Ep.76: 10 Baby Signs Dismissed as Normal (And What They're Actually Telling You)

10 Baby Signs Dismissed as Normal

If you've sat across from a doctor, a mother-in-law, or your mom group and heard some version of "it's fine, babies are like that, you're probably overthinking it"... this episode is for you.

Okay, listen. Not an emergency and nothing worth addressing are two completely different things. And both can be true about the exact same symptom.

In this episode I'm walking you through 3 of the 10 signs in real depth, the ones I see dismissed the most in my practice:

1. Red, irritated skin creases (neck folds, armpits, behind the knees) It's not always "just chubby folds." Persistent redness can be a tension issue too. When a baby holds tension through their neck, shoulders, or hips, those creases don't open and close the way they're supposed to. Worth a closer look if it's worse on one side, keeps coming back, or your baby seems uncomfortable when you clean it.

2. Head-turning preference "They just have a favorite side" is doing a lot of work it shouldn't be doing. A baby who consistently turns one way isn't forming a habit, they're working within a limitation. This one rarely stays contained to just the head. It can show up in flat spots, a feeding preference for one side, and tummy time frustration.

3. Reflux (or "colic") that just doesn't resolve Reflux is common. Common does not mean it doesn't deserve a real look. Medication manages stomach acid, it doesn't address what's causing the regurgitation in the first place. If symptoms haven't meaningfully shifted after a few weeks, or you've cycled through medications or formula changes... your gut is telling you something worth listening to.

I also name (but don't go deep on, they each get their own full breakdown in the guide):

• Shallow latch, chomping, lip blisters, clicking during feeds
• The curled, tense baby who fights diaper changes and sleeves
• The stiff, arching baby everyone calls "so strong"
• Flat head shape
• Motor milestones out of sequence (rolling one direction only, bum scooting instead of crawling)
• Inconsolable crying
• Sleep patterns that get waved off as normal when they're not, and vice versa

The thread through all of it: these aren't 10 separate problems. They're one story, told 10 different ways. A baby's system carrying more load than it needs to, showing up in a handful of places at once.

You've been noticing these things for a while now. You weren't imagining it. You just didn't have the language yet.

Grab the Free Guide

All 10 signs, in the same depth we covered here for the first 3: 10 Baby Signs Dismissed as Normal

Next Steps

If something in this episode named what's been going on with your baby:

• Local to Hamilton? Book an in-person session.
• Anywhere else in Canada or the world? Check out the Baby Bodywork at Home course, hands-on techniques you can start using today from your living room floor.

More From Kaili

My book, Mothering From Within, is available now --> https://www.kailiets.com/book

A gentle disclaimer: nothing on this podcast is medical advice. It's provided for educational purposes only and doesn't replace your own medical or healthcare provider.