How can chiropractic help infants with difficulty breastfeeding?

From the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
October 2009

This is a case series of 114 infants who were diagnosed in a hospital or by a lactation consultant with breast feeding problems. These patients were referred to seek chiropractic care in addition to routine pediatric care.

The three most common diagnoses for why these infants were unable to breastfeed were:
-cervical posterior joint dysfunction
-temporomandibular joint imbalance (TMJ)
-inadequate suck reflex.

“Treatment was chiropractic therapy in addition to support given elsewhere.
All children showed some improvement with 78% being able to exclusively breastfeed after 2 to 5 treatments over a 2-week time period.”

Chiropractors are experts in diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems - in this case series the most common issues being with the cervical spine and jaw. 

This article demonstrates the benefit of pediatric chiropractic care as a multidisciplinary approach to breastfeeding issues with a musculoskeletal cause. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.08.023

Galactagogues

Galactagogues!

I’ve posted on this before but sometimes it helps to have a little reminder. Galactagogues are foods or herbs that may help increase breastmilk supply by increasing prolactin levels. Prolactin is the hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate milk production.

Some common foods that are reported galactagogues include:

Oatmeal and whole grains like barley

Nuts and seeds

Brewer’s Yeast - often included in lactation cookie recipes but easier to find in the obvious: beer. 1-2 beers is considered safe for a breastfeeding pair but it is important to know your limits and indulge in moderation!

Herbs like raspberry and fennel and blessed thistle - all found in the Mother’s Milk tea

Chickpeas

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While these foods may help, the best ways to increase supply is to nurse often, eat a healthy diet and if concerns arise to meet with a pediatric chiro and/or lactation consultant to asses for any latching issues. And as always, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!