Birth Trauma and Its Effects on Children

As parents, nothing matters more than protecting our children. From the moment they enter the world, we want them to be safe, thriving, and happy. But here’s something many parents aren’t told: birth itself can be a big event for a baby’s delicate body and nervous system.

Even the smoothest births can place stress on a newborn’s tiny spine and nervous system. Add in interventions like forceps, vacuum extraction, C-sections, or even a long, stalled labor, and that stress can rise dramatically. According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), birth interventions increase the likelihood of stress and tension being stored in the baby’s nervous system. This is what we call birth trauma—and while the word “trauma” sounds scary, it doesn’t mean your child is broken. It means their little body may be holding onto stress that can manifest in ways you might not immediately connect to their birth.

What Birth Trauma Looks Like

Birth trauma doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as:

• Baby only wants to nurse on one side

• Trouble latching or feeding

• Colic or excessive fussiness

• Reflux or digestive upset

• Prefers turning their head one way (flat spots developing on the head)

• Sensory sensitivities or trouble sleeping

Over time, if the nervous system doesn’t get a chance to reset, these stress patterns can grow with your child. As Dr. Robert Melillo, author of Disconnected Kids, explains, early stress and imbalances in the brain-body connection may contribute to developmental delays, learning challenges, behavior challenges, or recurring illnesses. I like to remind parents: “Children don’t grow out of things; they grow into them.” A baby who struggles with feeding may become a toddler with digestive sensitivities, or a child with frequent colds, or even a teen with anxiety. By addressing the root cause—the nervous system—we help change that trajectory, change that child’s life, allowing them to live to their fullest potential!

Why the Nervous System Matters

Your child’s nervous system acts as the “command center” for everything—growth, digestion, immune health, emotions, and even sleep. If birth trauma causes the nervous system to become 'stuck,” it can disrupt the body's balance. Since the nervous system is the foundation for your child’s health, development, and emotional well-being, the sooner we can help release stored stress, the better we prepare them for thriving—not just surviving.

Dr. Sue Brown, a pioneer in tonal chiropractic, often reminded us: “The body stores everything. It doesn’t forget until it’s given the opportunity to release.” Gentle pediatric chiropractic care helps give the body that opportunity—releasing stored stress, restoring balance, and supporting natural healing.

Through research and case studies, PX Docs highlights how thousands of parents have seen dramatic changes in their children’s health after addressing birth trauma. Babies who struggled with colic became calm and content, toddlers with feeding challenges began to thrive, and children who were constantly sick became more resilient. You can explore their parent-centered resources here: PX Docs Birth Trauma (https://pxdocs.com/articles/birth-trauma/).

A Foundation for Lifelong Health

Why is it so important to address this early? Because children don’t simply “grow out” of these patterns—they often grow into them. A baby who can’t turn their head fully may develop chronic tension. A child who struggles with digestion or immune stress early on may become the teen who’s anxious or constantly run down.

As pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Palevsky has shared in his writings, unresolved early stress can create long-term immune and neurological challenges. Similarly, Aviva Romm, MD, in The Natural Pregnancy Book, emphasizes that supporting the body holistically from the very beginning lays the foundation for lifelong wellness.

Where to Go From Here

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Thousands of parents are waking up to the importance of nervous system-based care for their kids. The good news? Your child’s body is incredibly wise. It knows how to heal—it just may need a little help getting unstuck. That’s where chiropractic care becomes a foundation, not just for recovery from birth trauma, but for building resilience, adaptability, and health for years to come.

When I check a newborn or child, I’m looking for how well their nervous system is functioning. Gentle adjustments (no popping or cracking!) help release stored tension and restore communication between the brain and body. Think of it like hitting the “reset” button on a system that’s been overloaded since day one.

This isn’t magic (although I do love pretending to be Hermione)—it’s neurology. By clearing interference in the nervous system, we give the body the space it needs to heal and function as it was designed to.

I often remind parents: the mama bear instinct you feel—that sense something is “off” or could be better—is real. And there are answers.

Suggested Reading for Parents Who Want to Learn More

If this sparks your curiosity, here are five powerful books that can help you dive deeper:

 1. Healing Birth, Healing the Earth by Carol Phillips, DC

 2. Disconnected Kids by Dr. Robert Melillo (https://amzn.to/4mDv71w)

 3. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay (https://amzn.to/4mY4Rzr)

 4. Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Romm (https://amzn.to/3KosTWy)

For continued reading, the ICPA maintains a parent-friendly research archive, and PX Docs offers a wide library of educational articles for families.

Final Note: If you’ve ever wondered, “Could birth trauma be affecting my child?”—the answer is: it’s possible, and it’s worth exploring. You don’t have to just “wait and see.” There is support, there is help, and most importantly, there is hope.