Doctors have sounded the alarm over soaring prescriptions for acid-suppressing drugs for young babies. They warn there is clear evidence the pills do no good in most cases and may instead be causing chest infections and even food allergies.

The drugs, called proton-pump inhibitors, have become widely used to treat crying in babies just a few weeks old, in the belief their distress is caused by acidic stomach contents rising up the oesophagus, causing pain.

“We know that in the US, PPI prescriptions increased seven-fold in infants under one year between 1999 and 2004, and 50 per cent of these were in babies under four months, while use of a child-friendly liquid formulation increased 16-fold,” Dr Douglas told The Australian.

Chiropractic care for babies and kids is a safe, gentle and effective alternative to the use of medications or antibiotics. Tension and disturbance of spinal joints can have wide-ranging effects on a babies body, from being slightly irritable or having restricted movement, to colic and digestive issues. When any part of a persons spine is not working well it can affect the function of the nerves passing through that region and may result in reduced or altered function in any organ or system in the body. This is especially true of the upper part of a babies neck, which comes under considerable stress during the compression, twisting and pulling of delivery.

Doctors of chiropractic modify their techniques and methods to suit children of all ages. Studies show that chiropractic can be beneficial in assisting babies and children with many health complaints including colic, digestive problems, ear, nose and throat infections and sleeping difficulties.

Having your baby checked by a chiropractor as soon after birth as possible gives them a great start to a happy and healthy life.

Our Manly chiropractors start off a paediatric consultation with a thorough examination and history to identify whether or not the child is a candidate for chiropractic care. Working closely with your birth care providers we aim to put together a plan to help your child overcome any stumbling blocks along the way, and encourage periodical checks to help ensure healthy spinal development.

In addition to having your baby checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic, there are lots of other things you can do to minimize stress on their spine:

-Always support your babies head and neck when you pick them up. Watch that their head does not ‘flop about’ as this can damage the joints and tissue of their spine and nervous system.

-Sitting babies upright too early places considerable stress on their necks and lower spine. Backpack style carriers should be used only when your baby has considerably strong head and neck control.

-Breastfeeding is the best way to give your baby all the nutrients it needs and has significant emotional benefits. Breast milk contains essential fats and sugars, and is high in water content, easy to digest and important for your babies immunity.

-Remember that all children develop and grow in unique ways. While it is natural to be curious about how your baby compares to other babies, resist the urge to be competitive.

Source: Crying foul on drugs to calm bawling babies. Adam Cresswell. The Australian. January 18, 2012.