The Unseen Struggle: How Myofascial Cranial Release Can Help Infants with Latching Issues

It’s one of the most natural things in the world—nursing your baby. And yet, for so many new mothers and their infants, it doesn’t feel natural at all. There’s the frantic rooting, the crying, the shallow latching that leaves baby frustrated and mom sore. The bottles of pumped milk. The guilt. The second-guessing.

You’re doing everything right—and still, it feels like something’s not working. In many cases, it’s not about technique. It’s not about trying harder.

It’s about tension. More specifically, it’s about fascial and cranial tension that your baby is carrying—often from birth.

The Journey of Birth and the Tension It Leaves Behind

Birth is miraculous. But it’s also intense. Even the most peaceful deliveries still involve enormous pressure and compression on the baby’s head and body as they pass through the birth canal. This compression can cause subtle, or sometimes not-so-subtle, shifts in the cranial bones, tension in the fascia, and restrictions in the muscles that control the jaw, tongue, neck, and even the airway. For a newborn learning to eat, those restrictions are everything.

They impact how the tongue moves, how wide the jaw opens, how the baby breathes while feeding, and how well they can create that all-important suction. Sometimes, it looks like:

• Shallow latching

• Falling asleep quickly at the breast

• Clicking sounds while nursing

• Excessive gassiness or reflux

• Preference for one side over the other

• A generally fussy baby

And sometimes, it’s just a mom’s deep, quiet sense that something’s not right—even when others say, "they’ll grow out of it."

What is Myofascial Cranial Release?

It’s a gentle, hands-on technique that focuses on releasing restrictions in the fascia (the body’s connective tissue) and supporting proper alignment of the cranial bones and surrounding muscles. In newborns, the fascia is soft, responsive, and deeply connected to their nervous system. When we work with it in a precise and thoughtful way, we can help their body unwind the tension patterns that are getting in the way of function—especially during feeding.

I use light, purposeful touch to assess and release the subtle tensions around the head, jaw, neck, shoulders, and tongue base. The goal isn’t to "fix" your baby. It’s to restore the balance their body already knows how to find when it’s given the chance.

What Parents Have Noticed

I’ve worked with many infants—some just days old—who’ve had noticeable improvements in latching after just one or two sessions. Parents often report:

• A stronger, deeper latch

• Less gassiness and fewer spit-ups

• A more relaxed baby during and after feeding

• Better sleep

• A calmer overall demeanor

But the most powerful thing I see is confidence returning to the parent. That soft sigh of relief. That look of "Okay… I think we’re going to be alright." It’s not just about feeding. It’s about connection. It’s about bonding. It’s about giving your baby the freedom to eat, breathe, and grow without restriction—and giving you the peace of mind that comes with it.

You Are Not Alone

If you’ve been struggling with latching issues, please know this: it is not your fault, and you are not failing.

You and your baby may just need a little help releasing what’s stuck. You deserve support. Your baby deserves ease. And you both deserve to enjoy these precious early moments, free of the tension that has no business being there.

Want to learn more? I offer a free 15-minute consult to answer your questions and help you know what to expect. Or, if you’re ready to begin your baby’s healing journey, you can book your first visit here.

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Let’s bring the ease back to feeding—and the joy back to these early days!