How Chiropractic Care Helps Babies With Latching And Breastfeeding Challenges
For many new moms, breastfeeding doesn’t always come as easily as expected. Sometimes, despite the best efforts, proper positioning, lactation support, and endless patience, the baby still struggles to latch properly or feed comfortably.
While feeding challenges can be frustrating, they often have a physical cause that goes beyond technique. That’s where chiropractic care can help.
At Third Coast Chiropractic, we often work with babies experiencing latching issues — and by supporting proper spinal and nervous system function, we help both baby and mom find greater comfort and success during feeding.
Why Babies Struggle To Latch
Latching requires a complex combination of movements: the baby must open their mouth wide, coordinate tongue and jaw motion, and maintain suction, all while breathing comfortably.
When there’s tension, restriction, or misalignment in the neck, jaw, or upper back, it can make that process difficult. Common causes include:
Birth trauma or positioning (especially during long labors, C-sections, or forceps/vacuum use).
Tightness in the neck or jaw muscles.
Subluxations (misalignments) in the upper cervical spine or cranial bones.
Torticollis or a preference for turning the head one way.
Even a gentle birth can place significant stress on a baby’s delicate spine and skull, and that can subtly affect how they nurse.
Signs Your Baby May Have Latching Or Feeding Difficulties
You might notice:
Baby struggles to stay latched or frequently pulls off.
Clicking or popping sounds while feeding.
Baby prefers nursing on one side.
Excessive gassiness or spitting up.
Prolonged or painful feeding sessions.
Flattened head shape or tension in the jaw or neck.
Mom experiencing nipple pain, clogged ducts, or mastitis from poor latch.
These are all signs that your baby’s body might be working harder than it should to feed.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic care for infants focuses on restoring proper alignment and movement of the spine and cranial bones, especially in the upper neck (the atlas) and jaw area.
Gentle adjustments, often just light fingertip pressure, can:
Release tension in the neck, jaw, and cranial bones.
Improve nerve communication between the brain and the muscles used for feeding.
Restore natural range of motion, allowing baby to open their mouth wider and maintain a stronger latch.
Support better digestion and comfort after feeding.
When the nervous system and musculoskeletal structures are in balance, the baby’s body can feed more efficiently and comfortably.
Working As A Team
Chiropractic care works beautifully alongside other forms of support. We frequently collaborate with:
Lactation consultants (IBCLCs) for latch evaluation and feeding techniques.
Craniosacral therapists for gentle soft-tissue work.
Pediatricians for ongoing health monitoring.
This team-based approach ensures your baby gets comprehensive care for both comfort and development.
Why Early Care Matters
Feeding challenges can affect more than just nutrition. If left unaddressed, they may lead to:
Difficulty gaining weight.
Reflux or colic-like symptoms.
Oral development or speech issues later in childhood.
Increased stress for both baby and parents.
Early chiropractic care helps create the foundation for healthy feeding, proper development, and strong parent-baby connection.
Conclusion
A baby’s ability to feed comfortably depends on proper movement, alignment, and nerve communication, all things chiropractic care supports naturally.
If your baby struggles with latching or feeding, gentle chiropractic care can make a world of difference for both of you.
📞 Call Third Coast Chiropractic at 231-354-2600 to schedule your baby’s evaluation and help them feed, grow, and thrive.