As Certified Breastfeeding Counselors, it is important we understand how to support clients. It is our role to support them in initiating breastfeeding and navigate common breastfeeding challenges. At times, some challenges go beyond our scope. As a CBC, understanding the benefits of bodywork and breastfeeding can be important.
The body is connected. When there are issues elsewhere, it can impact latch, suction, and thus milk transfer. For some babies, bodywork seems to improve breastfeeding.
If our clients have ruled out underlying medical issues, sometimes, the benefits of bodywork and breastfeeding can help.
What is Bodywork?
The benefits of bodywork and breastfeeding can vary based on what your definition of bodywork is. For many people bodywork used in infancy often means a variety of things including:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Massage
- Craniosacral Therapy or Craniosacral Fascial Therapy
- Chiropractic care
In general, bodywork means therapeutic methods which center the body for the promotion of overall health and wellness.
As the body is all truly connected, tension, misalignments, pain, and discomfort, etc., can all impact how a baby is latching. When all of baby’s body is working and feeling better, breastfeeding may be easier.
Why Might A Baby Benefit From Bodywork?
Pregnancy, birth, and adjusting to live outside means their little bodies go through quite a bit. It can be common for some babies to experience tension and discomfort after birth. When latching, feeding, etc., having tension and discomfort can impact feeding.
Unlike older infants, children, and adults, babies are quite flexible with little muscle control. This means sitting in a car seat, laying in a swing, etc., can also impact tension. While many babies can thrive without bodywork, most babies can still benefit. And a few babies might really need the extra support of bodywork.
Babies who experience a difficult birth such as prolonged time in the birth canal or birth via c-section, might really benefit from bodywork. Babies who spend time in the NICU will often need less than optimal positioning due to wires, breathing support, etc. Most NICUs utilize physical and occupational therapists to aid in health positioning.
Different types of bodywork address different things. For infants with tension and discomfort, massage can be beneficial. For infants with lower muscle tone, premature, etc., physical therapy can be important to develop strength and muscle control.
As certified breastfeeding counselors, it is not for us to determine what, if any, body work each baby could benefit from. We can educate parents about options in the community so they can pursue professional evaluations.
How is Bodywork and Breastfeeding Connected?
The body is connected. In many ways this seems quite obvious. However, in other ways, it can be surprising how tension in one part of the body can impact an entire other part of the body.
For a baby with less head and neck control, a poor latch might be fixed with better positioning and support in the short term. For long term improvement, bodywork to promote improving head and neck control can help.
A baby dealing with hip dysplasia, low muscle tone, hypertonicity, etc., could be experiencing discomfort. Working with that discomfort can help them overall, which can help improve feeding.
For any baby, it is helpful to remember that the uterus is a tight space and the journey through birth a difficult one. It can be helpful for most babies to have some bodywork done whether professionally or with the parents. Bodywork and breastfeeding can go hand in hand as a comfortable and well developing baby is likely to feed better.
Parent Guided Bodywork and Breastfeeding
As mentioned above, it is not our role to determine what bodywork a baby might benefit from. We can refer them to physical therapists, chiropractors, CFT/CST practitioners, etc.
However, we can also guide them to resources for parent guided bodywork. Even in the absence of needing professional support, there are things parents can do at home to support every baby.
One thing which is beneficial for relaxation, bonding, etc., is general infant massage. Parents can learn this via videos, online courses, or in-person classes.
It is also important for parents to practice tummy time. This is vital for a baby’s overall development which in turn can aid in healthy feeding skills.
Rhythmic exercises such as bicycling and tummy massage can help with gas. Other types of rhythmic exercises can aid in loosening, symmetry, etc., which can aid in feeding.
Parents can find lots of resources on Lactation Solutions of Princeton website.
Remember, we may not be able to assess which services, exercises, etc., are best for each client and their baby. However, we can play a huge role in their care by helping them learn about their options and resources within their communities.