Difficulty Breastfeeding

One focus in my osteopathic treatments is correcting anatomical dysfunction to allow for better function. For example, one of the bones at the base of the skull is called the occiput. In newborns, the occiput is in 4 different parts, and one of the cranial nerves, called the hypoglossal nerve, travels between these parts. The hypoglossal nerve’s purpose is to help with the sucking reflex. 

Now, if you imagine a traumatic birth experience where the bones of the occiput squished this nerve, then the sucking reflex of the newborn would not be as strong or work as well as when the nerve wasn’t being squished. My job would be to help restore the bones to where they’re supposed to be so it takes pressure off this nerve and the baby can have an easier time latching and sucking on the nipple.

Why do I have breastfeeding issues?

Breastfeeding is a critical stage in a newborn child’s development. It plays a major role in long-term health protection, disease-prevention, overall development and psychological attachment of the child to the mother. 

Breastfeeding is considered the most economical and effective method of weaning your child out of the secure environment of your womb to a more challenging external environment. However, difficult deliveries and long labor can put the baby under a lot of stress as they are twisted, compressed or stuck in one position for a long time. C-sections and having to spend time in the NICU may separate the mother and child during a critical time. Extreme tension can be difficult to deal with and present as difficulty in breastfeeding (latching or sucking). 

The latch may be painful, shallow, “bitey,” “chompy.” There could be issues with transferring enough milk from the breast to the baby, which may lead to concerns of weight loss or not enough weight gain.  Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been helpful in dealing with these breastfeeding issues.

A lot of breast-feeding issues arise from the trauma of giving birth. The baby’s bones of the skull are designed to be as free as possible to allow for the passage through the birth canal. Sometimes the bones can get stuck, which will affect the nerves that play a major role in breastfeeding. 

Studies have shown:

• steopathic manipulative techniques are useful in breastfeeding problems.
• OMT helped improve nipple-feeding skills in premature infants with nipple feeding dysfunction.

Sometimes there is a physical restriction of the lip and/or tongue that prevents the baby from forming the proper suction and tongue movements required during breastfeeding.  You may notice this as clicking while feeding.  

Not maintaining proper suction can lead to swallowing more air than necessary, which can manifest as discomfort, gassiness, fussiness, popping off the breast repeatedly.  Having a team to work with you on achieving your breastfeeding goals is ideal: an osteopathic doctor to address those restrictions mentioned above and help with the healing process if a tongue/lip tie revision is needed, a lactation consultant, a pediatrician specializing in breastfeeding medicine/pediatric ENT/dentist, and sometimes a speech/language pathologist.  

The movements of the tongue and mouth are vital not only in feeding but in speech development as well.  If your baby does require a revision, it is important to have osteopathic treatment before and after the revision to achieve the best results and aid in recovery.