When it comes to babies, we know that ‘fed is best.’ But with this said, breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for both mother and child. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months are associated with improved immunity, reduced risk of infections, and long-term health benefits for infants. Additionally, breastfeeding has been linked to reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes, in mothers. [1]
There are many benefits of breastfeeding not related to nutrition, including the fact that skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding releases oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding and relaxation. While breastfeeding is highly recommended, the overall health and happiness of both mother and baby should always be the top priority.
What many people don’t understand is the role a chiropractor may play for mother and baby when it comes to breastfeeding. From non-surgical interventions regarding tongue tie, to supporting head and neck movement, reflex integration, sucking and swallowing, there are many documented case reports that indicate chiropractic can support successful breastfeeding. We are about to take you through the latest. But first, let’s take a look at the problem.
The big picture around breastfeeding
Most Australian mothers want to breastfeed, and while it can be a fulfilling experience, it can also be challenging and stressful, with many mothers seeking support, especially in the early stages. Results from the 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey (the latest research) shows that 96% of mothers start breastfeeding. However, there is a rapid fall in breastfeeding rates in the early weeks.
- By around three months (less than 4 months), only 39% of babies are still being exclusively breastfed
- By around five months (less than 6 months) , only 15% are being exclusively breastfed. This tells us that most parents have introduced solids before 6 months.
Looking at non-exclusive breastfeeding:
- 69% of babies are receiving some breastmilk at 4 months of age
- 60% of babies are receiving some at 6 months
- 28% of babies are still breastfeeding at 12 months
- Only 5% reached 2 years of breastfeeding. [2]
We know that breastfeeding plays a crucial role in a child’s oral development, influencing the shape of the palate and jaw, which can impact breathing and dental health.
Several factors can influence an infant’s ability to breastfeed effectively, including tethered oral ties (TOTs). While surgical intervention (frenectomy) is an option, it carries potential risks and should be considered carefully. A conservative approach, such as gentle stretching and oral therapy, is often sufficient to address TOTs without resorting to surgery. It’s crucial to weigh the potential benefits and risks before considering a surgical intervention.
Enter Chiropractic
Some infants with breastfeeding difficulties may have underlying subluxations, contributing to their issues. A combined approach, addressing both oral ties and spinal health, may be necessary for optimal outcomes. While many parents might not know to bring their babies in for checks, what we know is this: chiropractic care is gentle and effective, and can involve supporting functions of sucking and swallowing (via soft tissue therapy and cranial work), and caring for babies that might have experienced difficult births and thus have subluxations, shoulder dystocia, or torticollis impacting a baby’s ability to latch.
A recent publication in the Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal discusses a series of cases involving infants and newborns with breastfeeding difficulties and other concerns regarding tongue and lip ties, reflux, poor latch, vomiting and vertebral subluxations.
The series examines seven separate cases with ages ranging from nine days to four months, with the parent’s main goal of improving breastfeeding without resorting to surgery. Chiropractic care for the reduction of subluxation was delivered via diversified technique, modified to suit the age, size and tensile strength of the infant, and complemented by dural stretches and oral soft tissue therapy (STT).
Across all cases, improvements in breastfeeding outcomes and/or tethered oral tissues were noted, which in turn impacted breastfeeding success. The fact that all cases showed significant improvement, regardless of the specific subluxation or approach used by the chiropractor. None of the cases showed adverse events, which once again reinforces the gentle and effective nature of chiropractic care for babies.
While tethered oral ties (TOTs) are often considered a cause of breastfeeding difficulties, and chiropractic care has had some success in assisting in their management, it’s important to consider other factors, such as subluxations, torticollis and birth trauma. Chiropractic care may address these subluxations, improving nervous system function and potentially resolving breastfeeding issues.
Some cases of tethered oral ties will need surgical intervention, but bringing chiropractic care in prior to surgical intervention is an option many parents don’t know about. We need larger studies to confirm and explain what many case reports have shown, and what chiropractors are likely to have witnessed time and time again in practice. But this is a
What we know for now is this: stress, subluxation and tethered oral ties can all impact how well an infant is able to breastfeed. This in turn will impact the mother’s level of stress, and in the long term, breastfeeding success. Once again, chiropractic care is about caring for the whole family. That is a beautiful thing indeed.
References
- Elster E. Sixteen Infants with Acid Reflux and Colic Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care to Correct Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcome. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health – Chiropr. 2009. 2;1-7
- Australian Breastfeeding Association. 2024. Resources, Breastfeeding rates in Australia. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/breastfeeding-rates-australia
