A Nappy Change Method That Relieves Colic

Colic relief through a nappy change?! If you're wondering whether or not you read the title right... Don't worry. This blew me away, too, when I researched diapering to write this page.

And I want to share this knowledge with as many expectant, new, and even experienced parents as possible because this can make a huge difference!

We all know the double leg lift technique. Hold the baby gently by the ankles, lift the lower part of their body to remove the dirty nappy, and replace it with a clean nappy.

But from birth until your baby can sit or even crawl, there's a technique that will help to reduce discomfort in your baby's tummy. It's called the rolling technique.

Be sure to roll your baby's entire body, not just the hips, so the spine stays in a straight alignment.

Baby's Spine Development

Let's start at the beginning. In the womb, your baby lies curled up in a C position. When they are born, they only have this one curve in their spine.

Then as your baby grows and their muscles get stronger, they learn to lift their heads and hold them up. This is what forms the first secondary curve, the curve in the neck (cervical curve).

Later, the baby learns to support their weight on their hands and knees and eventually learns to crawl. This action forms the secondary curve in the lower back (lumbar curve).

Once these muscles are strong enough, the baby can support their body weight while standing upright and thus learns to walk. In other words, it takes time for a baby's spine to go from a C-shape to an S-shape.

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The Connection Between The Spine and Intestines

Our intestines get most of their nerve information from the part of the spine near the bottom of the rib cage and the upper part of the lower back.

Think about it; you bend the spine at that exact position when you lift both of your baby's feet to change a nappy. And every single time you do this, it can push those vertebrae out of place.

This is why studies show impressive results for treating babies with colic with chiropractic care. Those vertebrae are put back into place, and the intestines' nerve messages are not interfered with, resulting in less discomfort and pain.

So your baby might be doing great after a chiropractic adjustment. Still, it takes a few repeat sessions to keep it there because every time you change a diaper, you push the vertebrae out of place without even knowing it.

Don't worry. There is hope and a better way to do things!

How To Use The Rolling Colic Baby
Nappy Change Method

Instead of lifting both legs, use the rolling technique until your baby starts to crawl. Dr. John Edwards demonstrates and explains it beautifully in this video.

The traditional method most parents use for changing a baby's diaper is discussed, where the baby's legs are lifted upwards, exposing their spine curve. The video warns about the potential harm this method could cause, as pulling the baby's hips forward might displace the vertebra, leading to nerve interference and disrupting the information flow from the brain to the intestines. As a solution, they recommend a different approach, suggesting to roll the baby gently to each side to change the diaper. This prevents any unnecessary stress on the baby's spine. The traditional lift-and-change method can be resumed once the baby starts crawling, as their spine develops a new curve by then.

What is the difference between using the double leg lift to change a diaper and when a baby lifts their own legs to suck on their toes?

When a baby lifts their own legs, they do so at the hip joint. When we lift their legs, we bend them at their spine to remove the nappy and be able to wipe the entire bottom.

Learn more about breastfeeding a baby with colic here.

For more information on chiropractic and colic, check out these external articles:

Chiropractic research - Infantile colic treated

The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic.