“My son isn’t latching well.” “My nipples are sore; breastfeeding hurts!” “I don’t think my baby is getting enough milk. “ “Why is my baby always fussing?”
And even worse: “My doctor said my baby is failing to thrive.” “I give up.”
These are far-too-common common sentiments from moms with newborns: exhausted, hormonal, and at their wits end in trying to follow through on breastfeeding their child. For a mom who wants to breastfeed, these issues can be life-altering, deeply frustrating, and can cause great emotional distress. As a matter of fact, the common feelings of guilt and failure can undermine a woman’s confidence in herself as a mom, as well as her trust in her body and it’s ability to provide for her child.
Does this sound familiar? (We wish it didn’t.)
But if it does, we want to tell you: 1 – You are not alone. And 2 – we just may have the answer you are looking for.
Many parents enlist the help of their family doctors, pediatricians, and lactation consultants without complete resolution, and feel that there is nothing else that can be done.
The truth is, there is a gentle and effective solution that can have amazing results: chiropractic care.
Many parents (as well as many health care providers) are unaware of the extensive training chiropractors can have to work specifically with infants. A positive and very quick improvement in latching is one of the most celebrated results that family chiropractors see in their practices on a regular basis.
Why is this?
The co-ordinated movement between the jaw, palate, base of the skull and first vertebra in the neck are necessary for a successful latch. In an infant these are all in exceptionally close proximity to each other (an area no larger than a quarter). Misalignment of these areas affects the infant’s ability to open the jaw fully and can result in an asymmetric latch.
Proper movement of the tongue is also necessary for an effective sucking action. The cranial nerve that controls tongue movement may become compressed between the base of the skull and the first vertebra in the neck. Compression of the ear’s eustacian tube can result in congestion & difficulty breathing through the nose. All of these can interfere with breastfeeding. 3,4
What else might a parent notice?
Very often, parents do not only complain of breastfeeding or latching difficulties, but rather have complaints that are related to this problem: excessive crying, colic, excessive spitting, preferring to nurse on one side, pulling off the nipple frequently, fussing right after feeding, or noticing that the infant’s head is frequently turned to the same side. Visual indicators of cranial issues can be asymmetric facial features, or an asymmetric shape to the head (or flat head). All of these are possible indicators of structural imbalances and/or an irritated nervous system. 3,4
These imbalances are called subluxations, which alter cranial and spinal mechanics, cause varying degrees of tension, and result in interference to the underlying nerves. As the nerves are responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the body, this balance is essential to normal function and healing, as well as its link to breastfeeding. In an infant, this function is also necessary for optimal neurological development.
Why would an infant have imbalances in their spines and heads?
Imbalances in an infant are most commonly related to the pregnancy and birth history, as the delicate structures of an infant’s skull and neck are the areas most likely to be strained or injured during birth. In one study done on 1000 infants, it was determined that 80% of newborns had structural imbalances in the upper neck immediately following birth.2 Possible contributing factors may include a breech fetal position, a prolonged or difficult labour, the use of interventions such as vacuum or forceps, and excessively short/excessively long pushing phase, or cesearean section.1
Why wouldn’t my family doctor or paediatrician assess for this?
It should also be stated that these imbalances may not be detected by hospital staff or paediatricians, as the specific assessment required is not a part of their general training.
Many chiropractors have undergone specific training for providing care to pregnant women, infants and children. In our office, Dr. Amy Robinson has taken care of hundreds of newborns. In fact, most babies remain in their parent’s arms during the visits, and may even sleep through them. Correction of spinal or cranial imbalances are made through gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments, which are performed on a newborn using only fingertips, and with no more pressure than you could press on your closed eye.
Issues with breastfeeding & latch tend to resolve quickly with chiropractic care – along with other related concerns – as structural and neurological balance is restored in the infant’s body. In the very least, the simple and gentle assessment could offer you a solution to your concerns.
We’d love to help. Reach out today!
References:
1. Anrig, Plougher; Pediatric Chiropractic; Williams & Wilkins, Maryland US. 1998.
2. Guttman, G. Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in babies and infants. Manual Medicine
1987 (25).
3. Miller, Joyce, D.C.; Assessing the Suck Reflex to Solve Feeding Difficulties; Orignally printed in: International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter July/August 2001.
4. Vallone, Sharon, D.C.; Chiropractic Care for the Breastfeeding Dad; LEAVEN, Vol. 39
No. 6; December 2003-January 2004; pp126-127
