Failure to thrive (FTT) in babies is a critical issue that demands attention from both healthcare professionals and parents. FTT is not merely about your baby not gaining weight or being small; it’s a warning signal that a child may not be receiving adequate nutrition or has underlying health concerns. Early identification and intervention are crucial in ensuring the healthy growth and development of a child.
Failure to thrive is becoming more common in the United States, with a prevalence of 9.6% among infants. Unfortunately for so many parents, they are desperately searching for answers and explanations as to what’s really causing their infant to struggle so much, but get little to no help from their traditional pediatrician or medical team when specific underlying medical diseases or conditions are ruled out.
Whenever traditional medical testing for digestive function, nutritional intake, and overall health come up empty, it’s a likely sign that the dysfunction and root cause of the problem is deeper within the body.
More specifically, it’s a sign that the central or autonomic nervous system has gotten off track for your little one, which then leads to downstream effects like difficulty eating, absorbing and assimilating nutrients, altered motor planning and development, and lack of weight gain.
What is a Failure to Thrive Baby?
Failure to thrive is defined as decelerated or arrested physical growth (birth weight and height measurements fall below the third or fifth percentile, or a downward change in growth across two major growth chart percentiles) and is associated with abnormal growth and development.
The most common reason for failure to thrive is inadequate nutrition, but that often doesn’t tell the whole story. In order for a child to receive adequate nutrition, a whole host of factors must be in play and working well to coordinate each of the body’s essential functions that lead to optimal growth and development.
First the child must be able to properly latch and swallow in order to breastfeed or take a bottle. From there they must have proper neurological control of digestive function, in order to properly move food throughout the digestive tract, absorb nutrients, assimilate and send them to their proper place, and so forth. Each of these intricate functions is controlled and coordinated by the autonomic nervous system and a very important nerve called the vagus nerve. We’ll break down these essential and wildly overlooked components later in this article.
According to recent studies, failure to thrive affects 5-10% of children, making it a more common issue than many parents realize. Importantly, the impact of FTT extends beyond just physical size; it can have significant effects on a child’s cognitive, social, and behavioral development that persist long after infancy.
Signs of a failure to thrive baby to watch for include:
- Lack of appropriate weight gain
- Irritability or excessive sleepiness
- Lethargy and low energy levels
- Delayed motor development and missing milestones
- Cold intolerance and poor circulation
- Lack of age-appropriate social responses or eye contact
- Delayed language and communication skills
- Behavioral challenges like aggression or withdrawal
Conventionally, the causes of FTT are divided into organic (underlying medical condition interfering with nutrient intake/absorption) and non-organic (inadequate nutrition due to environmental factors or feeding difficulties). The most common medical conditions associated with failure to thrive include:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Celiac Disease
- Food intolerances or allergies
- Chronic infections
- Metabolic conditions
- Nervous system conditions like Cerebral Palsy
- Congenital heart defects
- Endocrine conditions
However, in up to 90% of cases, no specific organic cause is identified. These cases are categorized as non-organic. These infants are often labeled as having non-organic failure to thrive, with the assumption that the cause is strictly nutritional or environmental.
These broad-based explanations of what’s causing an infant’s failure to thrive does little to alleviate their parents’ worry, and leads them on a search for more complete and comprehensive explanations and answers. It’s often this search that leads them to PX Docs and Pediatric Chiropractic Care.
Failure to thrive is more than just a case of a baby being small. It’s a complex physiological condition that can have far-reaching effects on a child’s health, development, and future well-being. By understanding the full scope of FTT and the potential neurological underpinnings, parents can be better equipped to advocate for the care and interventions their child needs to thrive.
The Critical Role of the Nervous System in Growth and Development
To understand how nervous system dysregulation can contribute to failure to thrive, it’s important to first recognize the central role the nervous system plays in a baby’s overall growth and development.
The opposite status of dysregulation is nervous system regulation. When an infant’s nervous system is fully regulated and functioning optimally, each of the essential functions for eating, digestion, absorption, growth, and development is in sync and working well.
The Brain
The brain acts as the body’s command center, constantly receiving input from the environment and the body itself. It processes this information and sends signals via the nervous system to regulate and coordinate all the functions necessary for survival and growth. This includes things like:
- Hunger and fullness cues
- Digestion and nutrient absorption
- Breathing and heart rate
- Hormone production and regulation
- Immune function and inflammatory responses
- Sleep-wake cycles and energy conservation
In a well-functioning nervous system, the brain is able to adapt and respond to the body’s changing needs, keeping everything in a state of dynamic balance (homeostasis). This allows the body to allocate resources appropriately for growth and development.
The Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the branch of the nervous system responsible for controlling involuntary functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. It’s divided into two main branches:
- The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which triggers the “fight or flight” response during stress
- The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which promotes “rest, regulate, and digest” functions during relaxation
In a healthy nervous system, the SNS and PNS work together in a balanced way to regulate the body’s functions in response to internal and external demands. This balance is essential for a baby to thrive, as it allows the body to allocate resources towards growth and development when in a parasympathetic dominant state.
The Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves. It extends from the brainstem down through the neck and thorax to the abdomen, connecting the brain to many of the body’s major organs, including the digestive tract.
The vagus nerve is a key player in the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to regulate functions such as:
- Swallowing and gag reflex
- Vocal cord function and speech
- Heart rate and blood pressure
- Breathing and lung function
- Digestion, motility, and absorption
- Inflammation and immune responses
In essence, the vagus nerve acts as a two-way communication highway, relaying information about the state of the body’s organs back to the brain and carrying signals from the brain to regulate their function.
The Enteric Nervous System: The “Little Brain” in the Gut
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex network of neurons embedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s sometimes referred to as the “second brain” because it can function independently of the central nervous system.
The ENS works in close communication with the vagus nerve to manage various aspects of digestive function, including:
- Motility (the movement of food through the digestive tract)
- Secretion of digestive enzymes and juices
- Blood flow to the gut
- Nutrient absorption
- Immune function and inflammation in the gut
A properly functioning ENS is critical for a baby to be able to effectively break down, absorb, and utilize the nutrients necessary for growth.
The “Perfect Storm:” How Early Life Stress Sets the Stage for Failure to Thrive
We explored how the nervous system, particularly the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve, plays a critical role in regulating a baby’s growth and development. But what causes this delicate system to become imbalanced in the first place?
We recognize that there’s rarely a single cause for failure to thrive. Instead, it’s often a confluence of factors—a “Perfect Storm“—that overwhelms a baby’s developing nervous system, leading to subluxation, dysautonomia, and difficulty thriving. These factors can begin as early as conception and continue to compound through pregnancy, birth, and the first weeks and months of life.
Prenatal Stress and Maternal Health
The journey to thriving begins in the womb. Research shows that prenatal stress and maternal health factors can have a significant impact on a baby’s development. Some common stressors during pregnancy include:
- Maternal anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Chronic illness or infections
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Exposure to toxins or medications
- Relationship or financial stress
When a mother experiences high levels of stress during pregnancy, her body releases stress hormones like cortisol, which can cross the placenta and impact the fetus. Studies have found that exposure to these hormones during key developmental windows can alter the programming of the baby’s neurodevelopment, making it more reactive to stress and less able to self-regulate.
Additionally, maternal health conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or thyroid imbalances can impact nutrient flow to the developing baby, further compromising optimal nervous system development.
Birth Interventions and Trauma
The process of birth itself is a critical time for a baby’s nervous system. During a typical vaginal delivery, the baby’s cranium molds and adapts to the birth canal, and the sequential squeezing helps activate key reflexes and prime the nervous system for life outside the womb.
However, birth trauma, interventions, and complications can disrupt this natural process. Some examples include:
- Forceps or vacuum extraction
- Prolonged labor or pushing
- Cesarean section delivery
- Induction or augmentation of labor
- Abnormal fetal positioning
Birth interventions can strain the baby’s head and neck, potentially causing subluxations in the upper cervical spine that affect the brainstem and nerve regulation. This trauma may also injure the vagus nerve, disrupting the autonomic nervous system. Babies with traumatic births may show signs of sympathetic dominance, including difficulty settling, feeding issues, reflux, and colic.
Early Life Stressors and Challenges
The stressors don’t stop once a baby is born. The first weeks and months of life are filled with rapid growth and adaptation, and a baby’s nervous system can easily become overwhelmed. Some common challenges in early infancy include:
- Prolonged NICU stays or separation from parents
- Invasive medical procedures or testing
- Antibiotic exposure and gut dysbiosis
- Undiagnosed tongue/lip ties causing feeding difficulties
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and colic
- Poor sleep patterns and insufficient rest
- Environmental stressors like noise, light, or overstimulation
Over time, this can create a vicious cycle. Nervous system dysfunction leads to suboptimal function of the digestive system, immune system, and other key systems involved in a baby’s growth. This, in turn, can further exacerbate nervous system imbalance. It’s a self-perpetuating loop that can be difficult to break without intervention.
Breaking the Cycle
The “Perfect Storm” of early life stress can seem overwhelming, but the good news is that it’s never too late to make a difference for a baby struggling with failure to thrive. By identifying and addressing the root causes of nervous system dysfunction, it’s possible to help restore balance and create optimal conditions for growth and healing.
The PX Doc’s Approach to Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
For parents of a baby struggling with failure to thrive, it can be disheartening to feel like you’ve exhausted all options within the conventional medical system. You may have tried increasing calories for weight gain, changing formulas, or managing underlying medical problems, only to find that your little one still hasn’t reached the weight gain or development as expected.
Our Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care is specifically designed to address the root causes of nervous system dysfunction that can contribute to failure to thrive.
A Neurologically-Focused Approach
Rather than simply trying to increase weight gain or manage traits, our providers take a comprehensive view of your baby’s health and development. We recognize that growth is about so much more than just weight gain and calories—it’s a complex process that depends on the optimal functioning of multiple systems, all coordinated by the nervous system.
When subluxation and dysautonomia are present, they can disrupt this delicate balance. That’s why our care plans are designed to:
- Identify and correct areas of nervous system interference
- Stimulate the vagus nerve and promote parasympathetic function
- Support the body’s natural healing capacity
- Enhance overall well-being and resilience
We achieve this through a combination of Neurologically-Focused adjustments, cranial work, and other supportive interventions, all customized to your baby’s unique needs.
INSIGHT Scans: Mapping Nervous System Function
One of the key tools we use to assess nervous system health and guide our care is the INSIGHT scanning technology. These non-invasive scans provide a detailed look at your baby’s neurological function, including:
- Thermal scans to detect areas of subluxation and autonomic dysfunction
- Heart rate variability (HRV) to assess overall nervous system adaptability and resilience
By comparing your baby’s scans to age-appropriate norms, we can identify specific areas of concern and tailor our care plans and adjustments accordingly. Regular progress scans allow us to objectively track progress and ensure the best possible outcomes.
The image above is an HRV Scan on a Failure to Thrive infant. The white dot located on the lower right in the Zone 4 quadrant indicates that this child’s nervous system is completely dysregulated and has reached what’s known as a stage of neurological exhaustion. This third state of subluxation and dysregulation leads to significant “shutting down” and suppression of digestive function, motor function, and so much more that is quite common with the FTT presentation.
Thankfully this child responded very well to Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care and many weeks and months later was right back on track developmentally. Getting these INSiGHT Scans on Failure to Thrive infants is so essential to really find the root cause and give both parents and practitioners are an explanation as to why the child’s nutritional intake and overall growth and development has been so challenged.
A Focus on Function
It’s important to understand that our care is not about “fixing” a specific trait or condition. Rather, we focus on improving overall nervous system function, trusting that the body has an internal design and programming that constantly works to move it towards health, homeostasis, and well-being. Chiropractic care seeks to activate and help promote that internal regulation response rather than merely cover up the problem (symptoms) with medication.
This is why our care plans are often long-term and progressive in nature. Healing is a process, not an event, and it requires consistent support over time. We work closely with you to monitor your baby’s progress and make any necessary adjustments along the way.
As nervous system function improves, many parents notice improvements in their baby’s:
- Appetite and digestion
- Sleep quality and duration
- Mood and emotional regulation
- Gross motor skills and coordination
- Immune function and overall resilience
These improvements are a reflection of the body’s increased capacity to self-regulate and thrive when free from neurological stress and dysregulation.
Hope for Your Baby With Failure to Thrive
If you’ve been struggling to help your baby’s weight gain, you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and alone. But we want you to know that there is hope. You’re not alone on this journey, and there are caring providers ready to support you every step of the way.
The key is to seek out providers like PX Docs who immediately dive deep into the case history and provide an in-depth neurological assessment. Since digestion, absorption, nutrition, weight gain, and overall growth and development are so intricately tied to nervous system function, it just makes sense to start there.
While it’s quite unlikely that your conventional pediatrician or medical team will make a referral to a trained and qualified Pediatric Chiropractor, it’s simply because they lack education and understanding into nervous system function, regulation, and overall coordination at that level. They are trained to find and look for gross pathology and obvious problems, and since FTT only has those 10% of the time, they miss the real root cause in the vast majority of these cases.
We understand the unique challenges you’re facing. We know how heartbreaking it can be to watch your little one struggle, and how frustrating it feels to not have answers. But we also know the incredible resilience and potential that lies within every child! They truly can heal once their nervous system regulation and physiological factors are addressed and reactivated!
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to guide you. We invite you to visit our PX Docs directory to find a skilled pediatric chiropractor near you who can help your baby break through the “Perfect Storm” and reach their full potential!
