We’re always delighted to feature a guest blog on the Life Made Simple Physiotherapy website, and this is the first for 2023 (more are very welcome by the way!).
On this occasion, Sally Wade, an experienced Osteopath from Surrey Osteopathic Care, based in Peasmarsh, Guildford, has kindly provided some fascinating insights into why some babies experience issues with breastfeeding and how these may be solved.
Sally’s contact details, and how to make an appointment, can be found at the end of this blog, and we send our thanks to her for valuable thoughts detailed below.
Breastfeeding: why some babies struggle
I have been working as an Osteopath for over 10 years and set up Surrey Osteopathic Care in order to provide the highest standard of osteopathic treatment for Guildford and the surrounding areas.
I have a special interest in the treatment of babies and children and help babies with a wide range of issues such as difficulties with feeding, reflux and colic. It can often feel very isolating when you are struggling with feeding issues but there is so much help available - to find out how Osteopathy can help improve your baby’s latch click here.
How to help your baby latch better
Breastfeeding should be the most natural thing in the world, and for many new mums it is. However, when it isn’t working quite as well as it should, it can be hugely distressing for both the mother and baby. Whilst no-one should feel bad if they find themselves unable to breastfeed their baby, there are plenty of reasons for giving breast feeding your best shot. Understanding why some babies struggle with breast feeding can help to identify possible solutions to the problem.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders are a common factor. These are muscle and joint problems usually resulting from either the birth process or the position of the baby in the uterus during pregnancy (intra-uterine constraint). These very often involve neck and jaw issues, but if a baby is distracted by musculoskeletal pain anywhere in their body, or indeed by a headache, it seems reasonable to assume that this could make feeding more challenging. Typical signs that musculoskeletal issues are a factor in breastfeeding problems include:
the baby pushing off the breast
arching the back when feeding
milk dribbling out of the mouth when at the breast
difficulty in achieving an effective latch, often due to not opening the mouth wide enough
ineffective suckling, often giving the mother sore nipples
distress or discomfort when being positioned for breast feeding.
A study published in the journal Clinical Lactation (2016) asked lactation consultants about their perceptions of musculoskeletal disorders affecting breastfeeding. The most common musculoskeletal issues were identified as congenital torticollis, sometimes known as “wry neck” (25%), and neck tension (14%). The most common latch issues were identified in this study as painful latch (24%), neck problems (18%), non-latching (9%), and tongue-tie (27%).
Looking for clues
So how would you know if your baby had a musculoskeletal problem? In addition to the feeding issues already described, babies with musculoskeletal and structural problems will often feel uncomfortable and may show this in a number of ways including excessive crying, sleep problems, and being generally unsettled. Sometimes there can also be very noticeable functional problems such as discomfort in certain positions and body positioning too.
Observations that parents might make which can indicate a musculoskeletal problem in a baby include:
Erect head control (“military” posture when held upright)
Preference to keep or turn head to one side
Inability to turn head left or right
Uncomfortable in certain positions, e.g. lying on the back or having the nappy changed
Asymmetrical posture, e.g. lying in a curved “banana” shape
Facial asymmetry: crooked smile, uneven eyes, an ear that “sticks out”
Intolerant of the car seat
Fusses or becomes frantic during tummy time
Excessive back and neck arching
Need help? Here are some ways to get breast feeding on track
There are a number of ways that you can get help.
Lactation Counsellors – These are specially trained professionals who can offer advice and support on all aspects of feeding your baby. They can also check your baby for tongue tie if you are concerned that this may be a factor. Your Health Visitor should be able to put you in touch with your local lactation counsellors. The best place to search for a qualified lactation consultant in on the IBCLC website here
Support Groups – It can also be very helpful to join a local group where support is available. Your local NCT and LaLeche League will offer weekly support grounds and there are often breastfeeding support groups at your local children’s centre or hospital.
Cranial Osteopathy – People are often surprised that babies may need physical therapy. There are many reasons why a parent may decide to bring their baby to an Osteopath, and these are typically linked to muscle and joint problems (i.e., “musculoskeletal”), and the effect that these may have on the child’s nervous system.
Muscle, joint and cranial problems can start as a consequence of the positioning of the foetus in the womb (intra-uterine constraint), and through the birth process. Lifestyle factors such as prolonged periods in car seats and lack of tummy time, can also have an impact on the musculoskeletal wellbeing of babies and infants.
Referrals to Surrey Osteopathic Care
At Surrey Osteopathic Care we are often referred babies from midwifes and health visitors. Sally has attended numerous post graduate training courses on paediatric care and is very experienced when it comes to dealing with feeding difficulties. Techniques used to care for babies are always very gentle and are designed to safely and effectively help little people. These include massage and soft tissue techniques, and gentle ways to improve function of the joints (often holding techniques or gentle vibration).
Individual assessment of each child
Every child visiting a Osteopath is individually assessed, and any musculoskeletal or cranial issues addressed, rather than “treating” a specific problem. For a baby brought to the clinic in relation to feeding issues, a visit might typically involve: Checking the around the throat area, jaw, upper neck and back of the skull (which can often be very tender due to the strains of the birth process); checking for tongue tie; releasing the muscles of the tongue; checking muscles that often compensate for other dysfunctions that affect feeding (these are quite diverse and include the muscles at the front of the neck, the diaphragm, and the shoulder girdle); and looking for any other spinal and cranial problems which might be making the baby uncomfortable or unable to relax in the feeding position.
The techniques described above are broadly described as “manual therapy”. In the study published in Clinical Lactation (2016), 91% of the lactation consultants who responded noticed breastfeeding improvement following manual treatment. Osteopathy for babies has been shown to be clinical effective in recent studies - for a more research articles click here
Support and the right care can make a difference!
It is recognised that early and consistent breastfeeding support can often make the difference in a mother and baby’s ability to establish a functional breastfeeding relationship. So, if you are struggling, don’t delay!
If you are experiencing difficulty breastfeeding your baby, seek support from a lactation counsellor, and if you think that musculoskeletal problems may be a factor, consult a skilled practitioner such as an Osteopath, who can offer hands-on care for your baby.
To arrange an appointment for your baby seen by one of our expert Osteopaths book online here: https://www.surreyosteopathiccare.co.uk/book-an-appointment
More detail on the services of Surrey Osteopathic Care can be found here: https://www.surreyosteopathiccare.co.uk/about-us-osteopathy