Colicky Babies and Caring Chiropractic
It was because of my daughter, Isabel, that I became a chiropractor. I had been interested in the field of chiropractic for years. I had gone to a chiropractor for my own aches and pains, and it always felt like magic. But I pursued a career in teaching instead. When Isabel was born, I was pretty sure I was going to have the world's most perfect baby. And then she started to cry. And cry. And cry. Then she started to vomit after every time she nursed. She gained the nickname, Isabeller by 4 weeks old. She was only slightly happier when positioned over my left shoulder which meant I started to lose hearing in that ear. I had no idea what to do.
I took her to our family doctor. He examined my screaming child by listening to her heart and lungs. He noted that she was gaining weight, she was hitting her milestones. He stated that though he was sure she did in fact projectile vomit after every feeding, she was fine.
How could this be fine? She was screaming. Her little blood-curdling screams would make her face turn bright red. Tiny tears would squeeze from her clenched eyes. 10 minutes after every feeding her vomit would hit the wall, or table, or refrigerator or which ever object was near while I was walking her around and around and around the house. I was losing my mind along with my hearing. I had a colicky baby and I didn't know what to do.
My husband at the time suggested we see his sister-in-law who was a chiropractor. I felt embarrassed to bring Isabel over to her house. It wasn't that I thought she couldn't help my child, but my doctor had told me Isabel was fine, she was on track and normal, that she would grow out of it. I thought his sister-in-law would think I was being dramatic and dismissive of a medical professional.
When Heather took my daughter into her hands I realized she was actually checking, feeling to see if something didn't "feel good" to Isabel. She took the time to examine Isabel. She gently moved Isabel's head from side to side. She talked to Isabel in a soothing voice reassuring her that things will get better.
I was in labor for 12 hours with Isabel. While pushing, she got stuck on my pubic bone so the nurses had me squatting over a bar to move Isabel into a better position off the pubic bone. I pushed for an hour. AN HOUR, squatting. Isabel, if you are reading this, I love you and I wouldn't have done that for just anyone.
As Heather was treating Isabel, she talked me through everything she was finding. How when she pressed certain areas of Isabel's spine, those areas didn't move as freely. I noticed how Isabel would cringe during these moments. She talked about how certain nerves can affect the stomach and make you feel nauseous. Her hands moved around Isabel's ears, base of her skull, all the time her gentle talk matching the magic she was doing with her hands.
And my screaming Isabeller became placid in Heather's hands. Isabel started cooing. I started crying. Heather treated Isabel two more times in the next two weeks. From that point on, Isabel no longer screamed for hours on end. She no longer vomited after every meal. She slept better. She became happier. As a bonus, I also regained my hearing.
Chiropractic isn't magic even though it often feels like it is. Birth is one of the most physically traumatic events a child can go through. We can't simply ask babies how they are feeling. We have to figure out their cues and at times trust our gut that something isn't right, even when told that our children are perfectly normal. At Health Connections Chiropractic Center, I am dedicated to helping children because I know the difference it makes. I understand feeling helpless as a parent and the gift that chiropractic care gave to my daughter.
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