• Drobbin D
• Stallman J

• Breast Feeding
• Female
• Infant
• Pediatric Chiropractic
• Vertebral Subluxation Complex

Objective: The correction of a vertebral subluxation and resolution of latching and breastfeeding difficulty through chiropractic evaluation and low force adjustment is described.

Clinical Feature: A four-week-old female infant was brought in for chiropractic care by her mother.  The mother was concerned that the infant was unable to effectively latch onto her left breast when held in the traditional cradle position or any other position.

Intervention and Outcome: Following a specific adjustment to the upper cervical spine and temporomandibular joint there was increased right rotation of the infant’s head and a decrease in left head tilt.  Post palpation showed a decrease in hypertonicity of the right TMJ related musculature and the left cervical region.  Breastfeeding was attempted immediately after the adjustment with success and no further issues remained.

Conclusion: The use of subluxation based chiropractic care showed positive results as described in the resolution of latching and breastfeeding issue in a four-week old infant.  More research is warranted to fully understand the implications of early birth trauma and impaired function or dysfunction in breastfeeding. Craniocervical subluxation and temporomandiblular imbalances are conditions to rule out when managing an infant with nursing dysfunction and inability to properly latch.  

Author Keywords: Pediatric, breastfeeding dysfunction, latching, chiropractic, vertebral subluxation, adjustment

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