As prenatal and pediatric chiropractors, we are pleased to join hands with people across the globe in celebrating #WorldBreastFeedingWeek2023
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide.
Annually, WABA coordinates and organizes the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) between Aug 1-7.
Facts from the World Health Organization Website:
Optimal breastfeeding is vital to the lifelong good health and wellbeing of women and children.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that has not improved in 2 decades.
Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses
Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life.
Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend:
Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.
Continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond, with introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months.
How can Chiropractic Support Breastfeeding?
The term pediatric dysphagia which means "disrupted suckling, feeding, and swallowing from birth" is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder that may have long lasting effects on a child's growth and development. Some research has even suggested that the presence of dysphagia at birth has been linked to diagnosis of ADHD and Autism later in life.
Since every mammal must eat to survive, there is built in programming to the mammalian brain to ensure the necessary sucking, feeding, swallowing (SFS) behaviours occur. This mechanism begins in utero and has been identified as early as the first trimester in research studies.
The human body relies on input from 5 different cranial nerves in order to coordinate Sucking, Feeding & Swallowing. As more pregnancies are affected by maternal stress and more births experience medical intervention (forceps, vaccuum & c-section) & birth trauma (long labour, tearing & poor baby position), we have seen a dramatic increase in the interference and stress on these nerves in babies presenting to chiropractors with breastfeeding difficulties.
At Advanced Vitality, our Chiropractic Doctors use a Neurofunctional Approach which means we always assess these cranial nerves and use the innovative INSiGHT Health Scanning Technology to measure and pinpoint the exact areas where this interference has set up shop. This allows us to show you exactly why your baby is struggling and create a specific and unique care plan to safely and gently remove the stress and interference. When the interference is gone, the nerve flow is restored and the body is able to restore proper Sucking, Feeding and Swallowing biomechanics.
We have seen dramatic improvements in a short period of pediatric chiropractic care with so many infants struggling with breastfeeding. That is why we are so committed to helping educate more moms, parents and allied health professionals about safe & natural options to assist with breastfeeding, especially in the first 3 months of a child's life. One of those providers is Registered Nurse and Mama Coach, Sarah Carvajal. Read our 1-on-1 interview discussing breastfeeding and helpful tips and tricks every new mom needs to have a successful breastfeeding journey!
Because we know the immense benefits of breastfeeding, we are so pleased to be a supporter of WABA and the World Breast Feeding Week initiatives.
If you are a mama or you know a mama who is struggling with breastfeeding and looking for more answers and hope, please share this article with them and invite them to connect with our helpful and friendly team! We can't wait to meet you!