How Chiropractic Care Helps Babies with Breastfeeding

By Dr. Angela Gabel, Dc

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and nurturing things a mother can do — but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. Many new moms are surprised to find that breastfeeding can come with challenges, especially when their baby struggles to latch, nurse efficiently, or stay comfortable during feeding. One powerful — yet often overlooked — solution is pediatric chiropractic care.

At Gabel Chiropractic, we support moms and babies through every stage of early life, including the breastfeeding journey. Let’s explore how chiropractic care can make a big difference for both mom and baby.

🤱 Why Breastfeeding Challenges Happen

Feeding issues can stem from a variety of causes, but one of the most common and least recognized is tension or misalignment in your baby’s spine and cranium — especially in the upper neck and jaw areas.

Here are some signs your baby may benefit from chiropractic care:

• Difficulty latching or staying latched

• Clicking sounds during nursing

• Preference for one breast or turning head one direction

• Fussiness or arching during feedings

• Gassy, colicky behavior after nursing

• Poor weight gain

Many of these symptoms can be tied back to birth trauma, especially in cases of prolonged labor, use of forceps/vacuum, or cesarean section. Even "easy" births can cause subtle misalignments in the baby’s neck or skull, affecting their ability to coordinate the complex act of feeding.

💆‍♀️ What Chiropractic Does

A gentle and specific chiropractic adjustment for an infant is vastly different from an adult adjustment. Using soft fingertip pressure, we assess and adjust areas of restriction in the spine and cranial bones to help restore normal nerve function and mobility.

When the upper cervical spine (C1–C2), jaw (TMJ), or cranial bones like the occiput or temporal bones are misaligned or restricted, it can affect:

• Latch strength

• Sucking reflex

• Swallow coordination

• Comfort in various nursing positions

Once these areas are balanced, many moms report immediate improvements in latch, suction, and baby’s comfort — making feeding a more peaceful experience for everyone.

👶 Chiropractic + Lactation Support = A Dream Team

We love working alongside lactation consultants, birth care providers, and pediatricians to give your baby the best possible support. Chiropractic care doesn’t replace these resources — it enhances them. By addressing the structural and neurological factors that affect feeding, we help the baby function better, so that other tools and techniques can work more effectively.

💗 Helping Both Mom & Baby Thrive

When your baby can nurse comfortably and effectively, they’re not just getting better nourishment — they’re also bonding more easily with you. And for a tired new mama, that can mean less stress, less pain, and more confidence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with breastfeeding, chiropractic care might be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Ready to get support? Schedule an infant assessment today and let’s help your baby feel better, feed better, and grow better. 💕

📍 Gabel Chiropractic | Clinton, Iowa

🌐 www.gabelchiropractic.com