Resolution of Breastfeeding Difficulties and Weight Gain for Infant Following Chiropractic

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a case study on June 1, 2021, documenting the improvement under chiropractic care of an infant who was having breastfeeding difficulties and was not gaining weight.

The benefits of breastfeeding have been well documented. The study begins by pointing out the importance of breastfeeding, "Significant health benefits are not only afforded to the infant but also to their mothers in a dose-response manner." When there is a breastfeeding problem, the authors point out, "Breastfeeding difficulties includes a wide range of different biological, psychological, and social factors. For the infant, breastfeeding difficulties is associated with failure to thrive."

In this case, the parents of a nine-day-old infant girl brought their daughter in to the chiropractor to see if they could get help with their baby's breastfeeding problems. The infant was born via cesarean delivery after a failed and traumatic attempt at natural childbirth. The mother and infant had to remain in the hospital for several days because the infant's suffered a weight loss of 11% from her initial baseline weight. A lactation specialist was consulted and described the infant's latch pattern as disorganized.

A chiropractic examination appropriate for the infant's age and size was performed. With the consent of the girl's mother, specific chiropractic adjustments were then initiated. Immediately following the infant's first chiropractic adjustments, the mother was asked to attempt to breastfeed her daughter. The breastfeeding was successful as the infant was able to latch on properly and the mother did not experience any pain that she was having on prior attempts to breastfeed.

Over the next few weeks, the infant was given chiropractic adjustments. Each time, it was noted that breastfeeding became more comfortable. Subsequently, the girl began to latch more efficiently, and she gained weight according to her parents.

The study also recorded the benefits the girl's mother received by her baby getting chiropractic. "Both parents expressed emotional relief with the reduction of pain for the mother while breastfeeding. The mother was especially relieved that she could heal from the Caesarean surgery without needing to focus on more pain while breastfeeding."

In their conclusion the authors wrote, "The chiropractic care of an infant with breastfeeding difficulties was described with successful outcomes. We support documentation of the benefits of chiropractic care in similar patients to inform clinical care and research."