Sleep Issues in Babies
& Young Children in Kentwood
We all know how critical sleep is and for kids it’s particularly crucial. That’s because sleep is when your child’s body grows, their brain develops, their hormones regulate, and their immune system strengthens. When a baby or young child struggles to fall asleep, wakes constantly through the night, or can’t settle down, it affects the whole family. But more importantly, it may signal that something is interfering with their body’s natural ability to rest and restore.
At Wilcox Family Chiropractic, we view sleep struggles differently than the conventional approach. Rather than immediately turning to sleep medications or sedatives for young children, we look for the underlying physical causes that might be preventing your little one from achieving the deep, restorative sleep they desperately need.
Common Sleep-Related Signs
If sleep has become a nightly struggle, you’re not alone. Some babies wake every hour or two and have trouble staying asleep. Some toddlers can’t fall asleep without being rocked, fed, or held in a particular position. You might also see your child tossing and turning, arching their back, or seeming physically uncomfortable even when they’re lying still.
Daytime behavior often tells a story too. Irritability, excessive fatigue, frequent tantrums, and an inability to self-settle or self-soothe are all red flags that something is disrupting your child’s nervous system. If your little one needs constant soothing just to make it through naptime or bedtime, there may be a physical component that hasn’t been addressed.
How Chiropractic Care May Improve Sleep
It’s important to understand that tension or misalignment in the neck and spine can interfere with nervous system signaling. This disruption may prevent your child’s body from naturally “switching off” into that calm, restful state needed for quality sleep. The birth process itself (even uncomplicated births) can create subtle spinal stress that affects how the nervous system functions.
Through gentle, precise pediatric chiropractic adjustments, we work to remove that interference and restore proper nervous system communication. We also emphasize strategies to support a calm nervous system overall, including age-appropriate sleep hygiene, consistent routines, and creating an environment that promotes natural rest.
Parents may see many positive changes: longer sleep stretches, fewer night wakings, easier bedtimes, and calmer, happier children during the day. When the body can function as it was designed to, sleep often improves naturally.
Book an Appointment
Ready for better nights and happier mornings? Contact our Kentwood practice today to book your child’s appointment and discover a natural approach to sleep support.
