Your newborn won’t latch. Maybe she arches away mid-feed or keeps her head turned toward the same shoulder no matter how you reposition her. When feeding is difficult, parents naturally want to understand what might be going on.
A recent retrospective study in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic looked at the records of 145 infants under 12 months old who presented for chiropractic care. The findings offer an interesting look at the concerns commonly seen among these infants.
What the Research Found
Breastfeeding difficulty was the most common presenting complaint, reported in nearly 78% of the infant records reviewed. Torticollis appeared in more than 56%, while posterior tongue-tie was documented in about 54%. Gassiness, plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), and infantile colic were also reported.
Researchers also found recurring physical examination findings involving the neck, jaw, and head, including tight neck muscles, head tilt or rotation, TMJ (jaw joint) dysfunction, and cranial asymmetry.
Looking at Birth History
The researchers noted that the infants’ histories commonly included factors such as prolonged labor, extended pushing, Pitocin use, epidural anesthesia, malpresentation, and malposition.
That doesn’t mean these birth experiences necessarily caused an infant’s feeding difficulty or other concerns. Because this was a retrospective review of infants already presenting for chiropractic care, the study can identify patterns but cannot establish cause and effect or determine whether chiropractic care improved these conditions.
A Closer Look at Your Baby
Dr. Ken Freedman has provided chiropractic care to infants and children in East Brunswick, NJ, for more than 47 years.
“When I evaluate an infant, I pay close attention to the alignment of the spine, particularly the neck. I also check the alignment of the jaw and surrounding areas. Those details provide insight into how nerves are carrying energy that controls all of the baby’s functions, including how their muscles work, digestion, ability to feed, and thrive. When nerve irritations are detected and corrected, a baby’s body works better and many conditions that affect babies resolve without medical interventions. Parents love that this is a natural approach that involves no drugs, physical therapy, or surgery.” — Ken Freedman, D.C.
When parents bring in a baby with concerns such as torticollis or feeding difficulties, the goal is to identify chiropractic findings that may be present and determine whether care may be appropriate.
If your infant consistently turns their head one way, seems uncomfortable in certain positions, or is having difficulty feeding, consider scheduling an evaluation with Dr. Ken Freedman at Freedman Chiropractic in East Brunswick, N.J. to learn whether chiropractic care should be included in your baby’s pediatric wellness regimen.