Ask Dr. Anne-Marie
When should a newborn see a chiropractor?
Short answer
There is no required age. Parents most often seek an assessment in the early weeks when they notice a consistent pattern — a strong head-turning preference, difficulty feeding on one side, persistent arching, or trouble settling in certain positions. Any concern about feeding, weight gain, or illness should go to your pediatrician first.
What an assessment looks like
For a newborn, the visit is mostly observation and conversation. I take a full history including the pregnancy and the birth, then look at how the baby moves: head and neck range, symmetry, muscle tone, reflexes, and comfort in different positions. Light palpation follows.
Any care that follows uses very light, sustained contact — nothing that resembles adult adjusting, and no forceful movement.
My perspective
Parents are usually the first to notice something subtle and often the last to be believed. If a pattern is bothering you, it deserves an examination. Equally, a good practitioner should tell you plainly when the answer is that everything looks appropriate and no care is needed.
When to seek medical care
Fever in a newborn, poor weight gain, feeding refusal, lethargy, breathing difficulty, or persistent forceful vomiting require prompt medical assessment.
Content on this website is educational and informational in nature and is not intended as a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Dr. Anne-Marie is the lead chiropractor at Compass Family Chiropractic in Dunwoody, Georgia, serving families across metro Atlanta.