All mammals are born with the instinct to suckle and feed so why do humans find it so difficult to get feeding established? Often it is the result of our difficult birth journey and our rather oversized head! Tongue tie is now more readily recognised and more practitioners are trained in the procedure to free the tongue. Sometimes, however, this is not the complete story: imagine the jaw is like a child’s swing suspended from ropes just in-front of the ear. In order to milk the nipple correctly the swing needs to be able to move forwards and back. A prolonged labour with extensive cranial compression may have locked the jaw backwards and this needs to be free before proper function can be established.
A difficult labour may have ended in forceps or ventouse. The head is often ‘coned’ for a short while afterwards. The palate may also be relatively raised making it impossible to milk the nipple against the roof of the mouth; baby pulls off tired, angry and frustrated. Alternatively, baby is unable to control a fast let down and pulls off choking and flooded. Techniques to balance the palate are gentle, subtle and effective.
Finally, the front of the throat is also vulnerable. Face presentations or back to back deliveries can put a strain on this area making it tender and baby reluctant to extend his head fully when feeding. This means that the airways are not fully open and baby cannot feed and breath at the same time. He pulls off tired and exhausted before he is satisfied. Gentle release of the facial tension may improve the feeding posture.
If this article has provoked any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Next time, snuffles, sicky eye and glue ear.
neatosteo 