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Chiropractic for Breastfeeding Problems

© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

Benefits of BreastfeedingBenefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby are numerous:

For baby:

Reduces the incidence and severity of a wide range of diseases

Reduces SIDS risk

Associated with higher IQs in first grade

For mother:

Decreases bleeding after birth

Speeds return to pre-birth weight

Decreases risk of breast and ovarian cancer

Reduces the effects osteoporosis


Breastfeeding and Joint Misalignment

Many nursing difficulties are not maternal problems --

but a problem with the baby.

Many newborns have challenges latching or suckling effectively.

These difficulties may stem from labor and delivery trauma, which results in:

Misalignments in spine of the child’s neck

Misalignments in the jaw (temporomandibular joint or TMJ)


Labor, Delivery, & Vertebral SubluxationsLabor and delivery may cause vertebral subluxations.

• A traumatic birth or a C section may increase the risk of this condition.

• Vertebral subluxations are linked with breastfeeding problems.

• Vertebral subluxations can also lead to a misaligned jaw – which can lead to breastfeeding problems.

Areas in the spine where vertebrae are slightly out of place


Chiropractic Care for Infants

Chiropractors use gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations and TMJ misalignment,

which, in turn, may resolve breastfeeding issues.


New Research on Chiropractic and Breastfeeding Problems

A 2009 study looked at:

114 newborns diagnosed with feeding problems

Researchers found many had:

vertebral subluxations in the spine of their neck

temporomandibular joint imbalance

inadequate suck reflex

All received chiropractic care

78%

All showed some improvement

were able to exclusively

breastfeed after 2 to 5 treatments


Past Studies on Chiropractic & Breastfeeding Problems


An infant unable to breastfeed properly

with excessive regurgitation and fussiness

After 2 weeks of chiropractic care the regurgitation

and fussiness ceased, and the

child was sleeping better

After 9.5 months No return

of symptoms

and

An infant unable to suckle effectively since birth

Suckled immediately

After one adjustment


Past Studies on Chiropractic & Breastfeeding Problems


1,000 newborns treated by

chiropractors for failure and/or difficulty with breastfeeding

The babies received

chiropractic adjustments

99% had excellent resultsIn 80%

birth-induced temporomandibular joint

dysfunction was the cause


Don’t Wait Until Your Baby Arrives to Schedule an Appointment

If you have a new baby, or are expecting one soon, schedule a visit to our office.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help make delivery easier, by ensuring that the mother’s hip joints are in alignment.

Once your baby arrives, chiropractic care can help your baby breastfeed successfully.


Pick Up a Copy of the Chiropractic for Breastfeeding Problems OHU

For more on this topic, please pick up a copy of the corresponding OHU handout.

Look to the OHU for citations to research on this topic.

Share the OHU handout with friends, family, co-workers, etc. Just let us know how many you need.


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