In our newborn work we found that about 1/2 of the 800 babies had TMJ problems. Most of the time one jaw joint was strained and presented clinically in the form of nursing issues. Usually the baby nursed better on the breast that favored the normal TMJ. Because of the abnormal nursing physiology, we found that moms also had a greater possibility of breast/nipple trauma and eventual pain with nursing. We believe that TMJ/nursing problems should be identified with the BBS and corrected immediately at birth with CFT/IDM so that normal nursing can begin as soon as possible. We believe that every lactation consultant needs to be able to do the work for followup care.
