Mothers and Babies Work Together — You Need Bodywork Too!

When a baby struggles to breastfeed, the focus often turns to the infant—and rightly so. Issues like latch difficulty, poor milk transfer, or fussiness at the breast are often signs that baby may need help. But what’s often overlooked is that feeding is a two-person dance, and mothers’ bodies and nervous systems are just as involved.

At Wisco Integrative Therapies, we believe that the most effective approach to breastfeeding challenges is a dyadic one—supporting both mom and baby as a connected unit. That's why we offer craniosacral therapy, Feldenkrais therapy, and other integrative bodywork services that address the needs of both, together.

The Mother-Baby Connection: It’s Not Just Hormonal

From the moment of birth, mother and baby are deeply intertwined—physically, emotionally, and neurologically. When a baby has tension, oral motor challenges, or difficulty regulating, it doesn’t just affect how they feed—it affects how you feel too.

And if you’ve had a tough labor, a cesarean birth, birth trauma, or are carrying stress or pain in your own body, that also shows up in feeding. The body holds stories of pregnancy and birth in ways we may not even realize.

That’s where bodywork for both mom and baby comes in.

Why Babies Need Bodywork

Babies often benefit from bodywork such as craniosacral therapy (CST) or gentle movement work like Feldenkrais because:

• The birth process can create tension patterns in the head, neck, or body

• Restrictions from oral ties (tongue/lip ties) can affect feeding and comfort

• A baby may prefer one side (favoring turning their head one way), leading to an uneven latch

• Overstimulation, colic, or nervous system dysregulation can make feeding difficult

• Subtle asymmetries in the mouth or skull can interfere with sucking and latching

  
  

Craniosacral therapy and Feldenkrais work gently to release restrictions, improve nervous system regulation, and support optimal function—often improving latch, ease at the breast, and even sleep and digestion.

Why Moms Need Bodywork, Too

Mothers often carry tension, exhaustion, and trauma in their bodies—especially postpartum. Whether from a long labor, epidural, cesarean birth, or just the physical and emotional demands of caring for a newborn, your body remembers.

Issues like:

• Neck, shoulder, or back pain from nursing positions

• Pelvic tension or unresolved birth trauma

• Postural imbalances from carrying and feeding baby

• Emotional overwhelm or nervous system burnout

• Difficulty relaxing during feeding or sleep

…can all affect your ability to be present, to bond, and to nurse comfortably.

Feldenkrais therapy for moms helps restore ease of movement, body awareness, and nervous system regulation. Craniosacral therapy can release deep tension patterns and promote physical and emotional healing.

When you feel more grounded, comfortable, and connected in your own body, it creates a calm, safe space for your baby to do the same. You regulate each other.

The Power of Treating the Dyad

Feeding is not just about mechanics—it’s about connection, safety, and communication. Treating mother and baby as a unit allows for more sustainable, holistic change.

By supporting both:

• We can uncover hidden causes of feeding challenges more effectively

• Your baby learns new patterns faster when your body is also relaxed and responsive

• You gain tools and awareness that support long-term wellness for both of you

• Feeding becomes less of a struggle and more of a shared, joyful experience

  
  

Wisco Integrative Therapies Can Help

At Wisco Integrative Therapies, we’re passionate about supporting both mothers and babies with compassionate, skilled care. Our therapists are trained in craniosacral therapy, Feldenkrais therapy, and other gentle bodywork modalities that help regulate, release, and restore comfort and function—for the whole feeding relationship.

👉 Whether you’re struggling with latch issues, pain, or just want a more easeful postpartum experience, book an appointment today in our Milwaukee or Mequon offices.We’re here to help you both heal—together.

Book Now!