Hi Reader

Dad Joke: Why do seagulls fly over the sea? If they flew over the bay, they would be bagels.

Song of the Week: Stronger than you know - The East Pointers​

You know those babies who have poor suck mechanics…the ones that just can’t get their rhythm together…Well, what if I told you I could give you a tool right now that improves both rhythmicity and regularity of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking…

And then what if I told you there was a bit of research behind it…and it takes 10 seconds to learn…

Worth a click I’d say…

Have you heard of Vojta’s points…If not you are in for a treat. They are zones that, when stimulated with the patient in the right position, create a feedback loop that improves tone, coordination and stability.

The one we need is super easy to find. It’s called the Breast Zone and it is located in the 7^th and 8^th intercostal space in the mammillary line (in line with the nipple). Remember I said baby needs to be in a particular position for this to create the feedback loop magic…Well the position is supine, couldn’t be easier.

There’s just one more thing to know and that’s the vector with which to create force onto the zone. So…it’s finger pressure, between those 7^th and 8^th ribs pushing in a dorsal – caudal direction (towards the opposite side of the pelvis), this creates load in the direction we want to create stability. Sit at the head of the patient and get baby to suck your finger (because the brain also responds to and alters it’s motor output dependant on intraoral mechanics). Hold that Breast Zone point on one side for 20 seconds and then change sides (alternate sides like this for 1 minute 20 seconds whilst you have them sucking your finger). Whilst you gently move the head 30° towards the side you are stimulating.

2024 systematic reviews explains that “This would, unlike other interventions, seem to have a direct impact on the central pattern generator, which improves the rhythmicity as well as the regularity of both non-nutritive and nutritive sucking in premature newborns. The data shows that this directly affects the central pattern generator, which improves the rhythmicity and regularity of both nonnutritive and nutritive sucking.

Another arrow in the quiver. Enjoy.

Chat soon

Mike

• 23 & 24 Aug 2025 - Paeds in Motion Part 1 (The Young Child) Boston, USA bookings with https://peak-potential-institute.mykajabi.com/peds-in-motion-1​
• 6 & 7 Sept 2025 - Paeds in Motion Part 1 (The Young Child) Wales, UK (bookings with michellebushell3@hotmail.com)
• 31 Oct 2025 - Student Paediatric Chiropractic Evening, Newcastle, UK​
• 1 & 2 Nov 2025 - Management of the Neonate, Newcastle, UK​
• 15 & 16 November - Amsterdam - Cranial Kinetics for Kids ​
• 29 & 30 November - Surrey, UK (details to be announced soon)​​

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Connected Paediatrics – Dr Mike Marinus is a registered paediatric chiropractor treating babies and children and helping chiropractors learn effective paediatric techniques that they can use in their practice

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