December 05, 2010
Do you know that how you care for your newborn baby can affect the development of its spine?
When the baby is in the womb, and when they are first born, the spine is in a "C configuration. This is called the primary curve. The secondary curves have not yet been formed and the early days and months of the baby's life are of the utmost importance in the development of these curves.
The First Secondary Curve: Most parents realize that their newborn baby cannot support the weight of its head. At this time the baby's head must be supported. It is important to be careful how you hold the baby, always caring to support the neck and head. The baby's little neck continues to wobble and they strain to hold their heads upright. As the baby gets older, these motions and exercises develop the muscles of the neck and begin to promote the development of the first secondary curve of the spine which is the arch of the neck.
The Second Secondary Curve: This second secondary curve continues to develop when the baby begins creeping and crawling. When the baby gets up on their hands and knees you can see the arch in the low back. Many babies today simply are not allowed to creep and crawl long enough. Let your baby creep and crawl like nature intended.
*Used by permission of Patty Barge D.C. http://bargechiropractic.comCarefully research all carrying devices to be sure your baby's spine and head are supported in a neutral position. The baby's head should not be in cervical rotation or tilt back and forth with the parents movements.