Breastfeeding difficulties: what osteopathy can change
A painful latch, a baby who slips off the breast, sucking that tires quickly — some breastfeeding difficulties have a mechanical side.
Breastfeeding that will not settle is exhausting, and often carries a heavy load of guilt. Not every difficulty is osteopathic — but some have a mechanical cause that a careful examination can identify.
Signs that point to a mechanical restriction
- Your baby takes the breast, then lets go, or slips off after a few sucks
- A clicking sound during feeding, or milk escaping at the corner of the mouth
- Feeding hurts, with cracked nipples or a nipple that comes out misshapen
- Your baby tires quickly and falls asleep without having fed properly
- They turn their head far more easily to one side, and refuse that breast
That last point is telling: a baby who cannot comfortably turn their head one way will struggle with the breast on that side, whatever position you try.
What I look at
Sucking involves the jaw, the tongue, the palate, the base of the skull and the whole neck. Tension built up during pregnancy or birth — a long presentation, instrumental delivery, cord around the neck, a very fast labour — can restrict any one of them.
I assess how the neck and jaw move, how the skull sits, how supple the diaphragm is, and I watch a feed whenever that is possible. The treatment that follows uses light pressure and slow movement, usually with your baby in your arms.
Tongue-tie is a medical question
A restrictive tongue-tie can limit the movements sucking requires. Diagnosing it and dividing it are medical acts: they belong to a doctor, paediatrician, ENT specialist, midwife or dentist — never to an osteopath.
Osteopathy has its place around that procedure: before, to release the associated tension; afterwards, to help your baby learn a tongue movement that has just become possible.
It takes a team
Osteopathy replaces neither your midwife, nor a lactation consultant (IBCLC), nor paediatric follow-up. Breastfeeding usually gets moving again when everyone contributes what they know: positioning and feeding management on one side, mobility on the other.
Trained as a breastfeeding facilitator at the École du bien naître, I am happy to work alongside the professionals already caring for you.
See a doctor without delay if
- Your baby is losing weight, or has not regained their birth weight
- There are fewer wet nappies than usual, or your baby seems unusually floppy
- They refuse to feed, have a fever, or their behaviour changes suddenly
- You have breast pain with a fever — mastitis needs medical treatment
This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation. For advice on your own situation, book an appointment.