When did “raising a baby” become a political debate. I thought you were just supposed to raise a baby and have fun. These days, parents are constantly worried. One of those reasons is that society has been putting pressure on parents. Society thinks it knows what’s best for your babies and has been putting unnecessary pressure and stress on parents. In the end, I did come to realize that everyone knows everything and no one knows anything.

“Breast is Best” vs “Fed is Best”. There is no denying there are antibodies in breast milk. They are supposed to make the baby’s immune system stronger and the baby smarter. For you bottle feeders out there, I was bottle-fed and I’m a Doctor of Chiropractic. I am one of seven siblings – all bottle-fed – and we are all healthy and we have a Dentist, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and a Doctor of Osteopathy in the family. I’m not showing off, I’m just sharing that the milk source does not determine health or intelligence. My nephew is bottle-fed and he is ahead in all his milestones and thank G-d, as well, his immune system is strong. Yes he has gotten craniosacral and yes he has gotten chiropractic. It does not matter HOW you feed your children. Do what you believe in your heart is best for you and your baby! I support whatever option you choose and craniosacral and chiropractic may help.

In 1992, after reviewing British and Australian research on SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that parents put babies to bed exclusively on their backs in their first year (NYtimes.com). Other potential causes of SIDS I’ve come across in my studies are the chemicals in the mattress and Lip/Tongue Ties. My mom put me and all my siblings to sleep on our stomach and 7 out of 7 lived. Again, I’m not mentioning this because this is the better way. I also err on the side of caution; however, the rise in back sleeping has led to a rise in plagiocephaly and torticollis (secondary). As a side note, if you want to let your baby sleep on tummy, they make devices now that literally monitor your baby’s abdominal movement and vital signs. They even have a device that if the device does not detect any abdominal movement for 20 seconds, a little alarm sounds to startle the baby to wake up.

I know a baby that was born and had a fractured clavicle at birth followed by jaundice. No plagiocephaly or torticollis at birth. After constant back sleeping and putting him on his back in soothing swings, the parents began to notice a slight head tilt and some flattening of the back of his head. After changing positions, doing tummy time and taking him to a Chiropractor and Craniosacral, the plagiocephaly and torticollis corrected itself. However your baby sleeps, I support whatever option you choose and craniosacral and chiropractic may help.

Pro-vaccinators will show you kids dying from not getting a vaccine. Anti-vaccinators will show you a correlation between vaccines and autism. Another study showed that autism may be caused by overproduction of craniosacral fluid which may be putting pressure on the central nervous system. Another study showed that autism may be caused by having too many insensitivities/allergies. I do believe that getting Chiropractic, Craniosacral and NAET before and after vaccines does help the child respond better. With or without vaccines, isn’t a strong and healthy nervous system and immune system a wonderful thing to have? I support whatever option you choose and craniosacral and chiropractic may help.

In the end, everyone knows everything and no one knows anything. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, whether you choose to tummy sleep or back sleep, whether you choose to vaccinate or not, I support you! As long as you are acting in the BEST interest of your child, I support you. With any of these choices, I strongly consider taking your children to a Chiropractor, Craniosacral Therapist, Acupuncturist and NAET practitioner as these professions focus on health and wellness and aim to strengthen the nervous and immune systems (among many other amazing benefits).

Written by: Dr. Mary Nochimson

Published: 2/11/19