3 Ways a Chiropractor Can Help Support Successful Infant Feeding

Just because something is “natural” does not mean it is easy. There are so many factors that can impact infant feeding - cultural and societal expectations, environmental and health concerns, feeding-parent-related health struggles, and infant-specific dysfunctions. Some of these factors we can control and some we cannot. Infant feeding is a complex and vital activity.

Making sure a baby is well-fed is a big deal. It is a top priority for baby's health and growth and it is a unique (and intense) stressor when it is not going smoothly. Considering its influence on both long and short-term health, we fall short as a society in how we support people through this stage of life. We can do better. Ensuring your infant is fed and your nurturing goals are met are not journeys you need to go alone.

Although navigating resources can be a difficult task when you are sleep deprived and panicking, there are supports available within private and public health settings to support feeding dyads. In some communities (like here in Kelowna), chiropractors have taken specialized training courses and may have an area of expertise that can help support your baby’s struggles. Here are some of the ways a Doctor of Chiropractic may be a valuable part of your infant feeding support team:

Feeding is a physical act. There are physical functions that need to be intact for feeding to be efficient. A chiropractor can assess symmetry and function within the body (and mouth) structures to ensure there are no barriers to ideal suckling.  For example:

*Note: Baby bodies are not just little versions of adult bodies!  They anatomical structures, reflexes, and needs are categorically different. Make sure you seek out a provider with experiences and additional training working specifically with infant bodies.

**Another Note: Sometimes after a frenectomy has been performed, body work and special stretches are recommended to enhance recovery. Tongue ties and other Restricted Intra-Oral Tissues are another form of structural barrier that our chiropractors have experience in supporting.

2. Technique Support

Let me be clear: a qualified lactation consultant should be the first stop for struggling infant feeding difficulties. This may be found within your public health authority or through private support professionals. (Check out the Canadian Lactation Consultant Association to find someone in your area.). Some chiropractors have also taken this type of training and may be able to help you with specific lactation technique troubleshooting.

Even those chiropractors who have not taken additional training to troubleshoot latch and lactation technique specifically may still be helpful in supporting the “ergonomics” of infant feeding. Understanding biomechanics and body dynamics means we are good are fine-tuning positions and troubleshooting struggles that might improve your feeding technique success.  

We want the feeding parent to be comfortable too!  Hunching forward (for potentially prolonged periods of time), carrying and holding, and looking down lovingly for hours all take a toll on you body.  Chiropractors are also great at helping adults stand up tall, get strong, and feel good.

3. Nutrition Optimization & Happy Belly Health

We are, after all, talking about feeding!  Nutrition is kind of the point here.  Many chiropractors have knowledge on how to optimize nutritional health, for parent and babe.  They may be able to help troubleshoot excess gas and food reactions and answer questions about probiotics or other supplements.  We can also teach home-based techniques to support gas discomforts and improve bowel movement regularly. (The work we do to support baby’s physical comfort also often facilitates a relaxation response in their nervous system. This boosted parasympathetic function is often reported to calm digestive upset and improve bowel movement regularity, though there is not yet adequate research in this area.)  

Don’t forget the feeding parent! (Which may be YOU!) Their body is currently (attempting to) meet the needs of babe and parent.  They may be sleep deprived and stressed and may not have the most consistent eating patterns at the moment….  We want to make sure the feeding parent is well hydrated and well-nourished (with adequate calories and nutrients).  This can be an added struggles if there are dietary restrictions (new or ongoing). Inadequate nutrient intake (and stress and sleep deprivation…) can have a negative impact on milk supply, further aggravating feeding struggles.

*One More Note: At AltaVie, we also have Registered Dietitian and Naturopathic Doctor who can help support your nutritional journal!

We know it takes a village to raise a family.  Infant feeding struggles are extraordinary stressors on our family unit, our emotions, and our physiology. You do not need to go it alone.  Find a lactation professional to connect with to get you started and then check in with body work professional (like a chiropractor) who has advanced training infant care and feeding support.  

 

This blog was written by Dr Amanda Stevens. She is one of those special professional resources with a unique blend of training and expertise to support feeding-dyads in their health journey.  She has countless hours of advanced training in infant-specific musculoskeletal care (and even teaches other professionals on this topic), as well as additional course work in craniosacral therapy, TMJ disorders, and the stomatognathic system (goggle that one). She has taken the Breastfeeding Course for Healthcare Professionals from Douglas College (which include the coursework to become a lactation consultant, but she has not completed all of the other criteria for this designation…yet). On top of all that, she holds a Masters Degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition.  So yeah… she is a pretty impressive support person when it comes to infant feeding care.

Want to learn more? Book in for an initial exam with one of our chiropractors or book a free 15-minute chat (either over the phone or in-office) to see if our office is a good fit for you.

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References & Resources

Want to dork out some more on bodywork for infant feeding support?  Check out these research articles: