Your baby has difficulty latching on to the breast.
Mothers and midwives know how important it is that babies latch onto the breast well enough to get the milk to flow. It is important to make sure that the baby is in the best position and that the mother is comfortable, but if all that is in place and the baby is still struggling then something else is going on.
Sometimes a baby just experiences more pressure during the birth than they can adjust afterwards. It may be the bones of the head have been pushed together causing the palette to be in such a position that the gag reflex is close to the front of the baby’s mouth.
It is not helpful to try and force the breast into the baby’s mouth in these circumstances as this will cause the baby to choke and will make him understandably frightened of feeding.
Craniosacral Therapy is very effective in changing this, especially if it is possible to treat the baby within the first few weeks or ideally the first few days after the birth.
Your baby makes a lot of slurpy or clicking noises during feeds.
This is a sign that the baby is not getting a good suction on the breast. The baby will be taking in a lot of air which will then cause discomfort in the belly.
It can be caused by the joint at the jaw being uncomfortable from the birth or the muscles and bones in the neck being pulled out of place as the shoulders are delivered. (This may look likes tongue tie, but it can be resolved during Craniosacral treatment.)
Your baby has a lot of wind after feeding.
Burping a baby is a traditional part of feeding, but if your baby suffers from a lot of wind or is unable to burp, or is still uncomfortable afterwards it may be that the vagus nerve is under pressure where it comes out of the skull. Supporting the bones of the skull to complete the unfolding process they go through after the birth helps realign the holes in the skull through which the nerves go to the rest of the body.
Breastfeeding is uncomfortable or painful for the mother.
I find it very sad that so many women suffer pain when breastfeeding their babies. And I am filled with admiration that they continue despite the soreness.
Mostly, if I can treat the baby within a few days of birth, this situation changes in one treatment as the baby is helped to reshape her mouth and is able to take enough of the breast into her mouth to avoid “nipple nipping”. Older babies have to be “retrained” to learn how to suckle properly and it takes a bit longer to turn things around.
Your baby is in pain after feeding, cries or curls up in discomfort.
If a baby’s pelvis was twisted during the birth or he was put on his back too soon before he could uncurl himself from the position he was in in the womb he may be left with a painful back.
(None of these strains are huge, it only takes a little too much pressure or twist during the birth to make it hard for the baby to reorganise his body afterwards.)
Your baby can take one breast but is uncomfortable on the other one. May need the “rugby hold” on one side.
Babies often suffer from a stiff or sore neck after birth, making it difficult to turn one way. They are so relieved when this can be made more comfortable.
Baby is unable to sleep or restless when sleeping.
This can be from shock after the birth. The baby may have been separated from the mother during the first hour after being born, or gone through a long or difficult birth. Sometimes the mother will be shocked or upset and this too makes it hard for the baby to relax.
Baby seems tense and restless, it is difficult to cuddle her/him.
Again this can be from shock as well as discomfort. Craniosacral Therapy is a very good way of treating shock.
Baby vomits or brings up some of the feed.
Vomiting in babies is so common it is called normal, but we don’t as adults expect to bring up some of every meal we eat.
Pressure on the vagus nerve, twists in the pelvis and residual shock in the baby’s body can all contribute to this. As can antibiotics and other drugs given during birth.
It seems to me it is worth trying a couple of Craniosacral Therapy sessions before embarking on an elimination diet for the mother if that is possible. Life is hard enough without having to go without all your favourite foods.
I am not saying that cutting out certain foods may not be helpful, but a baby with a comfortable digestive system can cope with a lot more food types than one who is struggling with internal discomforts.
Baby finds it harder to turn his or her head one way.
If you notice that your baby lies with his head facing the same way all the time, or can only turn to one side or take one breast, or only lifts and waves one arm, she may need some help to undo the twists in her body or she may have a sore neck.
Related Posts
