Human Milk Feeding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?

Apart from being quite a mouthful of a title, an IBCLC is a recognised title given to a professional who has:

• Completed over 90 hours of lactation-specific education

• Completed 5 hours of communication-related education

• Has over 1,000 hours’ experience supporting families with lactation

• Passed a 4-hour exam

It’s a sign of quality and expertise. Anyone registered as an IBCLC has to re-certify every 5 years. This lets you know that they’re highly-trained, and able to handle the most complex feeding issues. They’re up to date with their methods and advice, and they adhere to a strict code of conduct.

What is a tongue tie?

The term 'tongue tie' is used to describe the lingual frenulum underneath the tongue, when it anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth, resulting in a restriction of normal tongue movement.

Before birth this piece of tissue is prominent in all babies, fortunately, in most cases this naturally recedes before birth. It is estimated that for 1-2 in 20 babies, this tissue remains prominent and restricting, which can cause it to be difficult for these babies to use their tongues.

True tongue ties are more than just the presence of tissue under the tongue, the diagnosis is based mainly on the function of the tongue. A suitably trained professional can carry out an assessment, this usually involves using a gloved finger to trigger certain tongue movements from the baby.   

I would like support with twins or siblings, is this included?

While we will look at your whole family from a holistic perspective, these feeding consultations are aimed at one child only. That’s because every child is an individual. We need the full consultation to provide a strategy that works perfectly for them.

How do you assess weight gain?

As part of our feeding assessments, we will routinely weigh infants. Children under 2 will need to have their clothes removed for an accurate result. Don’t worry, because all members of The Natal Network have an enhanced DBS. We always obtain your consent before any intervention.

How can I solve breastfeeding problems?

Breastfeeding problems are best solved through accessing support, whether that is social support through friends and families, or qualified breastfeeding support services. We are not expected to know immediately how to breastfeed - we learn through observing others and being around people who support and encourage us to meet whatever our goals may be.

How can I access breastfeeding support?

You can access free breastfeeding support through your community midwife, health visiting service, local breastfeeding peer support services or through the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

National Breastfeeding Helpline - 0300 100 0212, 9.30am - 9.30pm, 7 days a week.

Alternatively, you can access our infant feeding services.

Can you diagnose medical conditions such as cow’s milk protein allergies, mastitis, colic, thrush and reflux?

Only Paediatricians or GPs can formally diagnose these conditions, but we can identify any likely symptoms and write a report that you can give to your doctor. We’re familiar with all these conditions and the likely treatments, but because we’re outside the NHS we can’t prescribe treatments ourselves.

When should I introduce my baby to solids?

The ideal age to start introducing solid foods to your little one is around 6 months. This is when your baby is likely to be developmentally ready – able to sit up without supports, hold their head up, and move food from their hand to their mouth. Not quite there yet? No need to worry, just give them a bit more time. You can speak to your GP or Health Visitor if you’re concerned.

There’s no rush to introduce solid foods earlier. Breastmilk and formula milk contain all the nutrients your baby needs. If you start giving your child pureed solids too early, you might just be filling them up without giving them the right nutrients. It’s at around 6 months, when your baby’s iron stores start to deplete, that you should introduce solids.

Some babies will prefer purees but some will skip this stage altogether. If they do, then great – this helps to teach your child to chew before they swallow, and how to move food around their mouth.

You can feed your child almost anything at this age, as long as you prepare it in a way to prevent them from accidentally choking. This is a lovely way to bring the family together, sharing foods and developing healthy eating habits, Honey’s the exception – if your child eats honey before their first birthday they could contract botulism, a serious condition.

Finally, if you notice your child is constantly pushing food out of their mouths, don’t assume it’s fussy eating. It could be the extrusion reflex, a genius survival reflex that all babies have that uses the tongue to push out solid foods to prevent choking. It goes away at around – you guessed it – 6 months. If your child still has the reflex just wait a little longer.

Why is my baby rejecting the breast?

It can be common for babies or infants to go through periods of breast refusal for many reasons. Skin-to-skin can be beneficial for any infant of any age to go ‘back to basics’. We understand this can be frustrating for parents and the infant so please reach out to a professional or peer support service to assist you.

Will a tongue tie resolve by itself?

Every tongue tie is anatomically different, we use an assessment tool which will give us the information on whether to offer a surgical division (if a resolution cannot be reached through conservative methods alone, such as positioning and attachment support, and oral exercises).
This is often seen in tongue ties that are made of the same tissue as the webbing between your fingers and as such do not ‘stretch’ over time.
What may happen is that as your baby grows (and there is more space within their mouth), you may not experience the same symptoms. Likewise, your baby may learn other ways of using their oral muscles to compensate for the restriction.