Chiroblog

Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural phenomena between a mother and her child. As ICPA director Dr. Jeane Ohm states “Significant research shows that from a nutritional, immunological, digestive, neurological, developmental, mental, psychological and emotional standpoint, there is no replacement”. The physical latch of the baby onto the mother’s breast itself is natural and incredible. Yet just because something is simple, natural, and beautiful does not mean problems don’t arise. Occasionally there can be issues with nursing and latching that can be due to a wide variety of factors. Without a proper latch, the baby will not be able to get the milk he or she needs, which can lead to not enough weight gain. An improper latch can also create cracked and painful nipples for the mother, which perpetuates the cycle of poor milk supply and malnutrition. This post aims to hit some of the most common problems we hear about with nursing/latching in our office. If you are someone who is having some of these issues or issues that are not discussed in this post, know that it is important to consult with your doctor or lactation consultant.

Fussy Baby - There can be a variety of reasons a baby is fussy. A baby’s only way of audible communication with the world is to fuss and cry. This can indicate tiredness, hunger, or overstimulated among other things.

Sleepy Baby - It is common for newborns to spend their time sleeping when they aren’t feeding. If your baby doesn’t wake to feed, try waking him/her every 2 to three hours by talking, changing their diaper, or holding him/her in a different position. Try massaging your breast gently, known as hand expressing, and the baby will most likely wake up and swallow. Also try gently stroking under the baby’s chin.

Tongue Tie-  Latest research has shown that up to 10% of children born today have tongue tie, or an extra thick piece of flesh under the tongue called the frenulum.  This thickened frenulum presents extra challenges in getting the child to latch properly since they cannot get their tongue fully out of their mouths.  This in turn affects the newborn’s cranial and upper neck so chiropractic and cranial adjustments can be beneficial for the baby.    

Flat/Inverted Nipples - If the baby is unable to get the entire nipple and areola in their mouth it can be difficult to form the suction to draw milk out of the breast. Some babies do not have a problem with inverted nipples, while to others it can present a problem. You can try breast pumping for a few minutes before nursing to draw out and lengthen your nipple, or talk to your doctor about a nipple shield.

Painful Breast- If a clogged duct persists or there is a damaged nipple or mastitis (breast inflammation), there can be redness and swelling in an area around the nipple. There are a number of home remedies for mastitis including placing cleaned dry cabbage leaves around your breast during the day, massaging, gentle heat, and boosting your immune system with chiropractic adjustments and/or vitamin C to help fight the inflammation. If the problem lasts for more than 24 hours, or you develop a fever, then consult your doctor or midwife.

Spitting Up after Feeding - Most babies spit up after feeding, and might be a sign that they slightly over ate or had gas during their feed. There is a difference between a “happy spitter” and an “unhappy spitter”. If your baby spits up once or twice and remains happy, doesn’t seem distressed and continues to gain weight then they are a “happy spitter”. If the baby seems distressed or extra fussy, or does not continuously gain weight or loses weight, or projectile spits then they would be an “unhappy spitter”. This might be reflux and often indicates they might benefit from chiropractic care as well as a change in their diet.

Nursing can be wonderful and it is not always easy. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask questions if anything comes up or you would like to learn more about your nursing experience with your child. It is a learning process for both mother and baby. Many latching problems can be resolved with a few simple adjustments, but should anything persist make sure to reach your doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant. With some help, you can turn your breastfeeding challenges into a breastfeeding success.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25381293

http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/chiropractic-resolves-breastfeeding-difficulties-in-infant.html

http://bit.ly/2pKjD2t

http://bit.ly/2ym6qkn 

The causes of subluxation have been described as the three T’s ever since 1910 when D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, identified them as thoughts, traumas and toxins. As the world around us changes it seems we have a new T to be introduced into the mix, technology.

It is easy for people to grasp the concept of how physical traumas can cause subluxations, or misalignments in the spine. Forceful injuries or falls and car accidents are obviously traumatic to the body, though we can also suffer from micro traumas due to common behaviors we do on a day-to-day basis. Such micro traumas can include: poor posture, carrying a heavy backpack/purse, wearing high heels, repetitive motions for work or sports, and poor sleeping positions. Trauma is the most well known cause of subluxation in today’s society. However, it is much more than that, which is where the other T’s come into play.

Toxins may not be as obvious of a cause as a direct trauma, but can have just as many consequences in disrupting the communication in your nervous system. Our bodies can become imbalanced through toxins found in what we eat or drink as well as toxins present in our environment. Some examples of these toxins are: GMO/processed foods, chemical cleaning agents, air pollution, food sensitivities/allergens, vaccines and other medications.

The third T, thoughts, tends to be the most overlooked cause of subluxation, but can be one of the biggest contributors. Stressful situations trigger a chemical imbalance in our bodies, blood pressure and heart rate increase, leading to muscle tension. Lack of recovery from this imbalance can disrupt every system of the body. Whether we are aware of the stress or not, it will still have a negative effect on our overall wellbeing. This is why it is important to take time to decompress throughout the day, stay active and focus on your breath.

Now, for the newest of the T’s…In the last 10 years we have really seen an evolution in technology. There are many benefits to this in society, however it has also led to a lot of problems with the generations that are now constantly on their phones or computers. As chiropractors we are seeing more forward head posture than ever before, it has even coined the name “tech neck.” Studies have revealed that American mobile phone users look down at phones an average of 2.7 hours a day, which can cause neck strain over long periods of time. An adult human head weighs about 10 pounds when looking straight ahead, but that weight multiplies to up to 50-60 pounds of weight on the neck when hunched over due to the effect of gravity. Some helpful tips to avoid this fourth T from causing havoc to your nervous system include:

1. Raise your screen higher so that it is eye level
2. Take breaks often and/or set a time limit for how long you will use your devices
3. Sit in a chair with a headrest so you can maintain good posture
4. Strengthen and stretch your muscles
5. Get checked by your chiropractor to remove any nerve interference

Resources:

http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Chiropractic/thoughts-trauma-and-toxins-three-causes-of-subluxation.html

https://www.spine-health.com/blog/5-tips-prevent-tech-neck-pain

Cuellar JM, Lanman TH. “Text neck”: an epidemic of the modern era of cell phones? Spine J. 2017. 17(6):901-2.