Struggling with Breastfeeding? How Bodywork Can Help You & Your Baby
Bodywork for Breastfeeding: How It Supports Babies and Moms
Breastfeeding is more than just milk supply—it’s about how well a baby can move, latch, and feed comfortably, as well as how a mother’s body adjusts to the physical demands of nursing. When things feel off, whether it’s a painful latch, a fussy baby, or tension in a mother’s body, bodywork can be an essential tool for restoring balance and making feeding easier.
The term bodywork might sound broad, but it simply refers to hands-on therapies that support alignment, movement, and function. These therapies, including chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, osteopathic manipulations, and physical therapy, are commonly used to help both babies and parents with feeding-related challenges. While bodywork is not always necessary, it can be incredibly helpful for families struggling with tension, discomfort, or inefficient feeding patterns.
Let’s explore how bodywork supports breastfeeding, when it might be helpful, and what to look for in a provider.
How Bodywork Supports Breastfeeding Babies
Breastfeeding is an active process that requires a baby to coordinate their mouth, tongue, jaw, and body movements to effectively latch and remove milk. When a baby struggles with this, feeding can become exhausting—for both the baby and the breastfeeding parent.
Tension in a baby’s body, often caused by birth trauma, a long labor, a C-section, or interventions like forceps or vacuum delivery, can impact their ability to move freely and latch deeply. Some babies strongly favor turning their head to one side, which can make nursing on one breast more difficult or lead to a shallow latch. Others may have tightness in the jaw or neck, making it harder to open their mouth wide enough for a proper latch. Babies with tongue or lip ties may also develop compensation patterns that persist even after a release procedure.
Bodywork, particularly craniosacral therapy and gentle chiropractic adjustments, can help release these restrictions. Studies have shown that manual therapies can improve feeding function in infants by relieving tension and allowing for better mobility of the jaw and neck (Hawk et al., 2018). Parents often notice their baby latching more easily, feeding more efficiently, and appearing calmer and more comfortable after just a few sessions.
How Bodywork Helps Breastfeeding Moms
Breastfeeding doesn’t just affect the baby—it takes a toll on the mother’s body too. Many moms experience neck, shoulder, and back pain from the constant cycle of holding, feeding, and carrying their baby. Poor posture while nursing, combined with the lingering effects of pregnancy and birth, can create ongoing discomfort.
Pelvic misalignment, often a result of pregnancy and delivery, can contribute to lower back pain and make it harder to find a comfortable nursing position. Additionally, some moms experience issues like clogged ducts or mastitis, which can be exacerbated by inflammation and poor lymphatic drainage. Bodywork techniques that focus on alignment, circulation, and muscle tension release can help relieve these discomforts and support overall recovery.
When a mother feels better physically, breastfeeding becomes easier, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.
Does Every Baby (or Mom) Need Bodywork?
Not every breastfeeding journey requires bodywork, but it can be a game-changer for families who are struggling. If a baby is latching poorly, nursing in frustration, or showing clear tension in their body, addressing these issues with bodywork can make a significant difference. Similarly, if a mother is experiencing persistent pain from feeding postures or lingering discomfort from pregnancy and birth, bodywork may offer relief.
Because every baby and mom has a unique feeding journey, it’s important to assess the individual needs of each family. If feeding feels harder than it should, an IBCLC can help determine whether bodywork could be a helpful next step.
Finding the Right Provider
Not all bodywork practitioners specialize in breastfeeding-related concerns, so it’s essential to find someone trained in infant and postpartum care. A good starting point is asking for recommendations from an IBCLC, midwife, chiropractor, or pediatrician who is familiar with bodywork’s role in supporting breastfeeding families.
If you’re unsure whether bodywork is the right step for you or your baby, I’d love to help guide you in the right direction.
💛 Book a lactation consult today—virtual and in-person options available! We’ll assess feeding challenges, tension, and any concerns you have, and if needed, I can help you find a trusted bodywork provider.
You Deserve to Feel Good in Your Body
Breastfeeding is meant to be a time of connection, not struggle. If feeding feels difficult, painful, or exhausting, know that you don’t have to push through discomfort alone. Bodywork is one of many tools that can make feeding and postpartum recovery smoother, easier, and more comfortable.
Your body and your baby’s body are designed to work together beautifully. And if things feel out of balance, there are always ways to help bring you both back to a place of comfort and ease. 💛