Constipated Baby? Discover The Holistic Power of Chiropractic Care

Dirty diapers are never fun to deal with—but for Lauren, she’d take blowouts and late-night changes any day over the heartbreaking discomfort her newborn daughter, Emma, was experiencing. At just 14 days old, Emma had only pooped twice. Each attempt was filled with straining, crying, and pain that tore at Lauren’s mama heart.

The pediatrician's advice—"she'll grow out of it"—echoed in her mind like a dull ache. But watching her baby scream in discomfort and struggle to pass tiny pebbles was not something Lauren could accept as “normal.” Diaper changes became dreaded rituals. Often, Lauren had to help manually—something no new parent ever imagines doing. The worst part? Feeling completely helpless.

She knew in her gut there had to be another way.

Constipation in Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know

As a parent, few things are more heart-wrenching than watching your child struggle and feeling powerless to help. When your little one is crying from the sharp discomfort of constipation, clenching their tiny fists and arching their back in pain, the desire to bring them relief is overwhelming. You want to do the right thing—whatever it takes to help them feel better.

For many parents, remedies like prune juice, suppositories, or over-the-counter laxatives seem like the only options because they’re what the pediatrician recommends. But like Lauren, you might be wondering: Why does this keep happening? And is there something deeper going on beneath the surface?

What if there’s another way? One that doesn’t just manage the symptoms—but supports your child’s body in functioning the way it was designed to?

Imagine sitting across from someone who truly listens—who doesn’t dismiss your concerns, but instead, helps uncover why your child’s digestion might not be working properly in the first place. At Sláinte Chiropractic, that’s exactly what we do.

What Causes Constipation in Babies and Kids?

Constipation is incredibly common—but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. Whether your child is struggling to go once a week, passing hard pebble-like stools, or in pain every time they try to poop, it’s a sign that something in their system isn’t functioning well.

Let’s look at some of the common causes:

The Nervous System’s Role in Digestion

The digestive system is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This network of nerves coordinates the movement of the intestines, tells muscles when to contract, and signals when it’s time to go.

But when there’s interference—often from spinal misalignments (or subluxations)—those messages can get disrupted. That can slow down the entire digestive process, leading to stool build-up, infrequent bowel movements, and painful poops.

Birth Trauma

For babies, even the birth process can cause spinal stress. Birth is quite traumatic–even the most natural of deliveries–but long labors, cesarean sections, vacuum or forceps deliveries, and even in-utero positioning can create subtle misalignments in the spine, resulting in a stressed nervous system. These can irritate the nerves responsible for digestion and elimination.

The Gut-Brain Connection

Your child’s brain and gut are in constant communication. When that connection is strong, digestion tends to work smoothly. When the signal is scrambled due to subluxations, things slow down—sometimes significantly. That’s why chiropractic doesn’t treat constipation directly; it helps restore that vital communication so the body can do what it’s meant to.

Stress Mode: What Happens When the Body Thinks It’s Being Chased by a Bear

Imagine your child’s nervous system is stuck in “fight or flight” mode—like they’re being chased by a bear. In this mode, the brain prioritizes survival. That means things like digestion, immune function, and restful sleep are put on the back burner. After all, if you're running from a bear, your body doesn’t care about pooping—it's focused on escape.

The problem? Many babies and children today are living in a chronic state of low-level stress, even if there’s no actual bear. Things like birth trauma, developmental delays, or even overstimulation can flip that survival switch and keep it stuck in the “on” position.

Chiropractic care helps shift the body out of that stress response and back into “rest and digest”—the mode where healing, growth, and proper digestion can actually happen.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

At Sláinte Chiropractic, we specialize in pediatric care using gentle, safe, and effective techniques tailored to your child’s unique needs. Here's what to expect:

A Detailed Health History
We take the time to understand your child’s story—when the constipation began, any known stressors or traumas, and how their overall health has been impacted.

Neurological Scans
Our state-of-the-art technology allows us to see exactly where stress and interference exist in your child’s nervous system.

Custom Care Plans
Every child is different. Based on what we find, we create a personalized plan to gently correct spinal misalignments and restore optimal nervous system function.

What the Healing Journey Looks Like

Some babies have a blowout before leaving our office after their first adjustment, while others need more time—especially if constipation has been an ongoing issue. Chiropractic isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about supporting your child’s body in healing from the inside out.

And for many parents, like Lauren, the results are life-changing.

Real Slainte Success Story: How baby Etta healed from chronic constipation

Born 8 weeks early, Etta faced a mountain of challenges in her first few months—including persistent constipation that made her already-fragile little body even more uncomfortable.

Her family turned to Sláinte Chiropractic with hope and a lot of questions. Through gentle and consistent care, Etta’s nervous system began to regulate. Her bowel movements became consistent, her sleep improved, and her smiles returned.

Now, Etta is a thriving one-year-old with energy to spare—and her story is a beautiful reminder that healing is possible.

Watch Etta’s journey below:

Ready to Help Your Child Feel Better?

If your child is struggling with constipation, you’re not alone—and there is hope. At Sláinte Chiropractic, we’re here to support your family with answers, care, and a plan that gets to the root cause.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward lasting wellness for your child!