Extra Information
Breastfeeding:
Your feeding issues could range from; painful feeding, poor weight gain, constant feeding, to more general worries like; how does a newborn behave, and what is exactly ‘normal’?
A consultancy begins with a call to establish the pressing issues, followed by a home visit where we explore, from the very beginning, what has been happening. This holistic approach helps me to identify the possible causes of what is troubling you. With your permission I will examine your baby and watch you feed. Support to improve feeding will continue throughout consultation. I follow every visit with comprehensive notes to remind you of the points we will have covered.
There is always a lot of information and it can be hard to remember everything! Feeding plans and follow ups are planned as necessary.
Feeding problems can occur after feeding has established, you may need extra support at this point.
Sometimes mothers will need support weaning from breastfeeding.
My care is tailored to you!
Tongue-tie Helpful info:
(Newborn to 6 months)
Checking for tongue-tie (lingual frenulum) can only be done in person with a baby, it can only be assessed in conjunction with a history, watching a feed closely and by digital oral examination. It takes years of clinical experience to develop understanding surrounding tongue ties and the consequences of them. I would add that lots of people have a piece of skin under their tongue (frenulum) and its perfectly normal and does not affect feeding, or rather it is not responsible for the issues you are experiencing.
If a tongue-tie is suspected to be the issue, then a division can make a significant improvement.
We discuss your options, the procedure, the risks, and the potential benefits. There is plenty of time within the consultancy to think about the procedure and ask questions.
A consent form specifically for tongue-tie division (frenulotomy) is signed.
The procedure:
Your baby is swaddled, and their head is supported by you (or partner),
I elevate the tongue to stretch the frenulum and using sterile scissors designed for the procedure make an incision into the frenulum.
This divides the frenulum and immediately allows for increased tongue elevation.
I apply gauze to the wound for a few seconds, assess the wound and then we encourage your baby to feed.
Parents are concerned about pain: there are very few nerves and blood supply in this type of tissue which means they do not appear to have much pain and they do not bleed a lot. In my experience babies seem more upset at being swaddled than the actual procedure, and they generally settle very quickly with a feed. They cannot remember pain at this age.
Post procedure: generally, babies behave normally following the procedure, hopefully their feeding has improved, and things start to feel better. The wound will begin to heal immediately. I always suggest exercises to strengthen the tongue and promote good mobility. However, breastfeeding is the best exercise of all.
Coaching:
Please get in touch for more details.