Twists, tension, tilts and tightness – troublesome things for breastfeeding babies.

Sore nipples, mis-shapen nipples, unsettled babies, babies wanting to feed very frequently but for short periods, babies slipping around on the breast, babies with sticky eyes and furrowed brows, babies holding an arm across their chests (and making attachment harder), one-sided feeding, babies who resist tipping their heads back, babies who won’t attach at all – these are disheartening and bewildering situations for mum and often intensely frustrating for baby.

When meeting these breastfeeding couples, I ask about the birth and the history of the feeding, but I’m also observing the baby intently. If I see a baby with a preference for one sided feeding or who I learn from mother always turns her head one way; or if I’m told it was a breech pregnancy or the cord was round baby’s neck; or if baby got stuck being born and had to have instruments to help her out, or if baby is clearly looking at me with a distinct tilt – I’m usually on the way to discovering what’s interfering with straightforward breastfeeding. Babies are hard-wired to breastfeed and if they can’t then we have to try to find out what’s getting in the way. Lactation detective work!

These twists, tension, tilts and tightness make it much harder for a baby not only to position herself well but also to grasp and hold the breast well in her mouth. Think of yourself with a stiff neck  - you’ll turn your head very gingerly to that side and avoid doing it unless you really have to. Babies do want to feed and must feed – but if it’s a major effort, then they’ll do it for just as long as they absolutely have to before taking a break. However, they’ll need to go back again before long – and now the unhappy cycle of frequent and sore feeding can start up, a disheartening experience for both mother and infant.

The iimportant thing in these situations, as in all breastfeeding situations which aren’t going smoothly, is for the baby to be sufficiently fed, for the mother to protect her milk production by expressing if necessary and for baby to stay very close to mother so that all are comforted and soothed during a challenging time. Creative working with different positions can be tried out to work with what’s most comfortable for baby and mum. In the meantime, the baby’s temporary musculo-skeletal tightnesses can be addressed with gentle stretches, side to side rolling, tummy time, assisted head turning, circular massages of the cheeks, mouth and jaw line – which parents themselves can do with their babies – or with the additional help of a baby physiotherapist or other professional manual practitioner who may be able to gently ease out the baby’s stiffness with delicate manipulations.

Breastfeeding difficulties in the early weeks can be very stressful for new parents. Lots of encouragement that what’s needed is time to resolve the situation – and that they’ll be in a different and better place before long – can make all the difference to a mother who can’t see a way ahead in the midst of her challenges. Encouragement and support is something that all of us in the breastfeeding field can offer  Soon enough, with some help and time, those bodily twists, tilts and tension shoild be troublesome no more.