Best Diaper Changing Technique for Newborns to Reduce Colic

Almost every parent changes their newborn with the double leg-lift technique, which looks convenient but might not be right for your baby. The roll technique, especially with newborns until they start crawling, may be a better option. Dr. John Edwards from Mama's Chiropractic Clinic demonstrates the technique and explains why. Filmed at the Great Cloth Diaper Change in Estero, FL. Mama's Chiropractic is a family practice with a special focus on the needs of expecting moms and children. Dr. Edwards is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association.

[jdorettepeck]

I wish I had been taught this prior to becoming a mother. This diaper changing technique makes a lot of sense.

[DocEdwards]

Glad it could help you- it's amazed me how many parents have been helped by this very, very simple change to how we diaper babies. Good for you on bringing her to the chiropractor, the adjustments should hold better now!

[DocEdwards]

Chiropractors who take the time to do the post-graduate training to work with infants and children are worth their weight in gold. We all get some exposure in school, but the reality is we don't get much practical experience unless we have kids of our own or are the oldest in a large family. Simply not enough people bring their infants in to the schools' clinics. I've learned so much through the ICPA that it's radically changed how I practice.

[CajunStork]

Nice!! We will be recommending this in our birth center practice!!

[patchworklizzie]

3 babies of my own and 8 grandchildren later I learn this invaluable tip!

[robertmonokian]

I am a chiropractor for over 40 years. I have been invited on 2 occasions to the US Olympic Center to work on our athletes. I am past president of our national sports council. I sit on an examining board and am a consultant to a Medically formed PPO. I don't know Dr. Edwards. I just happen to come across his discussion. I have run up against the medical profession when changing our law and in practice. The good medical doctors, the pones without ego's and have the patient's well being as their primary concern, work with us. The ignorant, arrogant ones are opinionated and will not offer options in care because of it. I just want to say this. There is no science behind what Dr. Edwards is saying. Only logic and his personal and perhaps the clinical experience of those that he has studied. It is interesting about the nerve interference concept of the age old technique. I'd say it is possible. It is also possible it can be contributing to a hiatal hernia with the pressure of the abdominal contents being pushed up against the diaphragm. I am a sports injury expert. What I learned when I took the American College of Sports Medicine Team Physician course (1 week courses for three years) about injuries in sport is that many injuries occur from Micro Trauma Micro Trama …….. Boom! Injury - little stretches, then rips and then tears. So perhaps this is a micro trauma event as well. Who Knows? All Dr. Edwards is dong is giving mothers an option. Those that Poo Poo :) his idea are fixated on the idea that the only ideas come from the medical profession. So try it. If it works or does not work, share it with the doctor and mothers. Good luck Dr. Edwards. It takes guts to go out on this platform and get abused by those that know everything. Robert Monokian, DC, DACBSP, FICC

[oah]

I love the BG diaper :) I can't believe I would have never thought about this as I contorted my colicky daughter's body the second she left the chiro. It seems like an no brainer! Thank you for sharing this. Can't wait to try it.

[RFKhanUK]

Great video, I wish I'd known this when my babies were young enough!

I've posted this link on a parenting forum and have been asked if there are any other sources for the advice to avoid picking up by the ankles. It makes perfect sense to me but it's always nice to see other sources saying the same thing so I'm hoping you have something. Thanks.

[GreatforGodMinistries]

I do this!! I thought the legs-up method was more likely to cause a baby to have reflux as well. Thanks for sharing doc!

[DocEdwards]

Sorry to read that about your daughter- if you haven't found a chiropractor in your area, check the link above. Good question, by the way: All of the things you're describing happen at the hip, where the thigh meets the pelvis, and doesn't cause a problem. When we lift both legs during a diaper change, the bending is occurring at the spine.

[kjoberk]

None of my babies have had colic (thank goodness) but I am a doula and this is such useful information! Thank you so much!

[yamaha]

wowi knew it make sense.. never watched this video and i've been doing this technique for a while now.. my baby is almost five months now.. started doing this when she was 3 months..

[DocEdwards]

Great question- this is a technique we're trying to introduce to parents because of our clinical experience of having it help. I'd love to partner with our local infant-care not-for-profit to do a proper study, and we're now in talks about getting that done.

[DocEdwards]

I'm just starting to read about EC, I don't have enough information on it yet. My typical recommendation is to not put infants in positions they can't get in or out of by themselves. If she has good head control during tummy time, I would probably be more likely to recommend holding her in a squat than seated on the potty. I've found gas at 7 wks can come from a variety of issues (from jaw misalignment to what mom is eating) but it's a sign something's not right. Find an ICPA doc near you.

[DocEdwards]

That's great news about #4, what an exciting time. Sorry to hear about your LO, colic is the one of the top 5 reasons parents bring their kids in to see us. Hopefully this bit of information helps. It just makes so much sense once you hear it! Cloth diapers rock, these were lent to me at the Great Cloth Diaper Exchange, courtesy of EcoBaby.

[MorningGlory]

I will try this, my daughter is very colicky and I need something to change before I go insane. My question is, what about babies during pregnancy, they are folded in half in the womb. Also by four months they are able to lift their legs and bend themselves in half. Does this also hurt them when they do it on their own?

[LaMissa]

This would probably help to stop my baby's spit up, wouldn't it? It would probably also help keep her spine in place so we don't have to visit our chiro so often too, which would be nice. Thanks for the video! I'll have to try this! :)

[VinDcator]

Brilliant. Back in the late 70s, chiropractic was just starting to gain acceptance with babies' parents. Another way to prevent colic is to stop feeding babies warm, or worse, hot formula. After proper sterilization, we always fed our son cold bottles--no colic.

[GreenMommyDiapers]

Simple, easy, effective and what a cute diaper! I <3 the Lovelace print!

[liajoy]

Are you familiar with EC (elimination communication) and would you have a recommendation for positioning baby over a potty? I'm wondering if holding baby in a seated/squat position while pottying would cause a similar issue. we practice EC. My 7wk old baby is far from colicy, but I am looking to reduce some issues with gas she is having. I'll be using your suggestion when we diaper :)