How Chiropractic Care Can Help Your Child Reach Milestones

From the moment our children are born, we eagerly watch for every first—the first smile, first roll, first step, first word. And when we see other babies hitting milestones faster, it’s only natural to wonder if our little one is on track. We may find ourselves wondering…

Why isn’t my baby rolling over yet?

Wait, your child already has teeth?!

Shouldn’t my little one be crawling by now?

Why isn’t my toddler talking as much as her friend?

The truth is, every child develops at their own pace. Some babies walk before their first birthday, while others take their time. Some start talking in full sentences early on, while others focus more on movement. While these differences are normal, reaching developmental milestones is still an essential part of your child’s growth and progress. And as parents, we all want to see our children reach their milestones with ease.

Why Isn’t My Child Reaching Their Milestones?

It can be concerning when your child seems to be falling behind, especially when you see other children crawling, walking, or talking before them. While every child develops at their own pace, there are times when underlying factors may be contributing to delays. These can include physical, environmental, or neurological barriers that affect movement, coordination, and overall development.

Some common reasons a child may struggle to reach milestones include:

• Physical Barriers: Lack of mobility, strength, coordination, or spinal misalignments (subluxations) that interfere with movement. Oral restrictions, such as tongue and lip ties, can also impact feeding, speech development, and nervous system stress.
• Environmental Barriers: Early life traumas, overstimulation, lack of proper nutrition, or limited opportunities for movement and exploration.
• Neurological Barriers: Delays in nervous system development, which can impact brain-body communication and coordination.

Can a Chiropractor Help My Child Reach Milestones?

Yes! Visiting a pediatric chiropractor is a great way to help ensure your child reaches their milestones. Through regular chiropractic adjustments, we can identify and gently correct misalignments in your child’s spine, known as subluxations. These misalignments can put pressure on the nervous system, limiting movement, coordination, and overall development. We can also recommend movements and exercises to build strength and mobility.

By removing the subluxations, chiropractic care allows the brain and nervous system to better communicate. By opening these pathways, we can ensure that all systems in your child’s body are functioning properly. This could assist in your kiddo finally getting on their knees to crawl or even perfect his fine motor skills to zip up his jacket.

Chiropractic care also supports the overall function of your child’s musculoskeletal system, which plays a key role in coordination and balance. From gross motor movements like crawling, walking, and jumping to fine motor skills like drawing and tying shoes, chiropractic care can help with it all!

I’m Concerned About My Child. What Should I Look Out For?

While it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, there are some warning signs to be aware of. If your child is struggling to meet key developmental milestones, it may indicate an underlying challenge that needs attention.

Some signs to watch for include:

• Frequent loss of balance or clumsiness, including falling often
• Speech delays or difficulty with pronunciation
• Favoring one side of the body (crawling using only one side, rolling only one way, consistently turning their head in one direction, etc.)
• Failing to crawl or displaying an unusual crawling pattern (such as scooting on the bottom, using only arms, or skipping crawling altogether)
• Struggling to sit up independently or maintain posture
• Challenges with feeding, such as difficulty swallowing, latching issues, or excessive drooling beyond infancy
• Delayed or limited communication skills, including difficulty socializing or making eye contact
• Not reaching for or grasping objects
• Avoiding tummy time or showing discomfort in certain positions
• Walking on their toes (toe walking) or an unusual gait pattern
• Persistent head tilt or flat spots on the head (which may indicate torticollis or plagiocephaly, affecting head and neck mobility)

If your child exhibits any of these actions or behaviors, it may be helpful to consult a pediatric chiropractor. Chiropractic care can be a valuable tool in supporting their nervous system, improving coordination, and helping them reach their milestones with greater ease. For more signs that your baby may benefit from chiropractic care, check out 10 Signs Your Baby Needs to See a Chiropractor.

Next Steps

If you’re concerned about your child reaching their milestones, we’re here to help! Pediatric chiropractic care can support your child’s nervous system, improve coordination, and support them as they grow and develop. At Well Family Chiropractic, we specialize in care for babies, kids, and families, providing gentle, effective adjustments to support healthy development. We’d love to help your child thrive! To learn more about how chiropractic care can support your little one’s growth or to get started, request an appointment today.