This document summarizes research on the benefits of breastfeeding and how chiropractic care can help with breastfeeding problems. It notes that labor and delivery can cause spinal and jaw misalignments in infants making breastfeeding difficult. Studies found that chiropractic adjustments to correct these issues helped 78% of infants with feeding problems to exclusively breastfeed, with most seeing improvement after 2-5 treatments. The document encourages expecting or new parents to see a chiropractor for potential benefits to delivery and breastfeeding success.

1. Chiropractic for
Breastfeeding Problems
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

2. Benefits of Breastfeeding
Benefits of breastfeeding for mother and
baby are numerous:
For baby:
 Reduces the incidence and severity of a
wide range of diseases
 Reduces SIDS risk
 Associated with higher IQs in first grade
For mother:
 Decreases bleeding after birth
 Speeds return to pre-birth weight
 Decreases risk of breast and ovarian
cancer
 Reduces the effects osteoporosis
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

3. Breastfeeding and
Joint Misalignment
Many nursing difficulties are not
maternal problems --
but a problem with the baby.
Many newborns have challenges
latching or suckling effectively.
These difficulties may stem from labor
and delivery trauma, which results in:
 Misalignments in spine of
the child’s neck
 Misalignments in the jaw
(temporomandibular joint or TMJ)
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

4. Labor, Delivery, & Vertebral
Subluxations
Labor and delivery may cause vertebral subluxations.
• A traumatic birth or a C section may increase
the risk of this condition.
• Vertebral subluxations are linked with
breastfeeding problems.
• Vertebral subluxations can also lead to a
misaligned jaw – which can lead to
breastfeeding problems.
Areas in the spine
where vertebrae are
slightly out of place
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

5. Chiropractic Care for Infants
Chiropractors use gentle maneuvers
called chiropractic adjustments to
correct vertebral subluxations and TMJ
misalignment,
which, in turn, may resolve
breastfeeding issues.
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

6. New Research on Chiropractic
and Breastfeeding Problems
A 2009 study looked at:
114 newborns diagnosed
with feeding problems
Researchers found many
had:
 vertebral subluxations in
the spine of their neck
 temporomandibular
joint imbalance
 inadequate suck reflex
All received
chiropractic care
78%
All showed some
improvement
were able to
exclusively
breastfeed after 2
to 5 treatments
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

7. Past Studies on Chiropractic &
Breastfeeding Problems
A 1999 study looked at:
An infant unable to
breastfeed properly
with excessive regurgitation
and fussiness
After 2 weeks of
chiropractic care the regurgitation
and fussiness
ceased, and the
child was sleeping
better
After 9.5
months No return
of
symptoms
and
An infant unable to
suckle effectively
since birth
Suckled
immediately
After one
adjustment
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

8. Past Studies on Chiropractic &
Breastfeeding Problems
A 1993 study looked at:
1,000 newborns
treated by
chiropractors for
failure and/or
difficulty with
breastfeeding
The babies
received
chiropractic
adjustments
99% had
excellent
results
In 80%
birth-induced
temporomandibular joint
dysfunction was the cause
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

9. Don’t Wait Until Your Baby Arrives
to Schedule an Appointment
If you have a new baby, or are
expecting one soon, schedule a visit
to our office.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy
can help make delivery easier, by
ensuring that the mother’s hip joints
are in alignment.
Once your baby arrives, chiropractic
care can help your baby breastfeed
successfully.
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing

10. Pick Up a Copy of the
Chiropractic for
Breastfeeding Problems OHU
 For more on this topic, please pick up a copy of the
corresponding OHU handout.
 Look to the OHU for citations to research on this topic.
 Share the OHU handout with friends, family, co-
workers, etc. Just let us know how many you need.
© Copyright, 2009, PreventiCare® Publishing