Why Hundreds of Mama’s are Successful at Initiating Breastfeeding
If you’ve been around for a while, you know we talk about the not-so-obvious perks to being under regular chiropractic care. One not-so-obvious benefit of getting adjusted during your pregnancy might have to do with your functioning during the postpartum period. As mamas return for their first examination after having their sweet baby, we ask them a series of questions about how their birth went, what were baby’s stats, and postpartum events such as when their milk came in. Specifically, we ask “when did your milk come in” — here’s the reasoning behind it:
As a naturally curious practice, especially when it comes to chiropractic care, we wondered if consistent care during your pregnancy has any long-term effect on your neurological functioning. Milk production and the initiation of lactation is largely controlled by a cascade of several events: postpartum hormones, the delivery of the placenta, and contact with your baby. Ultimately, with the nervous system being the director of the show. What’s the bodily system that chiropractors directly work with besides the skeletal system? The nervous system!
According to Kellymom.com, your milk transitions from colostrum to milk anywhere from 2-5 days. Certain events like undergoing a cesarean section, experiencing a traumatic birth, or receiving IV fluids during labor can contribute to the delay in the onset of milk production.
We asked our patients “how many days elapsed before your milk came in?” — and you may be surprised at the response. The majority of our patients responded with 2: two days after delivery their milk transitioned from colostrum to milk. Which is remarkable, because the majority of our mamas are on the lower end of the average mentioned by Kellymom.com.
Now, I’m not saying that getting adjusted during your pregnancy is a sure-fire way to ensure you have a successful nursing relationship with your new baby. Babies aren’t born having read the “So You’re A Nursling: Guide to Successful Breastfeeding” manual. But what I am saying is that getting adjusted long-term before you have a nursling, chances are your physiology will be better off to be successful at what it does best.
If there IS an issue with the nursing relationship — latching issues, a mama experiencing chapped or cracked nipples, fussy baby while at the breast, structural issues like a lip or tongue tie — pediatric chiropractors are trained to properly assess and correct these issues. Often moms see improvement within 2 weeks, or 3-5 visits, after initiating care for their newborn.
When your body is functioning at physiologically normal and your pelvis is in alignment, baby has the ability to move where there is room. We find that mamas who are adjusted during pregnancy experience shorter, more comfortable births. And if you do happen to experience any nursing issues in your motherhood journey, you know who to call.