Sleeping Soundly: How Chiropractic Care Unlocks Sweet Dreams for Moms and Babies
In the month of February, we have practice members tell us why they LOVE chiropractic. This is when we are reminded that most moms and kiddos see improvements in stress and sleep with adjustments. Today, we delve deeper into the reasons behind this phenomenon and explore how chiropractic care can enhance sleep quality for both moms and their babies.
Sleeping Soundly:
How Chiropractic Care Improves Sleep for Moms and Babies.
Jackie and Rebecca (pictured above) started getting adjusted for postpartum recovery and difficulty nursing. Jackie noticed pain improvement and Rebecca’s latch, digestion, and nursing efficiency improved! Soon, Jackie noticed that they both started sleeping so much better once they started getting adjusted. - Photo credit: Pics By Nic
Chiropractic Care and Sleep for Moms:
For many mothers, sleep can become elusive due to various reasons, including pain, discomfort, and nervous system dysregulation. Pregnancy and the postpartum period often bring about physical challenges such as sciatica, hip pain, and low back pain, all of which can interfere with sleep patterns. Pregnant moms find themself struggling to fall asleep, tossing and turning, and waking with pain. Additionally, hormonal changes and the physical demands of motherhood contribute to stress on the body, exacerbating these discomforts.
We often see tight shoulders, tingling into the arms and hands, and even hand weakness in the nursing days of motherhood. Carrying a toddler on one hip and cooking dinner the with opposite hand wears on the body, leaving you feeling tired, sore, and in pain by the end of the day. Moms under regular chiropractic care notice they sleep better due to less pain from these common occurrences.
The sneakiest of sleep disturbances is digestive issues. This can stem from the use of antibiotics during labor or postpartum or increased estrogen levels. We see gut dysbiosis and slowed liver and gallbladder function. This can disrupt your sleep or wake you at the same time each night. With organ chiropractic adjustments and nutritional support, we can see improvements in sleep.
Moreover, nervous system dysregulation can leave mothers feeling unable to wind down or constantly on edge, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep. The autonomic nervous system, responsible for controlling bodily functions, can become imbalanced, keeping individuals in a perpetual state of "fight or flight." Gentle chiropractic adjustments bring the nervous system out of “fight or flight” into a balanced state. Moms often boast their best night of sleep after an adjustment!
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to addressing these issues. By alleviating physical discomfort through adjustments, improving organ function through targeted techniques, and promoting nervous system balance, chiropractors help mothers achieve restorative sleep patterns. By reducing stress on the body and facilitating relaxation, chiropractic adjustments enable mothers to transition into a state of rest and digestion, essential for quality sleep.
Chiropractic Care and Sleep for Babies:
Similarly, babies may struggle with sleep due to pain, digestive issues, and nervous system dysregulation. The birthing process, whether natural or assisted, can exert significant pressure on a baby's delicate neck and spine, leading to discomfort that interferes with sleep. Forceps, vacuum extraction, or cesarean sections can further compound these issues, necessitating gentle adjustments to realign the spine and alleviate tension.
Digestive discomfort, characterized by difficulties in burping, gas, and bowel movements, can also disrupt a baby's sleep patterns. Babies may spend restless nights grappling with discomfort, causing distress for both the infant and their parents.
Nervous system dysregulation, stemming from a stressful pregnancy or birth experience, can keep babies in a heightened state of alertness, making it challenging for them to relax and settle into sleep. This is compounded by digested upset that often comes along with nervous system dysregulation. Chiropractic assessments, such as heart rate variability measurements, can identify imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, guiding tailored interventions to promote relaxation and sleep. If you know that your baby is struggling, but you just can’t pinpoint why, the HRV measurements give us a view into your baby’s nervous system regulation. Moms often feel affirmed to know that they DO know their baby.
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to addressing sleep disturbances in both mothers and babies. By addressing the root causes of discomfort, improving organ function, and restoring nervous system balance, chiropractors empower individuals to achieve restorative sleep patterns essential for overall health and well-being.
When mom and baby get good sleep, the entire family can get back to doing what they love!
If you resonate with the challenges discussed or seek support in improving sleep quality for yourself or your baby, we invite you to connect with us. Our team offers complimentary discovery calls to discuss how chiropractic care can benefit you and your family. Prioritize your sleep and overall wellness with Early Beginnings Chiropractic Care.