Is Your Baby Trying to Tell You Something?

12 Subtle Signs Your Baby May Be Experiencing Nervous System Stress

When you become a parent, you tune into every little sound, movement, and facial expression your baby makes. You know them better than anyone. But sometimes, despite your best instincts, there’s a sense that something’s just… off.

Maybe they’re fussy all the time. Or they only nurse on one side. Maybe their tummy is always gassy, or they seem to hit milestones a little later than expected. And when you bring it up, you're told, “It’s normal. They’ll grow out of it.”

But what if these subtle signs are your child’s way of communicating that something deeper is going on—something rooted in their nervous system?

As pediatric chiropractors specializing in nervous system-based care, we see these patterns every day. These early signs often point to something called subluxation—a misalignment in the spine and stress stored in the body that disrupts how the brain and body communicate.

And in babies, it often starts at birth.

What Is Subluxation (And Why Does It Matter)?

Your baby’s spine is more than just tiny bones—it houses and protects their nervous system, which is responsible for everything: sleeping, digesting, immune function, motor skills, cognitive development, and emotional regulation.

When the spine is misaligned—perhaps due to birth trauma, a fast or prolonged labor, or interventions like forceps or C-sections—it can create dissonance in the nervous system. This incoherence may show up in ways that don’t look like “back pain,” but instead affect how your baby feeds, sleeps, moves, and develops.

The good news? Subluxations are correctable—especially when addressed early.

12 Early Signs Your Baby May Be Experiencing Subluxation

Here’s what to look for. If your little one shows one or more of these signs, get a  neurospinal assessment to support their growth and development.

1. Low APGAR Score

Struggled to breathe or cry after birth? A low APGAR may signal birth stress, which can also affect alignment and nervous system tone.

2. NICU Stay

Time in the NICU often follows a complicated birth. Medical interventions, separation from caregivers, and physical stressors can all impact neurological health.

3. Breastfeeding Challenges

Trouble latching, favoring one breast, arching during feeds, or a weak suck may stem from stress locked in the upper neck or jaw—common places for subluxations in newborns.

4. Slow Weight Gain

If feeding is inefficient or digestion is compromised, your baby may not be absorbing nutrients well. This is also a sign that your child is locked in “fight or flight” rather than in “rest, restore and grow” state - pointing to vagus nerve or spinal involvement.

5. Digestive Issues

Gas, reflux, constipation, or discomfort during feeds can reflect a nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Specifically tailored chiropractic care can help regulate this response.

6. Sleep Issues

Waking often? Only sleeping in a car seat or being held? Subluxation can keep your baby’s nervous system “on alert,” making deep rest hard to access.

7. Frequent Illness

Ear infections, congestion, or long recovery times can suggest an immune system that's underperforming—often due to poor brain-body communication.

8. Movement Imbalances

Always turning their head one way? Flat spots on the head? Skipping tummy time or crawling funny? These may be signs of physical imbalance caused by subluxation.

9. Behavioral Red Flags

Excessive crying, difficulty self-soothing, difficulty with change or new environments, or what seems like “sensory overload” may all stem from a stressed or dysregulated nervous system.

10. Cognitive Delays

Trouble with eye contact, visual tracking, or a lack of curiosity about the world can be early signs of nervous system interference.

11. Muscle Tone Irregularities

Too floppy or too stiff? Muscle tone issues are nervous system issues—and subluxations may be impacting the brain’s ability to regulate movement properly.

12. Delayed Milestones

Late to roll, sit, crawl, or walk? These aren’t just physical—they’re neurological. Subluxations may be interfering with your baby’s ability to integrate movement patterns.

You Don’t Have to “Wait and See”

We often hear, “Give it time, they’ll grow out of it.” But why wait, when your baby may be telling you something now?

A neurospinal assessment is a safe, gentle, and non-invasive way to check how your baby’s nervous system is adapting to life outside the womb. It doesn’t involve cracking or popping—just a deep understanding of how spinal tension affects your baby’s ability to grow, heal, and thrive.

We’re Here to Support You

At Flower of Life Chiropractic, we specialize in pediatric care designed to support the most important time in your child’s development. Our goal is simple: to restore balance to the nervous system, so your baby can express their full potential.

🌿 Curious if this could help your little one? 📍 Come visit us at our DFW or NYC office, or message us directly to schedule your baby’s first Nervous System check-up.