Recently we shared an article about nervous system dysregulation and the nervous system test that all children should have, especially newborns. If you haven’t already, you can read it here.
Why the nervous system and vagus nerve matter.
Assessing heart rate variability (HRV) and essentially vagus nerve function in infants and children can be a key piece to the puzzle of healthy growth and development. The autonomic nervous system, largely coordinated via the vagus nerve, is critical for the journey of neurodevelopment in growing infants, toddlers and early childhood.
An uncompromised, robust autonomic nervous system is the necessary foundation to the timely development of motor tone and coordination, gut and immune function, behavioural and emotional regulation and nervous system regulation in general. Essentially, we’re talking about the key milestones our children should go through, and all of the amazing physiological changes in between.
Factors that can disrupt a child’s nervous system.
So, what can cause compromise and disruption to the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve?
This is such an important question, because today in 2025 we are observing skyrocketing rates of neurodevelopmental challenges and diagnoses. As an example, we’ve seen a 300% increase in autism since the early 2000s!
Most leading experts agree that chronic stress plays a critical role in contributing to 80-90% of all disease and diagnoses. So, it won’t come as much of a surprise that stress significantly affects the healthy growth and development of a new nervous system as early as the stage of conception. Many parents-to-be are struggling to even conceive.
The next stage at which a growing and developing nervous system commonly becomes compromised is during the months of pregnancy. Expecting mothers are subject to arguably the greatest amount of stressful stimulus in the history of humankind. From mental and emotional stressors such as living situations, employment pressure, financial security and relationships through to physical and chemical stressors such as posture, repetitive strain, nutritional toxicity and so forth.
We’re often told about the connection between mother and baby via the vasculature of the umbilical cord, but less often considered is the electrical neurological connection whereby the mother’s nervous system is literally hardwired into their unborn baby. A growing baby in-utero is not entirely protected from stress that expectant mothers experience daily. This is likely the second highest contributor to “stuck” neurological imbalances in newborn babies and children.
In our experience, by far the most prevalent challenge that little nervous systems experience is modern day birth intervention. While C-sections (planned or emergency), vacuum extraction and the use of forceps or significant manual assistance may be necessary and sometimes lifesaving, these techniques can have deep and profound impacts on the delicate, sensitive neurology of the newborn. In particular, the critically important brainstem region (the junction between the neck and the head and also where the vagus nerve exits the brain to descend into the body) can easily be injured at birth. However, if the infant is breathing (or crying), moving reasonably well and exhibiting good skin colour, this insidious injury to the brainstem and/or vagus nerve can be easily missed.
Recognising and supporting nervous system health
Without any form of testing to check neurological integrity, often the first signs that a baby’s nervous system is struggling can be persistent unsettledness or colic, ongoing struggles with latching, feeding, or turning their head, or digestive challenges. Due to how common these complaints are, many parents are told by family, friends or even their trusted healthcare provider that this is “normal” and “they’ll eventually grow out of it”. All the while, mother and baby become increasingly more exhausted and stressed out, and instead of growing out of it, the infant develops into their next challenge, which might be delayed or skipped motor milestones or chronic, recurrent ear infections.
This can be a vicious circle for affected families. The good news is that there is a test available to accurately measure and assess the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve in newborns. And it’s quick, easy and non-invasive. In fact, many newborns sleep through this test when we use it at Being Chiropractic Studio.
If any of this article struck a chord for you, or you simply want to have your newborn assessed, reach out to us today. If you want to know more about this test, read our previous article here or check out the other resources available on our website.
Our purpose is to help families to heal the underlying neurological imbalances that cause many of the most common childhood health challenges in the modern world. The nervous system comes first in gestation, growth and development, yet is often overlooked in favour of nutrition, medication or simply “wait and see”. While there’s certainly a critical and necessary place for those options, we are passionate about ensuring that children and their families are aware of and have access to neurologically-focused assessments and care that can support them through even the toughest of health challenges.
