"It Was Just a Latch Issue, Or So I Thought"

How One Mama’s Instinct Led to the Root Cause — and the Relief Her Baby Needed

I’ll never forget the day Sarah walked into our office. She was holding her newborn, Oliver, close to her chest. His face was tense, and hers even more so — the look of a mother who was trying to hold it all together.

“I’ve tried everything,” she said through tears. “Lactation support, repositioning, different pillows, pumping. Nothing’s working. He won’t latch well, he slips off, and I’m in pain every time we feed. I feel like I’m failing him.”

What Sarah didn’t know — what so many parents don’t yet realize — is that latch problems often aren’t about the latch at all.

They’re about the nervous system.

 Feeding Is a Neurological Process, Not Just a Mechanical One

Every time your baby comes to the breast, their brain and body go through a complex process that involves:

• Sensory perception of the breast

• Activation of primitive reflexes (rooting, sucking, swallowing)

• Coordination of breathing, digestion, and muscle tone

• Regulation of cranial and spinal movement

For Oliver, what seemed like a feeding issue was actually his nervous system screaming for help — struggling under the pressure of unprocessed perinatal stress from birth.

What Causes Nervous System Stress in Newborns?

As we began to dive deeper into Oliver’s story, things became clearer.

Oliver had a fast, intense labor. Sarah pushed for nearly three hours, and the birth team used vacuum assistance. On paper, it looked like a normal delivery — but underneath, Oliver’s tiny body had stored layers of stress.

That stress imprinted in his upper neck, cranial bones, and jaw — the exact areas responsible for regulating latch and suck. We call this a subluxation — when tension or misalignment interferes with communication between the brain and body.

And Oliver, like over 90% of babies born today, was showing the classic signs:

• Shallow latch and nipple pain

• Clicking and gasping during feeds

• Fussiness, especially on one side

• Arching, tension, and poor weight gain

These weren’t random symptoms. They were adaptive patterns from a nervous system stuck in “fight or flight.”

What We Did — Nervous System-Based Infant Chiropractic

We started with a gentle neurospinal assessment — no cracking, no popping, just light touch to feel how Oliver’s nervous system was adapting.

And we found exactly what we suspected: stored stress and miscommunication in the upper cervical spine and cranial system — interfering with his ability to regulate, latch, and rest.

Over the next few visits, we used precise, neurologically-focused adjustments to restore balance to Oliver’s nervous system. We worked with his pediatric IBCLC and integrated skin-to-skin, babywearing, and calming tools to support vagal tone and reflex development.

The Change

By the third adjustment, Sarah walked in smiling.

“He latched and stayed on,” she said. “No pain. And for the first time — he looked calm while feeding. Not frantic.”

We both cried.

That moment wasn’t just about feeding. It was about connection. Confidence. Healing. It was Sarah finally feeling in sync with her baby.

And it was Oliver’s nervous system saying:I feel safe now. I can rest. I can grow.

Why Nervous System Care Works

At Flower of Life Chiropractic, we don’t treat symptoms — we honor the design of the body and help remove the interference that blocks its brilliance.

When we support the neurodevelopmental foundations — the brain, spine, and nervous system — babies naturally begin to:

• Coordinate latch and suck reflexes

• Regulate oral muscle tone

• Shift from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest

• Improve digestion, sleep, and emotional regulation

This isn’t just a “chiropractic thing.” It’s a life thing — supporting the building blocks of resilience, growth, and healing from day one.

You Know Your Baby Best

If your baby is struggling to feed, settle, or latch…If something feels “off,” even if no one can name it…If your birth was intense or full of interventions…

Trust your instincts.

You are not crazy. Your baby is not broken.Their nervous system may just need support.

Ready to Begin?

We’d be honored to support your family the way we supported Sarah and Oliver. ✨ Book your baby’s NeuroSpinal Assessment at Flower of Life Chiropractic today.Let’s help your little one feed, grow, and thrive — naturally.