Even big babies need help

Weight seems to be the #1 focus for infant care in the US. If baby isn’t gaining enough frequently parents are told to add in some formula. When baby is gaining well, nothing else matters.

Last month I had a client who’s baby is gaining well, was born at 40%, regained to birth weight at 4 days, and kept gaining well. By 2 months old baby was at 85% and “doing great” according to the Pediatrician. However, parent reported baby was fussy, gassy, colicky, spit up at least once after every feed, didn’t like to be set down, nursed very frequently but for short amounts of time. The parent felt exhausted and frustrated, like something must be wrong. Her baby cried so much, spit up constantly, and never seemed comfortable. But when she pointed all this out to the Pediatrician, she was told “Babies cry, don’t worry it’ll go away by 4 months. Your baby is gaining weight great, see you at the 4 month check up”. Parent felt dismissed, not heard and so very frustrated and tired.

Thankfully, this parent kept searching for help and working together we did a full assessment. This included baby’s oral anatomy and functional feeding and oral assessment. We identified that baby had both tongue and lip ties, saw the issues in the functional assessment and optimized breastfeeding as much as possible with some latching and position changes. Then I worked with the family on oral function, body tension, reflux support supply, latch and much more in preparation for release. This baby had skilled bodywork and was improving even before release.

Now, a few weeks post frenectomy baby is thriving. Weight gain hasn’t changed (that wasn’t a goal here), but baby is so much more comfortable. Reflux symptoms are gone, and weaning off reflux support. Baby isn’t “colicky” or fussy, they are happy and calm. The parent reports having less stress and enjoying this time with her baby more.

Weight should not be the only factor in determining health and wellness. This baby was gaining great, but so uncomfortable. Now baby is thriving.