Mandibular Asymmetry and Breastfeeding Problems: Experience From 11 Cases

Abstract

The authors review the experiences of 11 mother-infant pairs who had breastfeeding problems related to the infants' mandibular asymmetry. Lower jaw asymmetry is an early identifiable sign of torticollis, and a possible contributor to latch difficulties, nipple pain, and poor milk transfer. Pediatricians and lactation consultants should look for signs of lower jaw asymmetry combined with a preference for turning the head to one side in newborns who present with breastfeeding difficulties. By recognizing these anatomic irregularities early in the course of breastfeeding, pediatric health care providers will be able to treat breastfeeding problems promptly and proactively. They will be able to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for dehydration symptoms or a septic workup and will intervene quickly with the recommendation of breast pumping and complementary feeding if milk transfer is not occurring.

Keywords

torticollis (jaw tilt,asymmetric mandible)intrauterine positioning breastfeeding problems (latch difficulties,sore nipples,milk transfer problems)weight loss

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Jones PG . Torticollis in infancy and childhood. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas; 1968.

Boere-Boonekamp M , van der Linden-Kuiper L . Positional preference: prevalence in infants and follow-up after two years. Pediatrics. 2001;107:3310-3343.

Peitsch W , Keefer C , LaBrie R , Mulliken J . Incidence of cranial asymmetry in healthy newborns. Pediatrics. 2002;110:e72-e72.

Stellwagen L , Hubbard E , Vaux K . Look for the “stuck baby” to identify congenital torticollis. Contemp Pediatr. 2004;21-55.

American Academy of Pediatrics . AAP Task Force on Infant Positioning and SIDS: positioning and SIDS. Pediatrics. 1992;89:1120-1126.

Kane A , Mitchell L , Craven K , et al. Observations on a recent increase in plagiocephaly without synostosis. Pediatrics. 1996;97:877-877.

Rekate H . Occipital plagiocephaly: a critical review of the literature. J Neurosurg. 1998;89:24-30.

American Academy of Pediatrics . Task Force on Infant Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Changing concepts of sudden infant death syndrome: implications for infant sleeping environment and sleep position. Pediatrics. 2000;105:650-656.

Teichgraeber J , Ault J , Baumgartner J , et al. Deformational posterior plagiocephaly: diagnosis and treatment. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial J. 2002;39:582-586.

10.

Kassing D . Breastfeeding and craniosacral therapy: when it can help. Retrieved from www.bfar.org/craniosacral-print.htmlbfar.org

11.

Krause, J . Torticollis and breastfeeding. Retrieved from www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMarApr03p55.htmlResumen