"Can craniosacral therapy help my baby latch better?" Meaghan Beames, CST discusses how CST can improve breastfeeding for babies & mom
- jaimiezaki
- May 30
- 6 min read
Infant Craniosacral Therapy Is a Game-Changer for Breastfeeding Moms & Babies: A Conversation with Meaghan Beames, CST
As a lactation consultant, I’m always looking for holistic, supportive tools to help families thrive during those early months of breastfeeding. Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Meaghan Beames, a registered massage therapist and expert in infant craniosacral therapy (CST), about how this gentle bodywork can make a powerful difference in baby’s feeding journey—and why it’s often overlooked.
Meaghan’s passion for infant CST comes from a deep love of babies and a personal journey that led her to specialize in this unique therapy. She works with infants, children, and even pregnant and postpartum moms, helping release tension patterns that can interfere with feeding, sleep, and overall development.
What Is Craniosacral Therapy (CST), and Why Should Breastfeeding Moms Care?
You might wonder, “What exactly is CST, and how is it different from other bodywork therapies?” Meaghan clarified this beautifully: CST is a gentle, hands-on therapy that encourages the body to release protective tension through subtle touch. It’s not about force or quick fixes but about creating a safe, nurturing space for the baby’s nervous system to reset and balance.
It’s important to note that CST isn’t a standalone magic bullet—it’s a foundational tool. Think of it as a clean slate that supports other therapies and exercises your baby might need later. The accessibility of CST is a bonus, as many healthcare providers can incorporate it into their practice, making it easier for parents to find support nearby.
Spotting the Signs: When Might Your Baby Benefit from Bodywork?
One of the most common questions I hear is, “How do I know if my baby needs this?” Meaghan shared some red flags that might indicate your little one could benefit from CST:
Favoring turning their head to one side or crawling unevenly
Difficulty latching, especially with a forceful letdown
Arching their back during feeds
Eyes that wander or don’t track well past the newborn phase
Torticollis
An unusual C or Banana Shaped body
Preferring to feed better on one breast over the other
Even small, persistent “little things” that don’t seem to add up can signal underlying tension patterns. What’s key here is trusting your observation—if something feels off, it’s worth exploring.
Common vs. Optimal: Why Normal Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy
A lot of parents tell me their babies feed “fine” or “well enough,” and they wonder if bodywork is really necessary. Meaghan made an important point: just because certain challenges are common, doesn’t mean they’re optimal. Babies enter the world having endured various stresses—like tight positioning in utero or the birth process itself—that can leave lingering tension.
CST encourages a gentle release of this tension by creating a sense of safety for the baby’s nervous system. Over time, this can support improved feeding, better reflex integration, and even more restful sleep.
Addressing Fears: Is Craniosacral Therapy Safe and Effective?
I totally get it—parents often hesitate because CST seems so gentle, some even worry it might not be effective, or worse, could harm their baby. Meaghan reassured that when done by a trained practitioner, CST is very safe. The gentle nature means it’s unlikely to cause harm, and if there’s no immediate change, that’s just the body’s pace of healing showing up.
The important takeaway? Always vet your practitioner carefully and seek recommendations from trusted sources.
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CST vs. CFT: What’s the Difference?
Parents might also hear about craniosacral fascial therapy (CFT), which can be confusing. Meaghan explained that while she hasn’t trained in CFT, it’s quite similar to CST. The main difference seems to be focus: CFT emphasizes fascia and fluid movement, while CST takes a more holistic and intuitive approach, following the baby’s responses. Both are gentle, safe, and can support infants in complementary ways.
Why Crying During CST Isn’t a Red Flag
One of the most beautiful things Meaghan shared was her approach to crying during therapy. She distinguishes between a “fear cry,” which signals distress, and an “emotional release cry,” which is part of the healing process. Her priority is always creating a safe environment—if a baby seems scared, she gently pauses, never pushing through discomfort.
I love this baby-led approach because it honors the baby’s experience and builds trust between the practitioner, baby, and parents.
How CST Supports Oral Motor Function and Feeding Success
For many breastfeeding moms, tongue-tie or feeding difficulties can feel overwhelming. Meaghan emphasized how CST can improve oral motor function by releasing tension around cranial bones and nerves, which are crucial for tongue movement and reflexes.
Even when there isn’t a visible tongue-tie, tension can cause cranial nerve dysfunction that affects feeding. By opening nerve pathways, CST lays the groundwork for better oral stimulation and motor exercises to work effectively.
The Vital Connection Between Reflexes and Feeding
Babies are born with reflexes designed to support feeding, like the rooting and sucking reflex. When these reflexes don’t fire properly due to tension or nerve compression, feeding struggles can emerge. Meaghan and I agree that CST is a powerful way to address these root causes by releasing restrictions in the palate or cranial bones.
Why Bodywork Should Come Before Tongue-Tie Release
Here’s a big one I want every mom to hear: bodywork before tongue-tie release can make a huge difference. Rather than rushing into surgery as a first step, addressing tension patterns with CST can optimize outcomes and sometimes even prevent unnecessary procedures.
Meaghan shared stories of parents who started bodywork within the first 24 hours of life and saw feeding issues resolve without needing surgery.
“Failure to Thrive” and the Nervous System
We also touched on the term “failure to thrive,” which can be so scary for parents. Jaimie pointed out that many of these babies may be stuck in a fight-or-flight state, making it hard for them to eat and process nutrients. Meaghan added that a “lazy baby” might actually be in shutdown mode, working hard to survive in a stressful environment.
This conversation reminded me how important it is to look beyond medical explanations and consider the nervous system and connection when supporting struggling infants.
Empowering Parents with At-Home Tools
Not every family has access to a CST practitioner, so I was eager to hear Meaghan’s advice for at-home techniques. She encourages trusting your intuition and using gentle, skin-to-skin touch—like soft, circular movements on your baby’s skin or simple face and scalp massages.
She also recommended resources like Mallalerie Millet for oral play guidance, helping parents feel empowered to support their babies every day.
Movement Matters: Why We Should Encourage Baby’s Mobility
Finally, we talked about the importance of movement. It’s so tempting to keep babies swaddled and still for safety, but gentle movement teaches their bodies what they’re capable of, helping lay down the motor pathways for crawling, rolling, and more.
Meaghan challenges the “wait and see” mentality and encourages parents to gently guide their babies’ movements to support development.
Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Support for Parents
Meaghan’s work is a beautiful example of how bodywork and lactation consulting can collaborate to support families holistically. We’re planning a follow-up conversation on her podcast to dive deeper into this synergy.
For now, I encourage you to listen to your intuition, seek trusted support, and know that gentle therapies like CST can open the door to a smoother breastfeeding journey for you and your baby.
Jaimie Zaki is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and mom of 5! Jaimie has volunteered as a La Leche League Leader, worked as a nurse, doula, and birth photographer, and is the host of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast and founder of the Confident MamaBear Society. Jaimie provides holistic breastfeeding advice for pregnant & new moms, helping them overcome unexpected latching trouble and milk supply issues. She empowers mothers to make informed decisions from a place of confidence and intuition.
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