A baby’s ability to suck and remove milk may be affected in different ways. Premature, labor and delivery medications and conditions such as Down syndrome may initially make it difficult for a baby’s central nervous system to remain alert or coordinate suck-swallow-breathe actions.
Acute health conditions, such as jaundice or infection and chronic conditions, such as cardiac defects may also influence a baby’s level of alertness or the ability to suck.
A mechanical issue, such as tongue-tie or a cleft lip or cleft palate might directly interfere with a baby’s ability to use the structures in the mouth for effective sucking. (source)
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BABY ISN’T BREASTFEEDING
Even though it’s hard, try not to worry. Stress can reduce the supply of breast milk. Here are some ideas to help remedy the issue:
Breastfeed your child in a quiet, dark area away from distractions.
Consult your doctor, a breastfeeding specialist, or a breastfeeding group in your local area for help and support. Bring your baby to the doctor to check for any health problems.
Hand express your breast milk or pump to maintain your milk supply. Give your baby your expressed breast milk or infant formula in a bottle while continuing to offer your breast.
Make sure your newborn is latching on to your breast the right way. Try to use a different breastfeeding position.
Offer the breast frequently but don’t force your child to breastfeed. If breastfeeding becomes a negative experience for your baby, it may be harder to bring him or her back to the breast.
Try cup feeding, finger feeding, or a nursing supplementer device (supplemental nursing system) to provide your child with breast milk if you don’t want to use a bottle. Or, formula feed while you’re working on getting your child back to the breast.(source)
HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE IN DENVER CO HELP?
Chiropractors believe body work can be effective in treating any of the following breastfeeding difficulties:
Problems with latching, including nipple pain
Babies who have difficulty coordinating their suck-swallow-breathe – these babies tend to be very slow feeders and don’t gain well
Fussiness in certain breastfeeding positions and relative comfort in others
Frequent feedings and seeming to always be hungry, especially if accompanied by poor weight gain
Problems feeding from a bottle as well as at the breast
Baby is just fussy or colicky and seems uncomfortable
A chiropractic adjustment on an infant is incredibly gentle! A pediatric chiropractor will only use the amount of pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato to gently adjust the area of the spine that needs correction.(source)
Dr. Mooberry has worked with babies helping them to feed better. He is a licensed Denver chiropractor and here to help your family. Complementary phone consultations are available.