Dr Cynthia Collins

Breastfeeding is often associated with being an integral part of both a new mother’s psych and also a new baby’s life. And whilst this is a truly beautiful and natural part of the new born experience, the realities of the possible challenges can often be overlooked in our education classes and view of early parenthood. This can lead to stress, not only on the baby, but also ongoing mental stresses on both parents contributing to feelings of inadequacy, fatigue and at times failure. The reality is, breastfeeding can be tricky! There are very normal physiological and neurological reasons behind this. The World Health Organisation recommends that infants are exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months of life. However, if the infant is apparently not attaching properly, not getting enough milk or if the mother is unable to meet the supply and demand of the baby, breastfeeding is often considered doomed from the start. Mothers often feel like they should persist but don’t know how to get the results needed for it to be a viable sole feeding option. Other times mothers stop as they think that there is something very wrong with either themselves or their baby as this process should be “easy” as it is natural. Either way there is often large amounts of unspoken stress related to breastfeeding. The truth is that there are often real physiological and neurological reasons why breastfeeding can be tricky. Luckily these issues are often able to be helped and changed to allow for better and correct breastfeeding to occur. 

So here are some very real physiological and neurological reasons why breastfeeding can be tricky! 

1. Injury during labour (due to manipulation/traction/intervention either manually or with forceps or vacuum) 

1. Premature placental separation/cord entanglement etc. 

1. Congenital deformities such as tongue tied, cleft palate, high palatal arch etc. 

1. A genetic condition such as Pierre Robin or Down Syndrome  

1. Invasive procedures to clear meconium, or inserts of an airway which could result in oral aversion 

1. Pharmacological suppression by drugs administered to mother during childbirth 

1. A foetus may also create a neurological in-print in the uterus by sucking his or her own thumb, fist etc. creating nipple confusion 

1. Any number of delays of in putting the baby to breast post delivery such as the mother being anesthetised or unresponsive, surgical delays or procedures with either the mother or baby 

1. The introduction of plastic nipples or formula supplementation due to necessary mismanagement which may interfere with the mother and baby getting off to a good start 

These reasons occur often and are neither the mother or baby’s fault. The important thing to remember is, give it time for both you and your baby to get to know each other and your patterns. Talk to other mums past and present who have breast fed or tried. Reach out to health practitioners such as chiropractors, lactation consultants, Australian Breastfeeding Association, midwives, GP’s or paediatricians to make sure you are getting the medical support and information you need. Subluxations (nerve interference) of the neck and skull are one of the most important conditions to rule out when addressing difficulties with breastfeeding. Chiropractic adjustments in the early stages of life can safely and effectively help address dysfunction and help restore efficient suckling patterns for infants. 

If you have any questions about  breastfeeding, pregnancy or your health please feel free to contact us at Rainbow Chiropractic on (03) 5282 1200 or info@rainbowchiropractic.com.au.