explore our infant and pediatric care services here to understand our complete approach to supporting your baby's development.
Supporting Your Baby's Nervous System Starts Here
Your baby's symptoms aren't random, and you're not imagining that something needs support. Those persistent issues are your baby's nervous system asking for help—and there are answers.
At Taproot Chiropractic in Temecula, we're here to support your family from those exhausting newborn days through every developmental milestone. Because when we address the root neurological causes early, we're not just solving today's symptoms—we're supporting your child's entire developmental future.
Your baby deserves to feel comfortable in their own body. And you deserve to feel confident that you're doing everything you can to support their health and development.
Let's work together to give your baby the strong neurological foundation they need to thrive.
