Every parent dreams of giving their baby the healthiest start in life. But in today’s world, with rising rates of allergies, asthma, ADHD, and autism, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. You do everything “right”—eating well, taking the best prenatal vitamins, and following every recommendation—but what if there’s something missing?
That missing piece may be found in the nervous system. Research shows that 17% of children experience nervous system dysregulation, often starting before birth.
At Foundations Chiropractic, we help parents understand how their baby’s nervous system develops from preconception through early childhood—and how it can be impacted by stress, birth interventions, and other factors long before symptoms appear. This is what we call The Perfect Storm—a combination of events that can set the stage for developmental and health challenges.
But here’s the good news: By supporting and balancing the nervous system early, you can help your baby grow, thrive, and adapt to the world with ease.
Understanding the “Perfect Storm”
Modern pregnancy and childbirth have become more medicalized than ever, with interventions at an all-time high:
1 in 3 births in the U.S. is via C-section (far above the WHO recommendation of 10-15%)
70-75% of women receive an epidural
25% of labors are induced
The U.S. spends over $50 billion on childbirth every year
While interventions can be life-saving in emergencies, overuse can have unintended consequences on a baby’s developing nervous system. The Perfect Storm refers to a combination of:
✅ Prenatal stress – Maternal stress during pregnancy can alter a baby’s brain and nervous system development, increasing their risk of sensory and behavioral challenges later in life.
✅ Birth trauma & interventions – C-sections, forceps, vacuum extractions, and even prolonged labor can place physical stress on a baby’s delicate nervous system.
✅ Early stressors – Exposure to antibiotics, environmental toxins, and emotional stress in early childhood can further impact a child’s ability to regulate and adapt.
When a baby’s nervous system is overwhelmed from the start, it can lead to challenges like colic, reflux, trouble sleeping, sensory sensitivities, immune challenges, and difficulty hitting developmental milestones.
Why the Nervous System is the Foundation of Health
The nervous system is the body’s command center, controlling everything from digestion and sleep to movement and emotional regulation. It consists of two key branches:
🔴 Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – The “fight or flight” system, activated during stress or perceived danger. When overactive, it can cause tension, difficulty sleeping, digestive struggles, and hypersensitivity.
🔵 Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – The “rest, regulate, and digest” system, which promotes calm, healing, and growth.
The key to growing a healthy baby is balance—allowing the PNS to develop and function optimally from the start.
One of the most important players in this balance is the vagus nerve, which controls digestion, heart rate, breathing, and emotional regulation. But stress and birth trauma can disrupt this system, leading to a baby who struggles to relax, sleep, or digest well.
The Connection Between Maternal Stress & Baby’s Nervous System
Your baby’s nervous system starts developing at just 3 weeks gestation, and is directly influenced by your own nervous system throughout pregnancy. Research shows that maternal stress—whether from work, finances, or emotional strain—can alter a baby’s nervous system wiring and increase their risk of:
⚠️ Sensory processing issues
⚠️ Emotional dysregulation
⚠️ Trouble adapting to stress
⚠️ Sleep and digestive challenges
Why? Because the nervous systems of mom and baby are deeply connected—what we call co-regulation. When mom’s body is in a state of stress, her baby feels it too. This is why prioritizing your own nervous system health during pregnancy is one of the most powerful ways to support your baby’s development.
How to Support Your Baby’s Nervous System for a Healthy Start
💡 1. Take care of YOUR nervous system first
Since baby’s nervous system mirrors yours, reducing stress and balancing your nervous system before and during pregnancy is crucial. This is where neurologically-focused chiropractic care can help—ensuring your nervous system is functioning at its best so you can co-regulate with your baby.
💡 2. Encourage optimal nervous system development in utero
Your baby’s nervous system forms first, even before the heart! Supporting this development with proper nutrition, movement, and nervous system care during pregnancy can have lifelong benefits.
💡 3. Set your baby up for success after birth
The nervous system is designed to be self-healing and adaptive, but birth trauma, stress, and environmental factors can interfere. Newborn chiropractic care helps:
✔️ Relieve tension from birth
✔️ Support digestion (bye-bye, colic and reflux!)
✔️ Improve sleep and relaxation
✔️ Balance sensory processing
💡 4. Get your baby’s nervous system checked early
Just like we check hearing and reflexes at birth, a neurological assessment is just as important. At Foundations, we use INSiGHT Scans to measure how well your baby’s nervous system is adapting and if they need gentle, neurologically-focused adjustments to support their development.
A Proactive Approach to a Healthier, Happier Baby
Parenting comes with a lot of unknowns, but the one thing you CAN control is giving your baby the best foundation possible. By supporting their nervous system early, you’re setting them up for better sleep, better digestion, stronger immunity, and calmer, more balanced development.
At Foundations Chiropractic, we specialize in neurologically-focused prenatal, pediatric, and family care—helping parents navigate the journey of raising healthy, thriving kids.
🌟 Ready to take the next step in giving your baby the best start? Let’s chat! Schedule a consultation or visit our website to learn more.
💙 Your child’s health starts here—let’s build the foundation together.
