By Jody Schmuland • AltaVie Health
Becoming a parent is one of life’s most transformative experiences. From the moment you know you are expecting, your world begins to shift. Your body changes, your priorities change, and you start making choices not just for yourself, but for your growing family. Amid the excitement (and exhaustion), one of the most powerful tools you have is knowledge–an understanding of how perinatal and pediatric care can support your family’s health is a great place to start.
What is Perinatal Care and Why is It Important?
Perinatal care refers to the care you receive during pregnancy and in the months after birth. While many people think only of medical checkups and ultrasounds, there’s a whole world of holistic support in addition that can help you feel more comfortable, confident, and capable as you prepare to welcome baby.
Your body goes through rapid physical changes to make room for your growing baby. Hormones like Relaxin loosen your joints and ligaments to prepare for labour–but they can also cause pelvic instability, back pain, and sleep struggles. Chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture can all play a potential role in helping the body adjust to these changes, reduce discomfort, and strive to stay strong throughout pregnancy.
Why this matters: A more comfortable pregnancy supports better sleep, better movement, and can help you prepare for your labour and delivery experience.
Postpartum: The Other Half of the Journey
Once your baby arrives, it’s easy to forget about your own needs–but your recovery is just as important as your baby’s care. Common problems that new parents face include back pain and headaches, wrist pain, postural tension, and core weakness.
Focus Bodywork by a chiropractor or massage therapist can help restore balance to the body, ease discomfort, and support your physical recovery. Working with a registered dietitian (RD) or naturopathic doctor (ND) can support hormonal balance, mental health, healthy weight maintenance, and even boost milk supply.
Why this matters: When you feel stronger, more rested, and more supported, it can be a perfect formula to bond with your baby and adjust to your new role.
Supporting Your Baby from the Very Beginning
Babies may be tiny, but birth is a big physical
event for their bodies too. Pediatric chiropractic care is safe, gentle, and designed to support a baby’s nervous system and physical development
from day one.
We often see infants for:
• Latching or feeding issues
• Colic or fussiness
• Sleep challenges
• Torticollis (head turning preference)
As children grow, musculoskeletal care can aid in their recovery when they fall and get hurt, help them stay active and engaged in their sports and hobbies, and make sure that there are no physical barriers to them achieving their developmental milestones.
Why this matters: Musculoskeletal care for kids can help set the stage for a strong body and healthy nervous system, and support recovery when they get hurt.
Feeding Support: You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Feeding your baby–whether by breast, chest, bottle, or a combination–is deeply personal and sometimes surprisingly hard. Lactation consultants are trained to help you navigate challenges like poor latching, low supply, clogged ducts, or bottle refusal.
Seeing a lactation consultant early (even before birth!) can prepare you with realistic expectations and a support plan for those early days.
Why this matters: Feeding should feel nourishing, not stressful. The right help can make all the difference in your confidence and comfort.
A Clinic that Offers Support and Knowledge Like No Other
At AltaVie Health, the clinic is designed around the needs of young families. They believe health care should be holistic, accessible, and
family-friendly. That’s why they offer:
For parents:
• Prenatal and Postpartum Chiropractic Care
• Massage Therapy (RMT) for all stages, including prenatal massage
• Acupuncture (from Naturopathic Doctor)
• Naturopathic Medicine
• Lactation Consulting
• Registered Dietician Support
For babies and children:
• Pediatric Chiropractic Care from birth and up!
• Infant Massage Therapy
• Developmental Milestone Monitoring and Support
• Infant feeding support, including lip and tongue tie post-operative care
• Family Wellness Visits
• Damage Control (for all the bumps, bonks, bruises, and breaks)
Why this matters: Getting all the support you need in one place makes life easier and helps you focus on what matters most–your family.
A Community That Cares
Parenting isn’t meant to be done alone. Whether you’re expecting your first child or navigating life with a toddler, having the right support makes all the difference. At AltaVie Health, they’re not just here to treat symptoms–they are here to walk alongside you through every stage, offering guidance, education, and care that grows with your family.
Because when parents are supported, kids thrive–and that’s something every family deserves!
Jody Schmuland is AltaVie Health’s Clinic Director in Kelowna, BC, with a heartfelt advocacy for mothers and children. The clinic’s interdisciplinary team works collaboratively to deliver holistic perinatal, pediatric care and women’s health while championing community daily wellbeing and empowering families to thrive.