As Vallone and colleagues describe:
“Feeding is one of the most complex physical tasks a newborn must accomplish… It is a fine orchestration of neurology, biomechanics, and behavior.”
Breastfeeding is a beautiful, dynamic relationship between a mother and her baby. While it is often described as natural, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is always easy.
Successful breastfeeding requires an extraordinary amount of coordination between the nervous system, muscles, joints and oral structures, all working together to achieve one essential task: suck, swallow and breathe.
A Little Body Doing a Very Big Job
Consider what is involved in a single feed.
An infant relies on the coordinated activity of multiple cranial nerves, numerous muscles of the face, tongue, jaw and neck, and the developing bones and joints of the skull.
The cranial nerves involved in feeding include the trigeminal (V), facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X), accessory (XI) and hypoglossal (XII) nerves.
These structures must work together with remarkable precision.
And that’s before we even consider positioning, postural control and the baby’s ability to remain comfortable throughout a feed!
It’s Not Just About the Tongue
When assessing a baby who is struggling to breastfeed, we need to look beyond the mouth.
We ask questions such as:
- Can your baby open their mouth wide enough to achieve a deep, comfortable latch, rather than simply feeding on the nipple?
- Can they comfortably turn their head to both sides?
- Is there a preference for feeding on one breast?
- Can the jaw move freely and comfortably?
- Is the tongue moving effectively?
- Can the lips maintain a comfortable seal?
- Is there tension or asymmetry through the neck, jaw or body?
These are all important pieces of the breastfeeding puzzle.
How Does a Baby Actually Get Milk?
During breastfeeding, the baby needs to achieve a deep attachment to the breast, with the tongue, jaw and lips working together.
The tongue shapes and moves around the breast tissue, while coordinated jaw and tongue movements generate changes in pressure that help remove milk.
The baby must simultaneously coordinate swallowing with breathing.
When this system is working effectively, milk transfer is more efficient and feeding is generally more comfortable for both mother and baby.
But what happens when something isn’t moving or coordinating as well as it should?
A baby may struggle to maintain a seal, lose suction or make clicking noises during feeding. Some babies may swallow more air, potentially contributing to discomfort and unsettled behaviour.
Others may compensate by working harder to feed, recruiting additional muscles or tiring before they have taken enough milk.
Feeding should not feel like a constant physical struggle for either member of the breastfeeding pair.
What Are the Signs That Something May Not Be Working Well?
Sometimes the signs are obvious. Other times, they are subtle and easily overlooked.
For Mom:
- Painful breastfeeding or persistent nipple discomfort
- Cracked, damaged or traumatised nipples
- Nipple compression or vasospasm
- Recurrent breast engorgement or inflammation
- Concerns about milk supply
- Repeated blocked or narrowed ducts and mastitis
- Feeling that baby is constantly feeding but never satisfied
- Considering stopping breastfeeding earlier than planned
For Baby:
- Difficulty latching or maintaining a latch
- Clicking, smacking or noisy feeding
- Long, frequent or unusually short feeds
- Falling asleep or tiring quickly at the breast
- Poor weight gain or concerns about milk transfer
- A preference for feeding on one side
- Lip blisters or visible tension around the mouth
- Gumming, chewing or clamping down on the nipple
- Restricted tongue movement
- Excessive air swallowing or discomfort after feeds
- Difficulty turning the head or maintaining a comfortable feeding position
Not every symptom means there is a musculoskeletal problem, but these signs tell us that feeding deserves a closer look.
Where Does Chiropractic Fit In?
This is where a chiropractor with additional training in paediatric care and infant feeding may form part of the support team.
At Chirokids, we don’t simply look at the latch. We look at the baby as a whole.
We assess the musculoskeletal factors that may influence a baby’s comfort, movement and positioning during breastfeeding.
This may include:
- Neck movement restrictions and positional preferences
- Torticollis or asymmetrical neck muscle function
- Jaw mobility and muscular tension
- Cranial asymmetries and head positioning
- Postural preferences, including babies who tend to arch backwards (sometimes described as “banana babies”)
- Overall movement patterns and comfort during handling and feeding
We also consider whether symptoms such as reflux-like behaviour, colic or difficulty passing stools (infant dyschezia) need further assessment or referral.
Importantly, these symptoms can have many different causes and are not necessarily the result of spinal or muscular restrictions.
Supporting the Mother–Baby Team
Breastfeeding is never just about the baby. It is about the mother and baby working together.
As a chiropractor and lactation consultant, I believe in assessing both the feeding relationship and the baby’s physical function.
Sometimes the solution involves improving positioning and attachment. Sometimes it means identifying a feeding or milk-transfer difficulty. Sometimes a baby needs additional assessment from a lactation consultant, paediatrician, speech therapist or another appropriately trained professional.
Gentle, age-appropriate musculoskeletal care may be considered where clinically indicated, alongside evidence-based lactation support. However, chiropractic treatment itself has not been conclusively shown to improve breastfeeding outcomes, and it should not replace a thorough feeding assessment.
Breastfeeding Is Natural, But Struggling Doesn’t Have to Be Your Normal
If breastfeeding is painful, exhausting or simply doesn’t feel right, please don’t feel that you have to push through it.
Early assessment can help identify what is happening and what support you and your baby may need.
At Chirokids, our goal is to support comfortable movement, effective feeding and a happier, more confident breastfeeding journey.
Because feeding is about so much more than milk. It’s about connection, comfort and helping both mom and baby thrive.
Dr Jacqui BungeChiropractor | MSc Applied Paediatric Musculoskeletal Health | Lactation Consultant
Chirokids – Supporting little bodies and growing families.
