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Updated: May 1, 2026

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
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Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling

Published on: February 5, 2019

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Integrating Osteopathic Care Into Treatment of the Breastfeeding Dyad: Anatomic and Physiologic Considerations

Eileen Conaway1, A Hope Tobey2, Alice I Chen3

  • 1Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Buies Creek, NC, USA.

Journal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association
|April 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Osteopathic physicians (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or DOs) offer osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to enhance breastfeeding. OMT addresses infant issues like latch problems and parent concerns such as mastitis, supporting the breastfeeding dyad.

Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Osteopathic Medicine

Background:

  • Breastfeeding dyad care requires a multidisciplinary team.
  • Osteopathic physicians (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or DOs) are an underutilized resource.
  • DOs possess expertise in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a form of manual medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To educate on OMT's role in breastfeeding care.
  • To highlight the unique contributions of DOs to the breastfeeding dyad.
  • To explore OMT applications for both infants and breastfeeding parents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on OMT for breastfeeding dyads.
  • Discussion of OMT techniques and applications.
  • Synthesis of evidence supporting OMT in this population.

Main Results:

  • OMT can address infant issues: latch challenges, tongue dysfunction, torticollis, plagiocephaly, colic, and reflux.
  • OMT can manage parental issues: engorgement, low milk supply, mastitis, and pain.
  • Evidence supporting OMT in breastfeeding dyads is growing.

Conclusions:

  • DOs can uniquely contribute to breastfeeding dyad care through OMT.
  • OMT offers a valuable manual medicine approach to optimize breastfeeding.
  • Further research and integration of DOs in lactation care are warranted.

Keywords:
BreastfeedingBreastfeeding assessmentBreastfeeding difficultiesManual MedicineOsteopathic ManipulationOsteopathic Manipulative TherapyOsteopathic Manipulative Treatment

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