Why Do Babies Get Tense?
Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman on Sydney’s North Shore are experts in paediatric and pregnancy chiropractic with additional certifications and postgraduate training in newborns, babies, kids; pregnancy and postpartum chiropractic care. Mums, Mums-to-be, and families come to this clinic from all over Sydney including the Northern Beaches, North Shore and Inner West.
Understanding where tension comes from — and what it looks like in your baby
We often think of babies as soft, flexible, and totally relaxed. But many newborns carry real tension in their bodies — sometimes from birth, sometimes from how they’re developing day to day. This tension can affect feeding, digestion, sleep, and even bonding — but it’s often subtle and misunderstood.
At Nomad Chiropractic, our goal is not just to “fix” tension but to understand where it’s coming from and gently help your baby let it go.
🧬 What causes tension in babies?
There are three main sources of stress or tension in an infant’s body:
1. Pregnancy Positioning
The womb is a beautiful container — but depending on space, baby size, or uterine tone, babies can develop tension from being compressed or stuck in one position. Examples include:
• Breech or transverse positioning
• Anterior placenta restricting head movement
• First twin “moulding” the second
• Baby stuck in one side of the pelvis (often left occiput transverse)
These patterns can cause cranial asymmetry, neck tightness, or body tension even before birth.
2. The Birth Process
Birth is the most physically demanding event a baby will experience — especially when:
• Labour is very long or very fast
• Forceps, vacuum, or C-section are used
• Baby’s head is engaged for a long time before delivery
• The shoulders or neck experience torsion or compression
• There’s cord pressure or meconium stress
These events can strain the cranial membranes, upper neck, or sacrum — and many babies express this as feeding issues, irritability, or a strong head preference.
Research shows that assisted births are more likely to result in mechanical tension patterns, feeding difficulties, and musculoskeletal asymmetries (Black et al., 2015; Røe et al., 2016).
3. Adapting to Life Outside the Womb
Even after birth, babies are constantly adjusting to gravity, feeding, digestion, and movement. Things that can build tension include:
• Long car seat use or being held in one position
• Reflux or digestive discomfort
• Repetitive head-turning preference (often linked to torticollis)
• Unintegrated reflexes causing startle, arching, or tight fists
Just like adults, babies store tension when they’re trying to adapt or compensate. The difference is — they can’t tell us in words.
👀 How do I know if my baby is holding tension?
Signs of infant tension include:
• A head that always turns to one side
• Arching or stiffening when lying down
• Fussy during tummy time or difficulty lifting the head
• Clicking, chomping, or shallow latch
• A flat spot on one side of the head
• Fists that stay clenched, or arms that don’t relax
• Grunting, straining, or poor digestive rhythm
• “Over-alert” expression or very jumpy/startled behaviour
These are not problems to panic over — but they’re signs that the body might need support to relax, unwind, and rebalance.
💡 What happens if tension isn’t addressed?
Unresolved tension can affect:
• Feeding mechanics (leading to one-sided preference, swallowing air, fatigue)
• Cranial development (plagiocephaly, torticollis)
• Neurological regulation (irritability, colic-like crying, difficulty sleeping)
• Motor milestones (rolling, tummy time, crawling)
Over time, babies may compensate — but that compensation can carry over into toddlerhood and beyond. Early support = fewer patterns to undo later.
One study found that babies with early musculoskeletal asymmetry were more likely to show delayed gross motor milestones and altered muscle tone at 6 months (Tudor et al., 2019).
🌀 How chiropractic care can help baby tension
At Nomad, we work with your baby’s nervous system, fascia, cranial bones, and tone to release patterns of tension. This might include:
• Gentle cranial holds to ease dural tightness
• Supporting primitive reflex integration
• Freeing up soft tissue restrictions around the neck, jaw, or sacrum
• Giving you tools for feeding, carrying, tummy time, and co-regulation
Often, what we see is that when a baby’s body relaxes, their whole experience shifts — feeding becomes easier, sleep deepens, and calm comes more naturally.
🌿 The Nomad Difference
We don’t rush to adjust. We observe, listen, and respond to your baby’s signals. We explain what we see and invite you to be part of the process — because you’re the expert on your child.
Our care is always:
• Baby-led and gentle
• Rooted in nervous system understanding
• Co-created with you as the parent
We also collaborate openly with lactation consultants, dentists, speech pathologists, GPs, and other providers to make sure your baby’s care is connected and holistic.
References:
• Black, F. et al. (2015). Mechanical stress and musculoskeletal patterns in newborns. J Clin Chiropr Pediatr.
• Røe, Y. et al. (2016). Prevalence of musculoskeletal dysfunction in neonates post-delivery. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care.
• Tudor, K. et al. (2019). Neonatal asymmetry and later motor development. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.
FAQ
1. Is chiropractic care safe for babies?
Yes. When performed by chiropractors with additional paediatric training, care is gentle, specific, and adapted to a baby’s size and stage of development. Techniques often involve light fingertip pressure rather than manual adjustments used for adults.
2. Why would a baby see a chiropractor?
Families often bring their babies to a chiropractor to support healthy development, improve comfort, and address issues such as feeding challenges, unsettled sleep, head preference/flat spots, or tension patterns that may affect milestones.
3. What happens during a baby chiropractic visit?
Your chiropractor will first take a full health history, then gently assess posture, reflexes, and movement patterns. Care is tailored to your child’s age, with parents usually encouraged to stay close and involved throughout.
4. How is baby chiropractic different from adult chiropractic?
Chiropractic care for babies does not involve “cracking” or forceful adjustments. Instead, practitioners use very light sustained pressure, cranial techniques, or gentle mobilisations appropriate for an infant’s delicate spine and nervous system.
5. When should I consider bringing my baby to a chiropractor?
Some parents book an appointment soon after birth, especially following long labours, caesarean births, or instrument-assisted deliveries. Others seek care if they notice feeding difficulties, excessive fussiness, or delayed motor milestones. Every baby is unique, so it’s best to discuss concerns with a qualified paediatric chiropractor.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s health.