— Breastfeeding Support Clinic —
Infant feeding support and tongue tie division Clinic
A Breastfeeding Support Clinic led by a lactation consultant (IBCLC) and midwife to support new parents & Babies.
Initially providing infant feeding support and tongue tie division. We will soon be offering antenatal workshops and other services so you can be prepared however you hope to feed your baby.
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding can be enjoyable and bonding, or it can be tough and exhausting. Often it’s a mix of both. If things aren’t going smoothly, it’s worth seeking help from a midwife, health visitor, breastfeeding group or lactation consultant.
Our Breastfeeding is run by a lactation consultant (IBCLC) and midwife.
Some of the things we can help with are:
- Babies who won’t attach to the breast
- Sore or damaged nipples
- Weight gain issues
- Low milk supply
- Sleepy babies
- Fussy, colicky babies
- Mastitis or engorgement
- Expressing
- Helping a premature baby begin to breastfeed
- Weaning off the breast
If you’re not sure if we can help, then please do contact us to discuss.
Bottle Feeding & Mixed Feeding
We’re always happy to see if we can help with any issues you’re encountering with bottle or mixed feeding. It is often assumed that bottle feeding is straightforward, but that’s not always the case.
We can help with:
- Babies who are struggling with flow on the bottle, who are dribbling or choking
- Introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby
- Paced feeding
- Evidence-based information about infant formula
We can often suggest other professionals who may be helpful if things are more complex.
Pregnancy
If feeding has been very challenging with a previous baby, or you have specific concerns, I am very happy to meet you before your baby’s birth to discuss feeding and make a plan with you for the early days. You are welcome to then follow up with me by email or text for the first two weeks after your baby’s birth.
Some reasons that you might want to meet in pregnancy include:
- You have diabetes or a medical condition that might make feeding more challenging
- You have a family member who had significant feeding difficulties
- You had previous low milk supply, or you are concerned you have risk factors for low supply
- Your baby is likely to be admitted to the neonatal unit after birth
- Your baby is likely to have a medical condition that may make feeding more challenging
- You are anxious about feeding and would like to discuss your concerns
Tongue tie Division
What is tongue tie?
Tongue tie is the term used when the lingual frenulum (the piece of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter, tighter and/or more inelastic than is typical which leads to the baby (or older child/adult) being unable to move their tongue freely. This can lead to problems with feeding.
What will happen when I come to the clinic?
Your Lactation Consultant will welcome you and your baby and ask you about how feeding has been going and about your current concerns. It is really helpful if you are able to fill in the pre appointment questionnaire before coming and bring your baby’s red book. You may like to show me how your baby feeds, especially if you haven’t had much support before.
While we are chatting I will be observing your baby to see if your baby exhibits any of the tongue movements we are looking for.
Then if you are happy I will swaddle your baby tightly and with a clean gloved finger have a look in your baby’s mouth, aiming to elicit the tongue movements a baby should be able to make and assessing how they suck and the shape of their palate. I will also lift up your baby’s tongue and look at the frenulum using a light. Your baby may cry briefly when I do this. I will then return the baby to you and we will complete the assessment tool and discuss the results.
