(B.Appl Sci; Comp Med, Clin Chiro; Masters, B.Nursing)
It is well known worldwide that breastfeeding is a
‘normal’ biological way to feed a baby. Nature made no mistakes here, as breast
milk is a whole and complete food for newborn babies, and can even offer
benefits to toddlers. New born babies are designed to thrive exclusively on
breast milk. This is possible due to; 1. The perfect balance of nutrition, and
2. The high level of antibodies/ immunoglobulins; IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE & IgM.
Physiologically, breastfeeding promotes proper brain development and protects
against infectious and chronic diseases.
Breastfeeding exclusively promotes ongoing milk
production, whereas supplementing with formula may inhibit the natural flow and
supply of breast milk and decrease the nutrient content and immune factors a
baby would naturally receive. We can’t forget the priceless maternal-child
bonding experience that takes place when breastfeeding as well. The World
Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of six
months (and up to two years!). They encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding
alongside the introduction of a healthy 'solids' diet.
Breastfeeding isn't always a smooth and easy start.
Like all new tasks, skills and jobs, new mothers also have to learn and master
their new job of motherhood and nourishing their new born with breast milk. It
is less common than thought that a woman has low milk supply. In saying this,
milk supply is most certainly affected by poor attachment of the baby, or poor
breastfeeding technique. In many cases breastfeeding problems arise from issues
in the baby, commonly their neck or jaw. On
the other hand, if milk supply is
adequate, mammary glands & ducts patent and yet your baby is just not
taking to the breast comfortably or breastfeeding successfully, then perhaps a
functional concern exists with your baby. Commonly newborn babies have
dysfunction, known as vertebral or cranial subluxation complexes of their neck,
jaw or cranial bones which often affect their ability to breastfeed comfortably,
efficiently and successfully…
Chiropractic Care For
Breastfeeding....
Chiropractic is based on the philosophy that the
body can self heal and regulate, and that when the spine and nervous system are
under stress/ ‘subluxated’ the body cannot express its full health potential.
The first instance this ‘subluxation’ occurs is in babies often due to
undesirable foetal position and or traumatic birthing processes, such as when
the following interventions are utilised; forceps, vacuum, manual distraction or
caesarean sections. Therefore, having your baby assessed and adjusted by a
chiropractor shortly after birth is simply a preventative means to
ensuring subluxations are removed and nervous system stress is corrected so
that they may settle into their new environment happily and comfortably.
It is extremely common for chiropractors to find babies
born with intervention who have colic (irritable or unsettled) and who are not
a calm and happy little baby. In addition, forceps commonly cause bruising to the face,
and swelling and dysfunction to the neck and jaw. When you see forceps in
action, you certainly do change your perception of being super careful and
gentle when handling babies. Forceps are brutal! Vacuum suction can also cause
a considerable amount of dural tension/ stress to the nervous system. In fact,
any sort of manual force or stress to a baby's neck and head (including c-sections)
can leave a baby with commonly undetected musculoskeletal issues. When
observing your baby, concern may arise if you notice any of the following; tummy-time
refusal/ fussiness, one-sided neck movement (during play and sleep), stunted/
delayed milestones, fussiness at the breast, one-sided breast preference, incomplete
jaw/ mouth opening (during feeding or crying), continual crying, difficulty
settling, poor sleep, crying/ screaming with neck movement to the painful side.
Today, chiropractors use a variety of techniques to
correct functional vertebral stress (subluxation), of which are all gentle, safe
and effective. A chiropractic adjustment of a baby involves the slightest
pressure, similar to pressing on a closed eyelid, and often impacts change in a
baby within hours and days. A chiropractic spinal adjustment ensures your baby has a healthy functioning nervous system as they grow
and develop, allowing them to express their full potential of health and happiness!
Whilst it might be considered new to most people,
there are many studies that have highlighted the benefits of chiropractic in
the treatment of breastfeeding issues:
- A 1999 study of the Chiropractic
management of an infant experiencing breastfeeding difficulties and colic found
that crying, screaming and shaking were all reduced significantly. The
mother also noted that vomiting before and after feeds had ceased and that
her child was a “totally different baby”. After the third Chiropractic adjustment
normal suckling was restored, and the baby began to breastfeed
successfully (Sheader, WE, J Clin
Chiro Paeds 1999 Vol 4, 1).
- A 1999 study of Chiropractic care for
infants with dysfunctional nursing found that those babies under Chiropractic care were able to
breastfeed successfully (Hewitt,
EG. J Clin Chiro Paeds 1999, Vol 4, 1).
- A 1994 case study presents an infant who
is unable to attach during breast-feeding. This inability to breast-feed was due to pain caused by atlas/ C1
vertebral subluxation complex and Temperomandibular joint dysfunction.
This three-week-old girl had colic, flatulence and outbursts of crying
from 9 PM to 1 AM since birth, 19 days prior. Chiropractic adjustments
(including cranial therapy) were commenced, and by the fourth week of
care, the baby began to breast-feed from both breasts successfully. The
symptoms of colic; the crying outbursts subsided (Krauss, L. J Chiro
Paeds. 1994 Vol 1, 3).
- A 2000 study of a 6 month-old
Chiropractic patient with resolution of suckling intolerance. The baby
had an aversion to suckling. Chiropractic examination detected dysfunction
of the occipitoparietal junction and the upper cervical spine (C1-C2). The
patient was treated 5 times through use of cranial and atlas (C1)
adjustments. The suckling intolerance resolved immediately after the first
office visit and did not return (Holtrop DP, J Manip Physiol Ther
2000; Vol 23, 9: p. 615).
- A 2009 case series of the
contribution of Chiropractic therapy to resolving suboptimal
breastfeeding. 114 Infants were
treated with chiropractic adjustments, of which
all children showed some improvement, being able to exclusively breast
feed after 2 to 5 treatments within a 2-week time period (Miller etal. J Manip Physiol Ther 2009,
Vol 32, 8: pp. 670-674).
- A 2008 study of Chiropractic care of a pediatric patient with symptoms associated with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. The infant had fuss-cry-irritability, with a sleep disorder syndrome and irritable infant syndrome of musculoskeletal origin. Notable improvement in the patient's symptoms was observed within four visits and total resolution of symptoms within three months of care (Alcantara, J etal. J Can Chiro Assoc. 2008, Vol 52, 4: pp. 248-55).
Doctors of Chiropractic are the only health
professionals in the world who are trained to detect and correct spinal, pelvic
and cranial subluxations. Chiropractic care is safe, gentle and
effective, and is natural choice for health and wellness. Being cared for
from birth by a Chiropractor ensures that your nervous system and spine are
free of interference for good health and development, naturally.
For any
questions relating to breastfeeding please contact the Australian
Breastfeeding Association on the helpline: 1800 686 2 686 or refer to: www.breastfeeding.asn.au and for any further information
about chiropractic please contact the Chiropractors Association of Australia on
1800 075 003 or Dr Orly Zuker on: info@waverleyroadchiro.com.au
Spinal Decompression Therapy, first approved by the FDA in 2001, has since evolved into a cost-effective treatment for herniated and degenerative spinal discs, and spinal stenosis; one of the major causes of back pain and neck pain. perimeter spine and rehab reviews
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