Q: I am a DC and have been confused by some of the claims of "technique peddlers". What is your approach to babies and adjusting the little ones. Testing for determination of correction--your approach etc. Thanks A: After 25 years of practice I do things instinctively rather than by the book. For a small infant .. I have the baby on the back and check their leg length by placing my thumbs on the mallealous (or however you spell it .. the medial ankle bony protrusion). They should line up. You may have to play with the child to get them to straighten their legs or you'll get a feel which on is higher. Then I press (gently) my index finger in the process between mandible and occiput and then check the legs again. Usually the side of the atlas involvement shows up as even legs. For this adjustment I place the baby on their side opposite the atlas adjustment and then place the tip of my thumb in this area I tested and quickly and gently toggle the area. Be gently and fast with little depth. The usual reaction is a delayed cry by the baby that normally lets me know I got it. A quick check of the legs shows they are even. I also check the baby with them lying prone across my lap with their head hanging over. I palpate their spine gently and when you reach a trigger point they usually squirm. Light digital massage normally handles this and I call this the finger walk and instruct the mother to do this during the day by massaging the back with light massage in the area they were getting antsy and this usually nips things in the bud. If nothing else it is bonding between parent and child. For older kids .. I use Activator or hands as an adult just a bit gentler. For a kid about 1-2 years old needing a diversified rotary move of the cervicals .. I often have the child lie on their parent with their knees over the parents shoulder and their head on their lap. I do a gentle very light rotary move as if they were an adult lying supine. This usaully works for me. I hope this helps Have a Great Day Dr. M