Did you know that in the first year of life, your baby’s brain will double in size and create more than a million new neural connections every single second? This makes those early months one of the most important times for neurological growth your child will ever experience.
At routine checkups, most pediatric visits focus on whether your baby is reaching broad milestones on time. While this is important, it often overlooks an equally vital question: is your baby’s nervous system functioning at its best?
If you’ve ever wondered why your little one struggles with feeding, sleep, or development—or if you simply want to give your child the strongest foundation possible—this information is for you.
Why the First Year Matters So Much
According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, the first year of life is when neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to grow and adapt) is at its peak. During this time, the brain lays down the pathways that will influence your child’s movement, behavior, learning, and overall health for years to come.
Unfortunately, many parents are told that challenges like feeding struggles, restless sleep, or missed milestones are “normal variations” and that they should just “wait and see.” But when neuroplasticity is at its highest, early support can make the most difference. Babies may technically “pass” developmental screenings while compensating for stress in the nervous system—patterns that, if left unaddressed, may influence growth for years.
What Early Milestones Reveal About the Nervous System
Milestones aren’t just cute moments—they are windows into your child’s neurological development.
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Feeding: Successful breastfeeding or bottle feeding requires incredible coordination between the brain, cranial nerves, and muscles. Struggles with latch, popping off, or tiring quickly can signal that the nervous system is working harder than it should.
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Head control: By 2-3 months, head control is a big sign of healthy neck and spine development. If your baby strongly favors one side or has trouble with tummy time, it could be an early clue that their nervous system needs support.
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Crawling: Crawling (7-10 months) is more than just a step before walking—it helps connect the two sides of the brain through cross-patterned movement. When babies skip crawling or move unevenly, it’s valuable information about how their brain and body are communicating.
Stressors That Can Affect Early Development
We call this collection of stressors “The Perfect Storm.” These challenges can layer on top of each other, making it harder for a baby’s nervous system to adapt:
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Before birth: Maternal stress, health challenges, or difficult pregnancies can impact a baby’s developing brain.
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During birth: Interventions such as inductions, forceps, vacuum, or C-sections—though sometimes necessary—can place added strain on a baby’s delicate head and spine.
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After birth: Factors like poor sleep, overstimulation, early medications, or ongoing feeding challenges can keep a baby’s nervous system “stuck” in fight-or-flight mode.
This isn’t about guilt or blame. It’s about recognizing that your baby’s nervous system may need extra support after a tough start.
Why Traditional Checkups May Miss the Full Picture
While pediatricians do an excellent job checking physical health and milestone timing, they typically don’t evaluate nervous system function. Subtle signs of stress or imbalance—like spinal tension, asymmetrical movement, or skipped stages—aren’t always obvious without looking deeper.
That’s where a neurologically-focused approach makes a difference.
How We Support Your Baby at Foundation of Stone
At Foundation of Stone Pediatric & Perinatal Family Chiropractic, we focus on supporting your child’s nervous system during this critical stage of growth. Using gentle and non-invasive INSiGHT Scans, we can see how your baby’s body is handling stress and whether their nervous system is working in balance.
These scans measure heart rate variability, muscle tension, and temperature patterns, giving us a clear picture of where your child may need support. With that information, we provide care that helps restore balance, improve adaptability, and set the stage for healthy growth.
Trust Your Instincts
As a parent, you know your baby best. If you’ve ever had that gut feeling that something isn’t quite right—or if you simply want to give your child every advantage in those crucial first months—trust those instincts.
The first year is too important to just “wait and see.” By supporting the nervous system early, you’re giving your child the strongest possible foundation for health and development.
If you’d like to learn more or schedule a consultation, reach out to us at Foundation of Stone Pediatric & Perinatal Family Chiropractic. And if you’re not local, you can visit the PX Docs directory to find a provider near you.
✨ Your baby’s brain is growing at an incredible pace—let’s make sure their nervous system is growing with it.