World Breastfeeding Week: Support, Stretch, and Strengthen Your Breastfeeding Journey with Chiropractic Care
Looking for natural breastfeeding support in Springfield, MO? Learn how chiropractic care, simple stretches, and local lactation resources can ease pain, improve baby’s latch, and help you feel supported on your nursing journey.
Every year in the first week of August, we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, a global initiative to raise awareness and offer support for one of the most powerful tools for lifelong health: breastfeeding.
Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, supplementing, or combo-feeding, your journey matters, and we’re here to support you through it. Breastfeeding is a deeply personal and emotional experience, and we believe mamas thrive when they’re seen, heard, and supported.
In this blog, we’re diving into:
- Surprising stats about breastfeeding
- How chiropractic care can support your body while nursing
- The best stretches for breastfeeding moms
- Local breastfeeding resources and support in the Springfield, MO area
Why Breastfeeding Matters
According to the CDC:
- 83.2% of infants in the U.S. start out breastfeeding
- But by 6 months, only 55.8% are still receiving any breast milk
- And only 24.9% are exclusively breastfed at 6 months
That’s a big drop, and it’s not because moms don’t want to breastfeed, but because it’s hard in ways our ancestors could not imagine. From latch struggles and tongue ties to sleep deprivation, physical pain, and most of all, lack of support, many women stop earlier than they intended.
The benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby are well-documented:
Breastfeeding benefits for baby: lower risks of infections, asthma, SIDS, obesity, and even childhood leukemia
Breastfeeding benefits for mom: reduced risk of postpartum depression, breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure
Breastfeeding benefits for both: bonding, emotional regulation, and immune support
How Chiropractic Care for Breastfeeding Moms Improves Comfort and Recovery
You may not think of a chiropractor when you’re having trouble breastfeeding, but spinal and cranial alignment plays a huge role in your body’s ability to feed and recover postpartum.
For Moms:
- Postural strain from feeding positions can cause neck, upper back, and wrist pain
- Hormonal shifts can impact pelvic alignment and nerve signaling
- Chiropractic care can reduce tension, improve alignment, and support your nervous system
For Babies:
- Difficult births, C-sections, or in-utero constraints can cause cranial or cervical misalignments
- These tensions may affect latch, suck reflex, and digestive comfort. Gentle pediatric chiropractic care for latch issues and craniosacral therapy can help relieve these issues, especially after tongue/lip tie revisions.
The Best Stretches for Breastfeeding Moms
Breastfeeding can leave you hunched forward for hours a day. These stretches can help reduce pain and restore mobility in your body during your nursing journey:
Heart Opener at the Wall
Stand facing the corner of a wall with your forearms on each side. Gently lean forward to stretch your chest.
Cat-Cow
On your hands and knees, alternate between arching your back (cat) and dropping your belly while lifting your head (cow) to mobilize your spine.
Upper Trap Release
Sit tall, tilt your head to one side, and gently pull your head with the opposite hand to stretch your neck and traps.
Doorway Pec Stretch
Place your arms at 90 degrees in a doorway and gently step forward to open the chest and shoulders.
Child’s Pose with Shoulder Reach
From a kneeling position, extend your arms forward on the floor and drop your chest toward the ground for upper back and shoulder relief.
Breastfeeding Resources in Springfield, MO
If you live in the 417 area, you’re in luck! Here are a few of our favorite lactation resources to support your breastfeeding journey in Springfield, MO:
- La Leche League of Springfield – Monthly meetings and peer support from other nursing moms
- Doula or IBCLC Services – Ask us for referrals! We collaborate with lactation professionals for integrated care
- Your OB or Midwife – Always a good place to start if you’re experiencing pain, latch issues, or low supply
Q: Can chiropractic care help with breastfeeding pain?
Yes. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can improve posture, relieve upper back and neck tension, and support hormone balance—helping reduce pain during nursing.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe for newborns struggling with latching?
Absolutely. Pediatric chiropractors use extremely gentle techniques that support cranial and spinal alignment, which can improve latch, suck reflex, and feeding comfort.
Q: How can I tell if my baby has tension affecting breastfeeding?
Signs include clicking sounds while nursing, shallow latch, poor weight gain, or preference for one breast. These may indicate oral tension or cranial misalignment.
Schedule Postpartum Chiropractic Care in Springfield, MO: You Deserve Support while Breastfeeding
If you’re a breastfeeding mom, no matter how long you nurse or how your journey looks, you’re doing amazing work. You don’t have to push through the pain, exhaustion, or overwhelm alone.
We’d love to support you with gentle adjustments, personalized care, and guidance to help your body heal and thrive in motherhood.
Ready to schedule? Call or text us at 417-344-1544 or book online at Bloom Well Family Wellness!
