Chiropractic care can benefit moms in many ways. From improving posture to assisting with digestion, keeping proper alignment will carry over to other health care concerns. We reached out to Joseph Merckling, DC for some advisement for nursing moms. Check out the great information he shared with us.
What's the biggest chiropractic concern for a new mom who is nursing?
Breastfeeding for new mothers can seem overwhelming especially when there are so many things that can affect the positive outcomes of breastfeeding. Proper latching and positioning of both mother and infant are essential to the positive nursing experience. Improper latching and positioning can result in inefficient nursing resulting in infant irritability and more frequent and longer nursing sessions. Improper latching also attributes to nipple soreness and postural fatigue on the mother.
What chiropractic concerns for her infant should a mom consider when beginning breastfeeding?
Rooting and Suckling are inborn primitive reflexes which are controlled by the central nervous system. These reflexes are essential to a proper latch and successful nursing session. Studies have suggested that abnormalities in the cervical spine (neck) and TMJ (Jaw) may influence the ability of an infant to suckle successfully. These biomechanical abnormalities can be resultant from many things that the infant is subjected to during and after birth. Normal vaginal/caesarian delivery, birth trauma, poor sleep postures and improper positioning/motion during holding/nursing can all cause biomechanical changes in the cervical spine and TMJ.
What can you share with us about chiropractic care for the nursing baby?
Chiropractic care can help with these specific types of biomechanical changes in the infant with intervention via soft tissue work, spinal adjustments, and cranial therapy which may have a direct result in improving the infant's ability to suckle efficiently. Chiropractic treatment for infants is gentle safe and effective and can help with these types biomechanical problems related to nursing.
What are some common complaints you see from nursing moms?
One of the most common complaints related to breastfeeding with mothers is the postural fatigue that is experienced. This will affect both the mother and infant and result in problems with latching, feeding time and feeding frequency. Proper positioning and comfort of both the mother and baby during breastfeeding will ensure a more successful and effective nursing session. Biomechanical and postural problems which cause pain and discomfort for the mother during nursing will negatively impact the nursing experience for both mother and infant. Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce these biomechanical and postural concerns with the use of physical therapy /soft tissue techniques and spinal adjustments. This results in reduced pain and discomfort during nursing which will enhance the quality of the nursing sessions and remove negative impacts from postural discomfort. Initial to a proper latch and successful nursing session. Studies have suggested that abnormalities in the cervical spine (neck) and TMJ (Jaw) may influence the ability of an infant to suckle successfully. These biomechanical abnormalities can be resultant from many things that the infant is subjected to during and after birth. Normal vaginal/caesarian delivery, birth trauma, poor sleep postures and improper positioning/motion during holding/nursing can all cause biomechanical changes in the cervical spine and TMJ.
How can chiropractic care help with these concerns?
Chiropractic care can help with these specific types of biomechanical changes in the infant with intervention via soft tissue work, spinal adjustments, and cranial therapy which may have a direct result in improving the infant's ability to suckle efficiently. Chiropractic treatment for infants is gentle safe and effective and can help with these types biomechanical problems related to nursing.
Dr. Merckling has a private family chiropractic practice in Bellport, NY. He is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and is certified in the Webster Technique for evaluation and management of pregnant women.
