Holding baby upside down by one leg?

[fek&fuzz]

So, my nephew (at home, staying intact and loved by all) was born yesterday and my BIL was telling me that one of the midwives picked him (the babe, not the BIL) up by one leg to see if his head tilted or didn't. It didn't do what it should have so she did a little rubbing on his neck and then when she held him up by one leg again, his head did what it was supposed to.

It sounded like craniosacral therapy maybe but he wasn't sure.

Has anyone heard of this?

[georgia]

No. I've never heard of that before, but there would be no.way anyone is picking up my baby by the leg (or any body part for that matter) esp. in those magical first few hours. Interesting...I'm sure someone will have more info for you.

Congratulations, btw

[rmzbm]

Odd. Never heard of it & would never allow it.

[phoebemommy]

My chiropractor did this for ds when he was... can't remember... a month or two old? I was laying on the table and he held him right over me. The way he turned more to one side than the other indicated that he needed a little adjustment. After the adjustment he was overall much straighter, calmer, and seemed much more comfortable nursing.

I think it was really helpful, so I don't know if I'd have a big problem with it right after birth, depending on the situation and all. The baby's used to hanging upside down in the womb so it's not like it's an unusual position for him, provided it's done gently and hanging right over mom. But it's weird if the midwives didn't say why they did this, exactly. (Maybe they did and your BIL forgot in all the excitement?)

[fek&fuzz]

Originally Posted by phoebemommy

My chiropractor did this for ds when he was... can't remember... a month or two old? I was laying on the table and he held him right over me. The way he turned more to one side than the other indicated that he needed a little adjustment. After the adjustment he was overall much straighter, calmer, and seemed much more comfortable nursing.

I think it was really helpful, so I don't know if I'd have a big problem with it right after birth, depending on the situation and all. The baby's used to hanging upside down in the womb so it's not like it's an unusual position for him, provided it's done gently and hanging right over mom. But it's weird if the midwives didn't say why they did this, exactly. (Maybe they did and your BIL forgot in all the excitement?)

I think that might have had something to do with it....

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by phoebemommy

My chiropractor did this for ds when he was... can't remember... a month or two old? I was laying on the table and he held him right over me. The way he turned more to one side than the other indicated that he needed a little adjustment. After the adjustment he was overall much straighter, calmer, and seemed much more comfortable nursing.

I think it was really helpful, so I don't know if I'd have a big problem with it right after birth, depending on the situation and all. The baby's used to hanging upside down in the womb so it's not like it's an unusual position for him, provided it's done gently and hanging right over mom. But it's weird if the midwives didn't say why they did this, exactly. (Maybe they did and your BIL forgot in all the excitement?)

Our chiro did this for Thomas at 4 days old. He also told us to do it from time to time to make sure his neck turns both ways.

[Gilby]

Fascinating!

[lyttlewon]

LOL That reminds me of a story my mom told about my oldest brother. His grandmother turned him upside down after he was born and held him for a couple of seconds and then declared "Now he won't get liver grown". WTF? : My mom never figured out what that meant.

My chiro did tell me to hold DS by the feet occasionally after he was born. I imagine it is a gentle way of adjusting the back.

[Ironica]

Routinely spinning babies around and turning them upside down helps their vestibular sense develop, which improves gross motor skills (particularly balance). So long as baby is held securely but gently, and I knew what the goal was ;-), and it didn't interfere with immediate bonding/skin-to-skin, I doubt it would bug me.

[GardenStream]

I'm in Germany right now, but my ped did the same thing with my son at about 5 days and again at 2 months. He held him by both feet, but he would lift one foot about 3 inches higher than the other and then switch. He said it was important for his spine and neck as well. It didn't seem to bother my son and I saw no reason to object.

[mwherbs]

I seen it done with 2 feet, the baby will twist one way or another -don't know how I feel about it-as an adjustment and if it is necessary so soon after birth- also my oldest daughter was born in 1978 and the doctor held her by her feet at birth and then when dh followed her to the nursery they also did it to measure her- I would say they were very rough when doing this

[fek&fuzz]

Originally Posted by lyttlewon

LOL That reminds me of a story my mom told about my oldest brother. His grandmother turned him upside down after he was born and held him for a couple of seconds and then declared "Now he won't get liver grown". WTF? : My mom never figured out what that meant.

My chiro did tell me to hold DS by the feet occasionally after he was born. I imagine it is a gentle way of adjusting the back.

Cool, my nephew won't get "liver grown" either.

He had a very quick birth, and had been in face up position until almost the very end, so I wonder if that was why he needed an adjustment. They didn't do it with my niece when she was born 3 years ago, but she took 36 hours to get here.

The midwives are very gentle and wonderful. The baby is not measured or weighed right away. There was lots of skin to skin bonding time after the birth, and I suspect this was done while was sister was going to the bathroom or something.

[Kidzaplenty]

Yeah, my chiro did that to my son when he was just a couple of days old. It is good and I will be doing it with all mine from now on. Helps to align the spine.

[honolula]

I have no idea, but this is about as priceless a thread title as you could ask for on a mothering board.

[herwitsend]

http://csumc.wisc.edu/AmericanLangua...amish&state=pa

I found this reference to being "liver grown". PA dutch anyone?

[fek&fuzz]

Originally Posted by herwitsend

http://csumc.wisc.edu/AmericanLangua...amish&state=pa

I found this reference to being "liver grown". PA dutch anyone?

Cool. "Powwowing" sounds like Chest PT - where you cup your hands and pound on the back to get rid of phlegm.

[Rockies5]

lol I knew what it was (we have roots in that area).

MY mw didn't but I did it. for the spine. We had crazy fast births with the last two and I think it helps. They don't get upset or anything.

[georgia]

Immediately following the birth or are we talking like hours, days? I'm sincerely interested

[fek&fuzz]

My nephew was hours after birth.

[Mindi22]

I do hang babies upside down as a chiropractor, but never by only one leg. I've never seen or been taught anything chiropractically that would make that make sense....

I'd ask the midwife about it?