Birth Stress, Feeding Difficulties and the Infant Spine

The birth process can place considerable physical stress on a newborn's developing body, particularly the neck, head and jaw. Research published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic on July 1, 2026, examined the records of 145 infants from birth through 12 months of age who were brought to a chiropractic office for care. The researchers looked for patterns involving pregnancy and delivery, the babies' health concerns, and findings during their chiropractic examinations.

The babies were quite young, averaging just over two months old, and many were brought to the chiropractor for more than one concern. Breastfeeding difficulty was by far the most common problem, affecting nearly 78% of the infants. Other frequent concerns included torticollis, or a persistent turning or tilting of the head, in about 57%; a diagnosis of posterior tongue-tie in about 54%; gassiness in 37%; flattening or asymmetry of the head in 28%; and colic in 26%. Reflux, difficulty with tummy time and bowel problems were also reported.

When researchers examined the babies' birth histories, they found that many had experienced potentially stressful labor and delivery circumstances. About 72% of the mothers reported prolonged labor, and roughly two-thirds pushed for more than 45 minutes. More than half reported receiving Pitocin for either induction or augmentation of labor, and more than half received an epidural. Abnormal positioning of the baby before or during delivery was also common, while some deliveries involved Cesarean section, vacuum extraction or forceps.

The physical examinations revealed another striking pattern. Every infant was found to have increased muscle tension in the cervical spine, while nearly 99% had swelling around cervical joints and about 89% demonstrated a head tilt or rotation. Nearly 79% showed facial wincing during spinal examination, approximately two-thirds had restriction involving muscles important for swallowing and jaw movement, and more than half showed dysfunction involving the jaw joint. Cranial asymmetry was also identified in nearly 45% of the infants.

These findings are important because successful breastfeeding requires remarkable coordination between the baby's neck, jaw, tongue, swallowing muscles and nervous system. The researchers discussed how stress or subluxation involving the upper neck, skull and jaw could potentially interfere with an infant's ability to comfortably turn the head, open the mouth, latch effectively and coordinate sucking and swallowing. The same types of physical restrictions may also help explain why breastfeeding difficulties were frequently seen alongside torticollis and head asymmetry in this group of babies.

This research was a review of infants already brought for chiropractic care and did not include a comparison group. What it does show is a strong pattern connecting birth-related stresses, common infant complaints and physical findings involving the neck, head and jaw. The researchers concluded that chiropractors caring for infants should carefully evaluate this entire area for subluxation and functional restrictions, especially when parents are struggling with breastfeeding, torticollis, head asymmetry or other early infant challenges.