Enhancing your feeding journey and tongue-tie assessment/division

Proudly Helping Parents in North West England and Wales

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Lactation Consultant?

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is the professional level of qualification in breastfeeding assistance. They offer help and support throughout the breast feeding journey.

How Can a Lactation Consultant Help?

A lactation consultant offers clinical experience to breastfeeding families by providing information and support to help prevent and manage common concerns during both the ante natal and post natal period.

They help with:

How Can a Lactation Consultant Help? - They help with:

  • Prenatal Counselling about the Factors That May Affect Breastfeeding Lactation

  • Practices That Promote Successful Breastfeeding and Lactation Such as Position and Attachment

  • Managing Common Concerns Such as Low Milk Supply, Poor Latch, Nipple or Breast Discomfort, or Fussy/Colicky Baby

  • Expressing and Storage of Breast Milk And Colostrum Harvesting

  • Strategies for Continuing Breastfeeding When Returning to Work

  • Breastfeeding Challenges Such as Premature Babies, Twins or Triplets, or Infants with Special Requirements

Is Breastfeeding Easy?

While breastfeeding is natural, it is a learned skill which requires practice and usually gets easier with time. While many mothers do breast feed it may be challenging for some. Remember, support is always available.

Will I Have Enough Milk for My Baby?

The majority of mothers have enough breast milk to exclusively breast feed their baby for as long as you and your baby wish. The recommendation is to exclusively breast feed your baby for the first 6months and up to 2 years and beyond alongside other foods.

Why Is Responsive Feeding So Important?

For the baby: Responsive feeding is important because a newborn baby’s stomach is only the size of a walnut; they need to feed little and often. So responding to your baby’s cues is ideal. Letting them feed when they need to will ensure they are content by letting them get the milk when they need it.

For the mother: You may wish to offer your breast when they feel full or you just want to sit down and relax with your baby. You can fit feeds around your everyday lifestyle.

How Often Does My Baby Need to Breastfeed?

All mums and babies are different but as a guide your baby should feed at least 8 times in 24hrs during the first couple of months. You cannot overfeed a breast-fed baby and you cannot spoil them by allowing free access to the breast.

Should I Offer Both Breasts?

Yes, once your baby has finished the first breast, you should wind, change the nappy, and offer the second side. However, they won’t always want the second side.

Expressing Breast Milk

This can be done by hand or pump. Expressing your milk by hand is a very useful skill in the early days. It may take a bit of time to master the technique, but you will find it very helpful if your baby isn’t feeding, latching, or if you become sore or engorged and it can be a good way to stimulate your milk production.

How to Bottle Feed a Breast-Fed Baby

You may wish to introduce a bottle OR your baby may require a bottle of expressed breast milk or formula in addition to breast feeding. Where this is the case, the method used is known as ‘paced bottle feeding’. It allows the infant to control the flow of the milk.

Need More Detail?

I’m here if you want to talk about tongue tie treatments and a host of other issues.