How Infant Chiropractic Care Can Support Breastfeeding in North Burnaby
- Taylor Austin
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
Breastfeeding is often described as natural yet for many families, it can feel anything but easy. If feeding has been painful, stressful, or exhausting, you’re not alone.
As a North Burnaby chiropractor offering infant chiropractic care and breastfeeding support, I work with babies and parents who are looking for gentle, whole-body care that supports comfort, movement, and nervous system regulation. Rather than focusing on one symptom, infant chiropractic care looks at how the head, neck, jaw, and nervous system work together to support effective feeding and overall development.
Why Structure Matters For Breastfeeding
A foundational principal in chiropractic care is that structure influences function.
How a baby’s head, neck, jaw, tongue, and nervous system move together plays an important role in how effectively they can breastfeed. Over the past decade, there has been a significant rise in tongue-tie diagnoses and surgical releases. While some tongue ties are genetic, many feeding challenges are also influenced by tension patterns, restricted movement, and nervous system imbalance - not just the frenulum itself.
This is where infant chiropractic care can be a valuable part of a collaborative breastfeeding support plan. Download PDF here to learn a gentle, whole-body guide for breastfeeding.
The Essentials For Effective Breastfeeding
A Wide, Comfortable Latch
Your baby needs to open their mouth wide enough to take in most of the areola, not just the nipple.
When mouth opening is limited, feeding may be:
Painful for the parent
Inefficient for milk transfer
Associated with nipple cracking or damage
Jaw mobility, head position, and neck comfort all influence how wide and comfortable a latch can be.
Proper Tongue Function
During breastfeeding, the tongue plays a key role by:
Lifting to the roof of the mouth (palate)
Creating a seal
Coordinating rhythmic movement to transfer milk
If the tongue cannot move freely or coordinate well, babies may fatigue quickly, feed frequently, or struggle to maintain suction - even when a tongue tie has already been ruled out or released.
Free Head and Neck Movement
Babies need to turn their head easily and evenly to both sides to nurse comfortably from either breast.
Restricted neck motion may contribute to:
Breast preference
Shallow latch on one side
Increased tension through the jaw and tongue
Gentle infant chiropractic care focuses on supporting balanced motion through the neck and spine.
The Nervous System's Role in Feeding
Hypoglossal Nerve (Cranial Nerve XII)
This nerve controls tongue movement and travels through the upper neck near the occiput and first cervical vertebra (atlas). Tension or positional strain in this area may influence how efficiently the tongue functions during feeding.
Vagus Nerve & Digestive Comfort
The vagus nerve plays a major role in digestion, regulation, and calm states. When the nervous system is under stress, babies may experience:
Colic-like symptoms
Reflux or indigestion
Difficulty settling or sleeping
This is why feeding challenges are often connected to broader signs of discomfort.
Palate Development & Cranial Motion in Infants
In infancy, certain cranial joints remain naturally mobile. Tension patterns affecting the head and neck may influence:
Palate shape
Tongue space
Overall feeding comfort
Supporting balanced cranial and spinal motion may help create more ease for feeding and development.
Tethered Oral Tissues: Not Always Just a Tongue Tie
Not all feeding challenges stem from a true tongue tie. There are several possibilities:
Genetic (Ankyloglossia) – a true anatomical shortening of the frenulum
Neuro-Biomechanical – tension or imbalance affecting muscles and nerves
A Combination of Both
Neuro-biomechanical restrictions are often mistaken for genetic tongue ties, which is why a whole-body assessment can be helpful when exploring feeding concerns.
How Infant Chiropractic Care Supports Breastfeeding
As a North Burnaby chiropractor, my approach to infant chiropractic care is gentle, specific, and adapted to your baby’s size and developmental stage.
Infant chiropractic care focuses on:
Supporting healthy movement in the spine and head
Reducing tension patterns
Supporting nervous system regulation
Care may be used:
Before a tongue-tie release
After a release to support healing
As part of conservative breastfeeding support
Families often report improvements in feeding comfort, latch ease, digestion, and overall calm. Care is always collaborative, and referrals to lactation consultants or other healthcare providers are made when appropriate.
Breastfeeding Support for Families in North Burnaby
Feeding challenges can feel emotional and overwhelming. My goal is to support both baby and parent, creating a calmer, more comfortable feeding experience.
Some families seek short-term support during feeding challenges, while others choose ongoing infant wellness visits (often 1–2 times per month) to support growth, regulation, and development.
Care is always individualized - there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Is Infant Chiropractic Care Right for Your Baby?
If your baby is experiencing:
Painful or shallow latch
Feeding fatigue
Breast preference
Reflux, colic, or visible tension
A gentle assessment may help determine whether infant chiropractic care and breastfeeding support could be helpful.
Book an infant chiropractic assessment or contact us to learn more.
More about our new patient process here.
Located in North Burnaby at New Heights Massage Therapy
Families from North Burnaby, Brentwood, Capitol Hill, Willingdon Heights, and surrounding areas regularly seek infant chiropractic care for breastfeeding support and nervous system regulation.
References
Geddes, D. T., et al. Tongue movement and intra-oral vacuum in breastfeeding infants. Early Human Development.
Hazelbaker, A. Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (ATLFF).
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #11
Gerner, L. Breastfeeding Made Simpler. The Good Life Institute
FAQ Section
Can infant chiropractic care help with breastfeeding?
Infant chiropractic care may support breastfeeding by improving comfort, mobility, and nervous system regulation. Gentle care can help address tension in the neck, jaw, and spine that may impact latch, tongue movement, and feeding ease.
Is infant chiropractic care safe for newborns?
Yes. Infant chiropractic care uses very gentle, specific techniques appropriate for a baby’s developing nervous system and spine. Care is adapted to your baby’s size, age, and comfort.
Do I still need a lactation consultant if I see a chiropractor?
Often, chiropractic care works best as part of a collaborative approach. Many families choose to work with both a lactation consultant and an infant chiropractor to support feeding from multiple angles.
Can chiropractic care help after a tongue-tie release?
Yes. Many families seek infant chiropractic care before and after a tongue-tie release to support healing, reduce compensatory tension, and improve overall feeding outcomes.
How soon should I bring my baby in for breastfeeding support?
Babies can be assessed at any age. Early support may help reduce stress for both baby and parent and support more comfortable feeding patterns.
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