When babies are born their spine made up of cartilage and their spine will have a convex curve in the shape of the letter C. This spinal alignment is called the primary curve and develops in utero. 

A newborn will tuck their legs into a frog leg position, thighs pulling up toward the chest. This fetal tuck reduces the pressure on the spine and hips. The fetal tuck is also the most calming position for your baby, as they use less oxygen and conserve energy. It is also the best position for regulating body temperature.

Development of spinal curves

Tummy time becomes very important in development of the spinal curves. Lifting the head up helps form the neck curve, which is the first curve to develop. The final spinal curve to develop is in the lower back. This curve starts to develop when your baby begins to crawl.  Babies will complete their spinal development between 12-18 months, once walking upright has been mastered.

Once the child is upright and walking, checking posture is important to the developing spine. As growth spurts are constantly happening. Poor posture can be an indication of a dysfunction. If the posture is addressed as the child grows, it is much easier too correct, rather than leave it to cause bad movement patters and compensations. Proper posture should look like the following:

Standing behind the child (or adult)

• Head and neck straight and in line with the tailbone, no head tilt.
• Shoulder height even on both sides, without rotation.
• Waist and hips level on both sides, without rotation.

Standing on the side of the person

• Ear in line with the middle of the shoulder, no chin forward.
• Shoulders in line with hips.
• Hips in line with knees and ankles.

What causes bad posture

Tummy time is the most important exercise that a baby can do. It develops their core strength, helps to form their neck curvature, stimulates the brain and contributes to proper muscle tone. Always laying baby on their back causes a flat head! This will push the eyes out lateral from the nose, as well as, it causes the spine to not be able to form properly.

Putting baby in jumpers, Bumbo chairs, high chairs, (anything that causes the baby to sit or stand before they have developed their spinal curves) are also a no-no.

Screen time results in the heavy weight of our heads causing strain on the neck from the excessive looking down. (This goes for computer work, for adults, as well as, phone and tablet usage.) Make sure when you are looking at technology you are looking straight ahead and not down.

Chiropractic

Chiropractors work with people of all ages. Having proper posture is really important for your health and your spinal cord. The spinal cord is housed within the vertebra (bones) of your spine. Proper spinal curvatures help reduce the pressure put on the spinal cord and in turn help with functioning of all body systems, organs and movement.

Chiropractic can help with proper crawling (to help develop curves) as well as making sure the spine is aligned. Misalignment can show up as pain, crying, reflux, ear infections, wetting the bed, etc. Monthly adjustments for young kids can help prevent issues that cause pain and improper movement.

If you have any questions give us or a chiropractor near you a call! Chiropractic can help with overall health, as well as, proper function! Get your kids and you out moving! Put the phone down, do some activity outside sitting and staring at a screen.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036