Baby Spine Curves – Whats Normal?

What a baby chiropractor checks

How you move and carry your baby in the first years of life can play an important role in spine development. A baby chiropractor can help you understand the correct alignment and when nature curves will start to developed is also important.

“C” Shape curve

Babies start life with a “c” shaped curve. Their legs are tucked in the frog leg position to take pressure off the hips and spine. They also regulate body temperature and digest food best in this position.

Neck Curve – start of “S” curve

As the infant develops sufficient strength and coordination to hold their head up, the neck curve begins to develop. Tummy time is the best way to encourage this curve. Arching their neck against the pull of gravity will strengthen the neck muscles.

Tummy time tips

Get down on the floor with your baby

Sing, talk, play peek-a-boo, interaction will create a positive association.

Aim for 30 minutes of tummy time a day ( 5-10min intervals)

Lumbar Curve –  completing the S curve

When your baby begins to crawl this curve is under way. Playing on their tummy, creeping and crawling is essential to muscle development. Babies will continue to develop this curve until they are upright and walking, usually between 12 -18. months once they have mastered walking upright.

It’s important to give your baby plenty of time and space to crawl and get stronger, this will support the natural development of the spine curves. A spine with underdeveloped or exaggerated curves is more prone to injury than a spine with the proper balance of primary and secondary curves

Tips to support normal spine development.

Baby carriers – wearing your baby is the most natural and calming positions in the first few months. Ensure your carrier has a wide seat that supports the frog leg position, taking pressure off the hips.

Capsule / Car seat – The nature development of the spine curves requires plenty of movement, long periods of restraint or cramped postures can affect this process. Find a car seats that has a wide seat base so the legs can spread out.

Changing nappies – common practice is to bring the ankles together and lift the low limbs, this creates more pressure in the mid-section of the spine, try rolling your baby onto their side.