Because these nerves influence so many essential functions — from swallowing and eye movement to facial expression and balance — they form an important part of how the body organises itself. When the cranial nerves are working well, the whole system tends to feel more coordinated and at ease. Therapies that use gentle touch, such as Craniosacral Therapy, pay close attention to the areas around these nerves to support overall comfort and wellbeing.

For babies who struggle — whether with shallow latch, fatigue at the breast, clicking sounds, reflux-like symptoms, or maternal discomfort — understanding these nerves can be the key to compassionate, effective support.

Let’s explore the cranial nerves that make breastfeeding possible, and why they matter so much in infant therapy.

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Why cranial nerves matter in feeding

Breastfeeding requires:

• Sensory awareness of the nipple
• Motor control of the lips, tongue, jaw, and pharynx
• Coordination of breathing with swallowing
• Comfort and regulation in the nervous system

All of this depends on cranial nerves — especially those emerging from the brainstem. When birth strain, tension patterns, or developmental factors affect these nerves, feeding challenges often follow.

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The key cranial nerves in breastfeeding

Each of the cranial nerves is given a number. Some are sensory — bringing information to the brain, some are motor — transmitting signals from the brain. Some nerves have both sensory and motor fibres. The numbers of the cranial nerves are often written as Roman numerals.

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1. Cranial Nerve V – The Trigeminal Nerve

Role: Jaw strength, sucking power, facial sensation

The trigeminal nerve controls:

• The muscles of mastication (jaw opening and closing)
• Sensation around the face and mouth
• Proprioception of the tongue and jaw

Why it matters:

A baby needs strong, rhythmic jaw movement to maintain suction. If CN V is irritated or compressed — perhaps from the way they developed in the womb or from the birth process — babies may:

• Tire quickly at the breast
• Have a weak or inconsistent suck
• Slip off the nipple
• Make clicking sounds

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2. Cranial Nerve VII – The Facial Nerve

Role: Lip seal, facial expression, taste

The facial nerve controls:

• Lip closure (critical for maintaining suction)
• Cheek tone
• Taste on the front of the tongue

Why it matters:

A baby with reduced CN VII function may show:

• Poor lip seal
• Milk leaking from the corners of the mouth
• Difficulty maintaining suction
• Asymmetrical facial movement

This nerve is especially sensitive to compression during birth, particularly with forceps or very fast or prolonged descent through the birth canal.

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3. Cranial Nerve IX – The Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Role: Swallowing initiation, gag reflex, tongue–pharynx coordination

The glossopharyngeal nerve helps:

• Trigger the swallow
• Coordinate the back of the tongue with the throat
• Manage the gag reflex

Why it matters:

When CN IX is irritated, babies may:

• Gag easily
• Struggle with the transition from suck to swallow
• Cough or sputter during feeds
• Appear uncomfortable with deeper latch

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4. Cranial Nerve X – The Vagus Nerve

Role: Swallowing, breathing regulation, digestion, calm state

The vagus nerve is the great regulator of:

• The swallow reflex
• Heart rate and breathing rhythm
• Digestive comfort
• The parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” state

Why it matters:

Vagal tension could lead to:

• Reflux-like symptoms
• Difficulty coordinating suck–swallow–breathe
• Fussiness at the breast
• Poor state regulation (difficulty settling)

This is one of the most important nerves in infant feeding and overall wellbeing.

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5. Cranial Nerve XII – The Hypoglossal Nerve

Role: Tongue movement and shaping

The hypoglossal nerve controls:

• Tongue elevation
• Tongue cupping
• Forward extension
• Lateral movement

Why it matters:

A baby needs a mobile, strong tongue to:

• Draw the nipple deeply into the mouth
• Maintain suction
• Express milk efficiently

When CN XII is restricted, babies may show:

• Tongue retraction
• Shallow latch
• Clicking
• Maternal nipple pain
• Fatigue during feeds

This nerve is often affected by tongue-tie, but also by tension at the base of the skull.

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How Craniosacral Therapy supports these nerves

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) aims to gently support the function of these nerves through release of the surrounding structures:

• Compression at the cranial base
• Strain patterns from birth
• Tension in the jaw, tongue, and neck
• Nervous system dysregulation

By improving mobility and reducing strain around the cranial nerve exits, CST can help babies:

• Feed more comfortably
• Coordinate suck–swallow–breathe
• Settle more easily
• Reduce reflux-like symptoms
• Improve latch and milk transfer

Each baby is different and every treatment is specific to the individual baby. Tension can arise anywhere in the body and a whole body approach is key. When working with a baby with feeding challenges, the cranial nerve function is a very important part of a very big picture. There are all sorts of things that can affect a baby’s ability to feed. Understanding the cranial nerves is a key part of that.

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Final thoughts

Breastfeeding is a whole-body, whole-nervous-system activity. When babies struggle, it’s rarely about willpower, lazy babies, or “bad habits” — it’s often about the cranial nerves working harder than they should or not to their full potential.

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The touch used is extremely light — often no more than the weight of a 5 pence coin resting on the skin. Babies usually remain clothed, and many feed, sleep, or quietly observe during a session.

Because babies’ bodies and nervous systems are still developing, they tend to respond very quickly and naturally to this light touch.

So what is CranioSacral Therapy actually doing?

CranioSacral therapy begins with gently palpating the subtle natural rhythms we all have. It is a little like listening with your hands. By listening quietly to all the tiny natural movements that are always going on, it is possible to feel what is restricted, tight, or not moving.

Throughout the treatment the CranioSacral Therapist will always be palpating and tuning in to the movements and rhythms the baby has. By working with those natural rhythms and responding as they change, we can restore movement with the very lightest pressure possible.

CranioSacral Therapy works with your baby’s nervous system — the system that controls things like digestion, feeding, sleep, muscle tone and how easily your baby settles.

During pregnancy and birth, babies can experience compression, tension, or strain in their body. This can come from:

• A long or fast labour
• Assisted deliveries (forceps, ventouse)
• Caesarean birth
• Being positioned tightly in the womb

These strains don’t mean anything is “wrong”, but they can sometimes make it harder for a baby to fully relax or regulate themselves.

Craniosacral therapy gently supports the whole body in releasing tension and finding more balance, helping the nervous system move out of a stressed or overworked state and into a calmer one.

What happens in a baby craniosacral therapy session?

Sessions begin with a conversation about your baby or child, your hopes for treatment, and any relevant details about pregnancy, birth, or feeding. Treatment only begins when you feel ready.

Your baby may be held, cradled, or treated while lying on a soft surface. Feeding, cuddling, rocking, nappy changes, or breaks are all welcome. The session follows the baby's pace. I keep spare clothes and wipes available, so even refluxy babies are completely welcome.

Babies often become deeply relaxed and may fall asleep. Parents frequently comment on how calm their baby looks during treatment.

Why does something so subtle work?

Babies are incredibly sensitive and responsive. Their nervous systems haven’t yet learned to compensate or override discomfort in the way adults often do.

Because of this, small, gentle inputs can create meaningful changes. Rather than working on muscles alone, craniosacral therapy works with communication within the nervous system — which is why the touch doesn’t need to be strong to be effective.

Think of it less like “doing something to” your baby, and more like giving their body the right conditions to settle, organise, and rebalance itself.

What do parents commonly bring babies for?

Parents often seek craniosacral therapy to support babies with:

• Feeding challenges
• Reflux or colic
• Excessive crying or difficulty settling
• Tension or stiffness in the body or neck
• Head shape concerns or flatness
• Babies who seem uncomfortable or unsettled without a clear reason

It’s also common for parents to bring babies simply because something doesn’t feel quite right — and trusting that instinct matters.

A Final Thought

Craniosacral therapy for babies is not about diagnosing or treating disease. It is a gentle, supportive therapy that works alongside your baby’s natural development.

It’s always okay to ask questions, watch closely, and take things at your own pace. Your baby’s comfort — and parents feeling confident that their baby is in safe hands — is essential.

If you’d like to know more about what a session would look like for your baby, or whether craniosacral therapy may be helpful, please get in touch.

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Let’s explore how cranial nerves and the ‘second brain’ influence reflux, why babies are so sensitive to these patterns, and how gentle therapeutic approaches can help.

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Why Reflux Isn’t Just About the Stomach

In infants, reflux is rarely caused by “too much acid.” Instead, it’s often related to:

• Immature nervous system coordination
• Tension at the cranial base
• Difficulty managing the suck–swallow–breathe rhythm
• Stress or dysregulation in the vagus nerve
• Tongue or jaw tension affecting swallowing mechanics
• Tension in the Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

Understanding the cranial nerves involved gives us a clearer, more compassionate view of what babies are experiencing.

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The Cranial Nerves Most Involved in Reflux

1. Cranial Nerve X – The Vagus Nerve

The master regulator of digestion and calm

The vagus nerve controls:

• Swallowing
• Esophageal motility
• Stomach emptying
• The lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
• Heart rate and breathing rhythm
• The parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” state

What I see when the vagus nerve is irritated — often from compression at the occiput during birth — babies may show:

• Reflux-like symptoms
• Gagging or choking
• Arching or stiffening
• Difficulty settling
• Hiccups, congestion, or frequent spit-up

Tension or compression of the vagus nerve can make the LES relax too often, allowing milk to travel upward.

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2. Cranial Nerve IX – Glossopharyngeal Nerve

The swallow initiator

This nerve helps coordinate:

• The back of the tongue
• The pharynx
• The gag reflex
• The beginning of the swallow

If CN IX is irritated, babies may:

• Gag easily
• Struggle to manage milk volume
• Cough or splutter
• Swallow air, increasing reflux

Too much air swallowing is one of the most overlooked contributors to reflux-like discomfort.

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3. Cranial Nerve XII – Hypoglossal Nerve

The tongue’s motor powerhouse

The hypoglossal nerve controls:

• Tongue cupping
• Tongue elevation
• Forward extension
• Peristaltic (wave-like) tongue movement

When CN XII is restricted — often from birth strain or tongue-tie — babies may:

• Have a shallow latch
• Click during feeds
• Swallow excess air
• Struggle to keep milk moving efficiently

More air in the stomach means more pressure pushing milk upward.

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4. Cranial Nerve V – Trigeminal Nerve

The jaw stabilizer

The trigeminal nerve supports:

• Jaw strength
• Sucking power
• Facial sensation

If CN V is affected, babies may:

• Tire quickly
• Lose suction
• Leak milk
• Compensate with tension patterns

These compensations often lead to gulping, air intake, and reflux-like symptoms.

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The Enteric Nervous System — The Baby’s “Second Brain”

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a vast network of neurons lining the digestive tract. It’s so complex and independent that it’s often called the second brain.

In babies, the ENS is still developing, which makes digestion more sensitive to anything that affects the nervous system as a whole.

The ENS communicates constantly with the vagus nerve — in fact, around 80% of vagal fibres carry information from the gut up to the brain, not the other way around. This means:

• A stressed gut can stress the brain
• A stressed brain can stress the gut
• And a stressed vagus nerve can disrupt both

In infants, this delicate communication loop can be easily disrupted by:

• Birth strain
• Air swallowing
• Feeding tension patterns
• Overstimulation
• Difficulty settling
• Tongue or jaw restrictions

When the ENS becomes overwhelmed or dysregulated, babies may show:

• Reflux-like symptoms
• Gas and bloating
• Straining or discomfort
• Frequent hiccups
• Restlessness after feeds
• Difficulty lying flat

This is why reflux often looks like a whole-body pattern, not just a digestive issue.

When the cranial nerves — especially the vagus — are supported, the ENS often becomes calmer and more coordinated. With CranioSacral Therapy we intend our treatment to calm the ENS and the tension in the surrounding tissue. Digestion improves not because the stomach changes, but because the nervous system becomes more relaxed and more organised.

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How Birth Influences These Nerves

The cranial nerves involved in feeding exit through tiny openings at the base of the skull. During birth, these areas can experience:

• Compression
• Rotation strain
• Asymmetry
• Tension from forceps or vacuum
• Effects of a fast, slow, or complex labour

Even a “normal” birth can leave temporary strain patterns that affect feeding and digestion.

This is why many babies with reflux also show:

• Torticollis
• Head-turning preference
• Tight jaw or tongue
• Difficulty latching
• Fussiness when lying flat

These are all clues pointing toward cranial nerve involvement.

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Why Craniosacral Therapy Helps

Craniosacral therapy (CST) gently supports:

• Release of tension at the cranial base
• Improved mobility of the tongue and jaw
• Regulation of the vagus nerve
• Better coordination of suck–swallow–breathe
• A calmer, more settled nervous system
• A better functioning ENS (second brain)
• Improved communication between the brain, vagus nerve, and enteric nervous system

Parents often describe the change as:

• “He suddenly feeds without gulping.”
• “She’s not arching anymore.”
• “He’s so much more relaxed.”
• “So much less spit up..”

When the cranial nerves and the ENS can function freely, feeding becomes smoother and digestion becomes more comfortable.

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Reflux Through a Nervous System Lens

Reflux isn’t a misbehaving stomach — it’s a baby doing their best with the neurological patterns they have.

By understanding the cranial nerves and the enteric nervous system, we can:

• Reduce unnecessary medication
• Support natural feeding mechanics
• Help babies feel safer and more settled
• Empower parents with clarity instead of worry

This is where gentle hands-on support through CranioSacral Therapy might help.

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Why Adults Experience Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines are complex and multifactorial. People often consider a number of triggers including:

• Chronic stress
• Postural strain (especially from screens)
• Jaw tension or clenching
• Neck and shoulder tightness
• Hormonal shifts
• Sinus congestion
• Old injuries or whiplash
• Nervous system overload

These factors can create a loop of tension and sensitivity that keeps the pain returning.

CST works by helping the body soften these patterns rather than fight against them.

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How Craniosacral Therapy Helps Adults

CST uses light, still touch to support the natural movement of the cranial bones, fascia, and nervous system. It’s not about forcing change — it’s about creating the conditions for the body to release tension on its own.

Here’s how CST may help adults with headaches and migraines.

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1. Releasing Tension at the Cranial Base

Many headaches can originate from tightness where the skull meets the spine. This area is packed with nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. CST gently supports this region, helping ease compression and improve comfort.

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2. Calming the Nervous System

Migraines often involve heightened sensitivity in the nervous system. CST encourages a shift into a calmer, more regulated state. Many adults describe feeling deeply rested, grounded, and clearer after a session.

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3. Easing Jaw and TMJ Tension

Jaw clenching and grinding are major contributors to headaches. CST can help soften tension in the jaw, temples, and surrounding fascia — reducing strain that radiates upward into the head.

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4. Supporting Neck and Shoulder Mobility

Modern life is hard on the upper body. Hours at a desk, driving, or looking down at a phone can create chronic tightness. CST helps release these restrictions, improving mobility and reducing the muscular load that often triggers headaches.

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5. Improving Fluid and Tissue Movement

CST supports the natural movement of the membranes and fluids around the brain and spinal cord. When these tissues move more freely, pressure and congestion may ease, reducing the frequency or intensity of headaches.

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6. Helping After Injury or Whiplash

Even old injuries can leave lasting patterns of tension. CST offers a gentle way to help the body reorganise after whiplash, falls, or head impacts — often reducing lingering headaches that never fully resolved.

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7. Supporting Hormonal and Stress‑Related Headaches

Stress and hormonal shifts can amplify sensitivity in the cranial system. CST helps regulate the nervous system and soften the fascial tension that often accompanies these changes.

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What a CST Session Feels Like

People are often surprised by how subtle CST is. A session typically involves:

• Light touch
• Stillness
• Deep relaxation
• A sense of unwinding or softening

Some people feel warmth, gentle movement, or a release of pressure. Others simply feel calmer and more grounded.

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A Holistic Approach to Headache Relief

Craniosacral therapy doesn’t replace medical care, but it can be a powerful complement — especially for adults seeking a gentle, body‑based approach to managing headaches and migraines.

By supporting the nervous system, easing fascial tension, and helping the body find balance, CST offers a pathway toward greater comfort, clarity, and resilience.

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