"So many babies I see are struggling — not because something is wrong with them, but because their head & neck has been irritated from the very beginning. Birth trauma, breastfeeding difficulties, and head shape issues like plagiocephaly are far more common than we realise. Chiropractic care offers gentle, effective support for their developing brain and body. With over 80% of mothers discontinuing breastfeeding before they intend to — often due to unresolved feeding pain or latch issues — it’s time we offer them better support, earlier."

Paediatric Chiropractic at Nandish Health

Children experience rapid growth, constant movement, and a cascade of neurological development in their early years — especially within the first 1000 days of life (from conception to age 2), when the brain forms over 1 million new neural connections every second. Every bump, fall, feeding pattern, sleep disruption, and stressor during this foundational window plays a role in shaping the nervous system and influencing long-term health, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
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At Nandish Health, we provide safe, gentle, and age-specific chiropractic care for babies, toddlers, and children. Whether your little one is unsettled, delayed in their milestones, recovering from birth trauma, navigating sensory challenges, or simply in need of supportive care through growth — our team is here to help restore balance, calm, and connection.

Common Signs & Symptoms We Support

👶 Babies (0–12 Months)

• Birth trauma recovery (forceps, ventouse, prolonged or fast labour)
• Plagiocephaly (flat head) or head favouring one side
• Torticollis (head tilting or restriction turning)
• Breastfeeding or latching difficulties (clicking, fussiness, poor milk transfer)
• Tongue or lip ties contributing to tension or feeding issues
• Excessive arching, stiffness, or floppiness
• Reflux or frequent spitting up
• Colic or excessive crying
• Gassiness and constipation
• Trouble settling or frequent night waking
• Startle reflex or difficulty with tummy time

🧸 Toddlers (1–4 Years)

• Delayed crawling, walking, or speech development
• Awkward or unsteady walking, frequent tripping
• Clumsiness or difficulty climbing stairs
• Sensory sensitivities (light, sound, texture, movement)
• Mouth breathing or open-mouth posture
• Chronic ear infections or fluid in the ears
• Snoring or disrupted sleep
• Emotional dysregulation or frequent tantrums
• Constipation or digestive imbalances
• Poor immunity or frequent illness
• Difficulty winding down or calming after stimulation

🎒 Children (5+ Years)

• Poor posture, forward head carriage, or slouching
• Headaches, eye strain, or migraines
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing in class
• Hyperactivity, ADHD, or learning difficulties
• Anxiety, nervousness, or mood swings
• Sleep disturbances or fatigue
• Digestive discomfort, nausea, or low appetite
• Sports injuries or repetitive strain
• Growing pains or scoliosis concerns
• Sensory overload in loud or busy environments
• Neck, back, or joint pain from device use
• Difficulty keeping up with peers in physical tasks

Why Parents Choose Nandish Health

You’re doing everything you can — feeding, soothing, rocking, pacing the hallway at 2 a.m., Googling every sound and symptom, wondering why your baby can’t settle, latch, sleep, or poop. You’re tired. You’re anxious. And more than anything, you just want your baby to feel better.
At Nandish Health, we understand how overwhelming those early days can be — especially when things don’t feel “normal.” You were told newborns cry, that reflux is common, that latch takes time. But deep down, something feels off. And you’re right to listen to that instinct.
We work with babies every day who are struggling with feeding, digestion, sleep, and regulation. Whether it’s birth tension, cranial compression, nerve irritation, or fascial strain — many of these challenges have a root cause that is gentle to address, and powerful to resolve.
Using safe, subtle, and soothing techniques, we support your baby’s nervous system and body to unwind tension, integrate the birth experience, and begin to rest, digest, and feed with more ease.

You're not failing. Your baby isn't broken. You both just need support. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.

At Nandish Health, we’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of babies and their families find calm, comfort, and connection again. From newborns struggling with breastfeeding and latch, to babies who can’t sleep more than 30 minutes at a time, to little ones locked in cycles of reflux, colic, or constipation — we’ve seen it all. And we know how to help. Our paediatric chiropractic team is specially trained in the care of infants, using gentle, precise techniques that work with the nervous system and body — not against it. We’ve supported babies through birth trauma, tongue ties, torticollis, plagiocephaly, club foot, sensory overload, and so much more. Our clinic has become a trusted space for families across Auckland because we don’t just treat symptoms — we listen, we look deeper, and we create lasting change. The results speak for themselves: more settled babies, more confident parents, and more joyful beginnings.

 "We were at our wits' end. Our baby couldn’t latch properly, would scream during feeds (nipples bleeding & engorged), and never slept longer than 30 minutes. Everyone told us it was 'normal,' but my gut said otherwise. A friend recommended Nandish Health and within the first visit, we felt seen and supported. Dr. Karen gently worked with our baby’s neck and jaw, and within days, feeding became easier. Over the next few weeks, his sleep improved, his reflux eased, and we finally saw our baby rest. It honestly changed our entire family’s wellbeing. We’re forever grateful."
​– Sarah M. 

🍼 Dr. Karen Singh’s Signature Techniques for Babies
Safe, gentle, and profoundly effective care designed for newborns and infants.

At Nandish Health, Dr. Karen Singh brings over a decade of experience in paediatric chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, and osteopathic-informed care to support your baby’s development in the most crucial stages of life. Her approach blends clinical precision with intuitive, nervous system-aware techniques — tailored to each baby’s unique history, birth experience, and needs. These methods are deeply rooted in the principles of neurodevelopment, spinal health, and whole-body regulation, supporting babies with breastfeeding issues, sleep struggles, reflux, colic, cranial tension, and more.

🌿 Dr. Singh’s Core Techniques for Infant Care
Craniosacral Therapy
A light-touch technique that works on the bones of the skull, spine, and sacrum to unwind tension patterns from birth.
Supports: Plagiocephaly, unsettled sleep, latch issues, birth compression, colic.

Upper Cervical & Atlas Correction
Dr. Karen uses subtle fingertip adjustments to address misalignments in the upper neck — often affected during difficult births.
Supports: Poor head control, head turning restrictions, feeding discomfort, unsettled behaviour.

Pelvic Balancing for Babies
A paediatric adaptation of the Webster Technique to ease sacral and pelvic tension in infants.
Supports: Hip and pelvic asymmetry, favouring one leg, crawling delays.

Myofascial Release Therapy
Dr. Karen applies sustained, specific contact to reduce fascial tension — particularly in the jaw, diaphragm, belly, and neck.
Supports: Feeding fatigue, tongue/lip tie tension, reflux, abdominal tightness, fussiness.

Functional Cranial Balancing
Inspired by osteopathy, this technique helps decompress and balance cranial plates gently and effectively.
Supports: Flat head syndrome, torticollis, eye tracking issues, sinus congestion.

Oral & Orofacial Therapy
Hands-on care to support jaw tension, tongue base function, and cranial nerve integrity.
Supports: Breastfeeding, latch issues, post-frenectomy recovery, mouth breathing.

Dural & Diaphragm Unwinding
Addresses tension in the dural tube (the sheath around the spinal cord) and diaphragm, calming the vagus nerve.
Supports: Digestive issues, nervous system dysregulation, overstimulation, shallow breathing.

Visceral Balancing for Infant Digestion
Gentle touch over the abdomen to support motility and reduce internal strain from tension or birth trauma.
Supports: Constipation, trapped wind, bloating, reflux, unsettled crying after feeds.

Balanced Ligamentous Release (BLR)
Adapted from osteopathy, Dr. Karen uses this to ease ligament tension around the spine and hips.
Supports: Spinal restriction, baby “banana” shapes, asymmetrical movements.

​Primitive Reflex & Sensory Integration Support
Neurodevelopmental techniques to assess and help integrate retained reflexes.
Supports: Startle reflex, poor tummy time tolerance, difficulty self-soothing.

Conditions Dr. Karen Commonly Supports in Babies:
Breastfeeding & latch issues
Reflux, colic & digestive discomfort
Sleep struggles & irritability
Plagiocephaly & head shape concerns
Torticollis & restricted head turning
Tongue tie tension (pre/post release)
Arching, stiffness or floppiness
Poor tummy time & motor delays
Fussiness, gas, and crying fits
Cranial nerve dysfunction & jaw tightness

Breastfeeding & Infant Latch Support 

Because feeding your baby shouldn't have to hurt — and you shouldn't have to give up too soon.
Breastfeeding is one of the most instinctive yet complex actions a baby must learn — and when it’s not going smoothly, it can leave both mother and baby overwhelmed, frustrated, and exhausted. An effective latch is far more than just positioning — it’s a synchronised movement involving over 60 muscles, 40 joints, 20 bones, and 6 cranial nerves coordinating the cranium, jaw, tongue, and mouth to allow your baby to nurse, suck, swallow, and breathe with ease.
When any part of this system is under tension — whether due to birth trauma, in-utero constraint, tongue or lip ties, or misalignment — feeding becomes stressful. Unfortunately, this struggle is common. Research shows that over 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended due to unresolved feeding challenges.

 Common Signs of Latch Dysfunction
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• Clicking sounds while feeding
• Difficulty latching or staying latched
• Favouring one breast or one feeding position
• Frequent gagging, choking, or pushing the nipple out
• Irritability or arching at the breast
• Leaking milk while feeding
• Injured, painful, or cracked nipples
• Recurrent blocked ducts or engorgement
• Slow weight gain or frequent feeds
• Shallow latch or poor suction

How Chiropractic Can Help
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At Nandish Health, Dr. Karen Singh provides gentle, paediatric-specific care to identify and resolve the underlying causes of latch dysfunction. Through soft, cranial chiropractic adjustments, we can help to

• Release dural tension and stress in the head and neck
• Improve cranial nerve function and neurological communication
• Restore mobility to the jaw, tongue, palate, and cervical spine
• Support post-tongue or lip tie recovery
• Promote calm and regulation for both mother and baby during feed

​When the baby’s craniocervial and orofacial systems are free from strain, suck-swallow-breathe coordination improves, feeding becomes more efficient, and discomfort fades. In addition, we offer postural and ergonomic support for mothers, so your feeding experience becomes one of connection, not pain.​

Torticollis Head Tilt

Torticollis — often referred to as “wry neck or head tilt” — is a condition where a baby’s head consistently tilts to one side and rotates to the opposite side. It’s typically caused by tightness or imbalance in the neck muscles, particularly the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and is often related to birth trauma, in-utero positioning, or prolonged time in one posture (e.g. in car seats or carriers).
Many parents first notice torticollis when their baby struggles to breastfeed on one side, seems uncomfortable during tummy time, or always sleeps with their head turned one way. Left unaddressed, torticollis can affect feeding, head shape (plagiocephaly), and motor development milestones.

Common Signs of Torticollis

• Baby always tilts or turns head to one side
• Difficulty breastfeeding on one breast
• Flattening of the skull on one side (plagiocephaly)
• Preference to look one direction when lying or held
• Arching or fussiness during tummy time
• Asymmetrical crawling or early movement patterns
• One shoulder consistently higher than the other
• Delayed head control or motor development

​Dr. Karen’s Techniques May Include

• Craniosacral therapy to release cranial tension and improve dural balance
• Gentle cervical adjustments to restore neck mobility
• Myofascial release to reduce muscle tightness in the SCM and trapezius
• Vestibular stimulation to support postural reflexes and head control
• Movement and tummy time strategies for home

How Chiropractic Can Help
At Nandish Health, Dr. Karen Singh takes a whole-body, nervous system-based approach to treating torticollis. Rather than just stretching tight muscles, we investigate the underlying biomechanical and neurological factors causing the imbalance. Our care is gentle, precise, and baby-specific, focused on restoring comfort and freedom of movement.
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Through cranial and cervical adjustments, fascial release, and neurological regulation, we help to:

• Improve spinal and cranial alignment
• Reduce soft tissue strain in the neck and shoulders
• Encourage balanced head turning and eye tracking
• Support symmetrical muscle tone and posture
• Prevent further complications like plagiocephaly or delayed milestones

“Crying is a baby’s only language — and when it’s constant, we must listen with both heart and hands. Digestive issues often begin in the nervous system, and with the right care, we can help their little bodies come back to ease.”
— Dr. Karen Singh​

Positional Plagiocephaly Flat Head Syndrome

Plagiocephaly, or Positional Flat Head Syndrome, is a condition characterised by an asymmetrical head shape, often accompanied by head tilt (torticollis), uneven facial features, or flattening on one side of the skull. Many babies also show signs of discomfort, including difficulty breastfeeding, irritability, reflux, unsettled sleep, and increased preference for one side.
At Nandish Health, we take a gentle, neurological, and cranial approach to plagiocephaly — addressing not just the head shape, but the underlying cause affecting spinal alignment, muscle tone, and brain-body communication.

​Why It Happens:
The delicate bones of a baby’s skull are soft and malleable in early life to allow for brain growth. But when a baby’s head is exposed to prolonged pressure in one direction, flattening can occur — often alongside tight neck muscles (torticollis) or cranial strain from birth.
Common Causes Include:

• Intrauterine constraint (e.g., twins or breech)
• Birth trauma (forceps, ventouse, or fast delivery)
• Breech or transverse position in the womb
• Premature birth and NICU positioning
• Prolonged time in car seats, capsules, or swings
• Sleeping with head always turned to one side
• Weak neck muscles and poor postural control

Common Symptoms of Plagiocephaly

• Flattened area on the back or side of the head
• Head tilting to one side or a visible head-turning preference
• Uneven ears, cheeks, or jaw
• Trouble latching or breastfeeding on one side
• Fussiness when lying flat or during tummy time
• Sleep difficulties, restlessness, colic, or reflux
• Delayed motor milestones or asymmetrical movement
• Visible tension in the neck or shoulder

 Home Care Tips

• Tummy time daily to build neck and shoulder strength
• Repositioning your baby’s head when sleeping or lying
• Alternate arms when feeding or carrying
• Use visual or auditory cues to encourage head turning both ways
• Limit extended time in car seats, swings, or capsules
• Support baby's head and neck when holding or nursing

How Long Will It Take to Improve?

Current research shows that early intervention produces the best outcomes — especially when care is started in the first 3 to 6 months of life, before the cranial plates begin to fuse (typically around 9–12 months). At Nandish Health, many babies see visible improvement within just a few weeks of care, depending on severity and age.

Colic, Reflux & Constipation

Gentle chiropractic care for calmer bellies, better digestion, and more settled babies.
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​Crying that seems endless. Arching after feeds. Squirming, gasping, and grunting. Parents are often told it's “just colic,” “they’ll grow out of it,” or that “reflux is normal.” But when your baby is uncomfortable, can’t settle, or struggles with digestion — something is out of balance, and you deserve answers.
At Nandish Health, we don’t just treat symptoms — we listen to what your baby’s body is telling us. Colic, reflux, and constipation are often signs of underlying nervous system or digestive tension, commonly linked to birth stress, cranial pressure, or spinal misalignments affecting the vagus nerve and gut-brain connection.

The Nervous System–Digestive Link
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Your baby’s digestion is closely tied to the autonomic nervous system — especially the vagus nerve, which controls everything from swallowing and stomach acid production to peristalsis and bowel movements.
When birth stress, spinal tension, or cranial pressure disrupt these pathways, the digestive system can become hypersensitive, inefficient, or sluggish. Chiropractic care restores the neurological balance needed for your baby’s body to digest, poop, and calm naturally.

Common Signs of Digestive Discomfort

• Excessive crying or “colic” (more than 3 hours/day)
• Reflux, spitting up, or silent reflux (back arching, swallowing noises)
• Tummy bloating, gas, or straining
• Frequent hiccups or gulping air
• Hard or infrequent bowel movements (constipation)
• Squirming or arching during or after feeds
• Trouble settling or needing to be held upright constantly
• Fussiness during tummy time or while lying flat

Constipation, Gut-Brain Axis & Behaviour Issues In Kids

At Nandish Health, we understand that chronic constipation and sensory overload are not isolated issues — they are signs of a nervous system in survival mode.
Grounded in Polyvagal Theory (Dr. Stephen Porges), Gabor Maté’s trauma-informed work, and Bruce Lipton’s insights on epigenetics and cellular memory, we see these symptoms as the body’s intelligent response to stress, trauma, or overwhelm.
When the nervous system is stuck in fight, flight, or freeze, digestion slows, and sensory processing becomes hypersensitive. 

​💡 Polyvagal Theory Overview (Quick Context)
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory explains how our autonomic nervous system (ANS) shifts between different states of safety, mobilization, or shutdown, affecting everything from digestion to sensory processing.
The key branches:

• Ventral Vagal (safe & social): Calm, connected, good digestion and regulation.
• Sympathetic (fight or flight): Alert, anxious, poor digestion, hyper-awareness.
• Dorsal Vagal (freeze/collapse): Shut down, withdrawn, slowed gut function.

​Constipation is often a dorsal vagal response—a sign the body is in a shutdown state:

• Blood flow is diverted away from digestion.
• Peristalsis slows down.
• The vagus nerve’s calming input to the gut is disrupted.
• Children with trauma, chronic stress, or neurodivergence often show GI symptoms.

It may also be worsened by sympathetic overdrive:

• When in chronic fight-or-flight, digestion is deprioritized.
• Tense muscles can also affect the pelvic floor and bowel movements.

​Sensory Overload & Polyvagal Theory
Sensory overload is a sympathetic or dorsal vagal reaction to perceived threat or unsafety:

• The nervous system becomes hypervigilant (sympathetic).
• Or it collapses in withdrawal and shutdown (dorsal).
• Over-responsive sensory pathways signal the body to protect itself, often seen in autistic individuals or those with trauma histories.

Nervous System State - Sympathetic (Fight/Flight)
Sensory Reaction - Sound/light sensitivity, anxiety, irritability
Gut Reaction - Gut tension, delayed digestion

Nervous System State - Dorsal Vagal (Freeze)
Sensory Reaction - Sensory shutdown, avoidance, zoning out
Gut Reaction - Constipation, low motility, gut shutdown

🌀 Clinical Insight from Dr. Karen Singh
“When a child presents with chronic constipation and sensory overload, I see it as a nervous system in survival mode. We work to bring them back into their ventral vagal state—through chiropractic adjustments, breathwork, somatic support, and trauma-informed care. Regulation heals everything.”

​🧘‍♀️ Interventions That Support Both

• Vagal nerve stimulation: Breathwork, humming, gargling, chiropractic care.
• Chiropractic adjustments: Especially in the sacral and vagal pathways.
• Occupational therapy: Helps modulate sensory input.
• Somatic practices: Reconnect the gut–brain axis and restore regulation.
• Polyvagal-informed therapy: Recognizes nervous system states and teaches tools to shift.

Birth Injury 
Gentle, neurological care to help your baby recover, regulate, and thrive.

Birth is a profound journey — but for some babies, it begins with trauma to the body or nervous system. A birth injury refers to any physical harm or neurological disruption that occurs during or near the time of delivery. Some birth injuries are mild and resolve on their own, but others can affect feeding, movement, development, or behaviour well into infancy and beyond if not addressed.
At Nandish Health, Dr. Karen Singh provides specialised care for newborns who have experienced a difficult, fast, or medically assisted birth. Her gentle, baby-specific techniques release tension from the spine, skull, and nervous system — helping your baby return to ease, integrate their birth experience, and begin life with more comfort and connection.

Common Signs of Birth Injury or Birth Stress

• Pale, grey, or blue skin tone after birth
• Low or fluctuating heart rate or breathing (requiring resuscitation)
• Lethargy, sluggishness, or lack of movement
• Baby feels overly stiff (hypertonic) or floppy (hypotonic)
• Difficulty latching, feeding, or showing no interest in feeding
• Facial asymmetry or unusual movements in arms/legs
• Head tilt or baby favouring one side of the body
• Low APGAR scores at birth
• Weak or absent neonatal reflexes (startle, grasp, rooting, sucking)

How Birth Injury Affects the Nervous System
The birth process — especially if fast, assisted (forceps/ventouse), prolonged, or surgical — can place significant strain on a baby’s head, spine, and cranial nerves. Even a “normal” birth may cause subtle misalignments that interfere with how the baby breathes, feeds, digests, and develops reflexes.
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Disruption in the central or peripheral nervous system, tension in the cranial dura (membranes), or compression of spinal joints can alter muscle tone, sleep, latch, and motor development — often seen in the early days or weeks after birth.

Dr Karen Singh - Paediatric Family Chiropractor

"I always had a passion for paediatric chiropractic care — but it wasn’t until the birth of my son that I truly understood the miraculous intelligence of the human body and its innate power to heal."
My pregnancy was beautiful, and my labour began naturally and peacefully. But as we reached the final moments of delivery, everything changed. My son became stuck during the birth process, and he was born with left shoulder dystocia and Erb’s Palsy — a result of pelvic outlet constraints and intense traction on his neck and shoulder nerves.
I still remember the moment — just 10 minutes after his birth — when I was told he might never regain full function of his left arm. It was one of the most confronting and emotional moments of my life. He couldn’t latch or feed properly due to cranial tension and nerve irritation. He couldn’t lift his tiny arm.
But I trusted what I knew as a chiropractor. Within two hours of his birth, he had his first chiropractic adjustment — the gentlest, most intuitive care to release pressure from his neck and upper spine. We continued with daily chiropractic care for the first four weeks of his life.
And in just three weeks, this resilient little soul had fully recovered from both shoulder dystocia and Erb’s Palsy. He began feeding, moving, and growing like nothing had ever happened.
This experience changed me as a mother and a practitioner. It became a living, breathing reminder that our bodies — even in their most vulnerable moments — are deeply intelligent, and capable of incredible healing when supported in the right way.
When I became pregnant again, I was deeply intentional about my care. I integrated chiropractic adjustments, nervous system regulation, pelvic balancing, and Spinning Babies® techniques throughout my pregnancy. The result? A 2.5-hour labour with no complications. My second birth was calm, connected, and deeply empowering — a true testament to how preparation, alignment, and informed birth practices can create entirely different outcomes.

"Sometimes babies — and mothers — just need space, calm, and support to come back into balance. The body knows what to do when we remove interference and honour the process."

💫 Top 10 Reasons Parents Bring Their Children to Nandish Health

Chiropractic care for healthy development, calm regulation, and thriving little humans.
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At Nandish Health, we understand that children grow rapidly — physically, emotionally, and neurologically. From the very beginning of life, the spine and nervous system play a vital role in regulating feeding, digestion, sleep, immunity, and behaviour. Parents bring their babies, toddlers, and school-age kids to us not just when something is "wrong," but to support whole-body wellness, naturally.
Here are 10 of the most common reasons parents trust our paediatric chiropractic team:

Feeding, Latching & Attachment Difficulties
Tension in the jaw, neck, or cranial nerves can affect a baby’s ability to latch effectively and feed with ease.
Head Tilt or Difficulty Turning Head Both Ways
Often caused by birth strain or torticollis, this can lead to flat spots (plagiocephaly), latch preference, or developmental asymmetry.
Concerns About Head Shape (Plagiocephaly)
Gentle cranial work supports balanced skull growth and reduces the need for helmets by addressing the root cause early.
Digestive Distress, Reflux & Constipation
The vagus nerve and diaphragm play a major role in digestion. Chiropractic helps release tension affecting gut-brain communication.
Colic, Crying & Infant Irritability
If your baby seems "uncomfortable in their body," adjustments may help regulate their nervous system and calm the internal stress.
Sleep Difficulties & Restlessness
Unsettled sleep can be a sign of physical discomfort, cranial tension, or nervous system overstimulation.
Recurrent Illness, Ear Infections & Poor Immunity
Chiropractic care helps strengthen immune resilience by supporting lymphatic drainage, spinal alignment, and nervous system function.
Posture, Crawling or Walking Delays
Early movement patterns are linked to brain development. We support spinal mobility and integration of primitive reflexes.
Emotional Regulation & Behavioural Support
Kids with sensory processing difficulties, anxiety, or ADHD often benefit from nervous system-focused care that calms overstimulation.
To Optimise Overall Health & Brain-Body Development
​Chiropractic supports neural plasticity — helping your child grow, adapt, learn, and connect more fully with their world.