Your breastfeeding journey is unique. When challenges arise, expert guidance can make all the difference for you and your baby.
For many new parents in Boise and across the Treasure Valley, breastfeeding is a rewarding experience that fosters a deep connection with their newborn. Yet, it’s rarely a straight path. From painful latching to concerns about milk supply, obstacles can feel overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to navigate these hurdles alone. Professional lactation support provides the compassionate expertise and tailored solutions you need to find confidence and success in your feeding goals.
Common Hurdles on the Breastfeeding Journey
Recognizing that a challenge exists is the first step toward finding a solution. Many parents experience similar difficulties, and a lactation consultant is trained to address them all.
Painful Latching
While some initial tenderness is normal, breastfeeding should not be a painful, toe-curling experience. Persistent pain, cracked or bleeding nipples, are often signs of a shallow latch, which can impact both your comfort and your baby’s ability to get enough milk.
Milk Supply Concerns
Worrying whether your baby is getting enough milk is one of the most common anxieties for new mothers. A breastfeeding consultant can assess milk transfer, provide strategies to boost supply if needed, and give you peace of mind.
Infant Weight Gain Issues
Slow or inadequate weight gain can be a major red flag. A specialist can help identify the root cause, whether it’s related to latch, milk transfer, or an underlying physical issue like a tongue-tie.
The Deeper Connection: Tongue-Tie and Breastfeeding
Sometimes, breastfeeding difficulties are caused by a physical restriction in the baby’s mouth known as ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie. This condition occurs when the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the lingual frenulum) is too short or tight, restricting the tongue’s range of motion.
For effective breastfeeding, a baby needs to be able to lift and move their tongue freely to cup the breast and extract milk. When movement is limited, it can lead to:
- A shallow, painful latch for the mother.
- Clicking sounds during feeding as the baby loses suction.
- Frustration at the breast and frequent unlatching.
- Poor milk transfer, leading to slow weight gain and low milk supply.
- Symptoms like reflux and gassiness in the infant.
At the Center for Orofacial Myology, our integrated approach means we don’t just look at the surface symptoms. Our team is uniquely qualified to identify these restrictions and offer comprehensive solutions. An expert evaluation can determine if an infant tongue-tie release might be beneficial, providing a path forward that addresses the root cause of feeding struggles. This evaluation is often a key part of our lactation and feeding therapy support.
What to Expect During a Lactation Consultation
Visiting a lactation consultant is a supportive and educational experience. The goal is to understand your specific challenges and create a personalized plan that works for you and your baby. Here’s what a session typically involves:
1. Detailed History
Your consultant will discuss your health history, your baby’s birth, and your breastfeeding experience so far. This holistic view helps uncover any factors that might be influencing your journey.
2. Oral and Physical Assessment
The specialist will gently examine your baby’s mouth, checking their palate, suck reflex, and tongue function to identify any potential issues like a tongue or lip tie.
3. Feeding Observation
The most important part of the visit is observing a feeding. Your consultant will watch your baby latch and nurse, helping you with positioning and technique in real-time to improve comfort and effectiveness.
4. Customized Care Plan
After the assessment, you’ll receive a clear, actionable plan. This might include new feeding positions, latching techniques, information on pumping, or recommendations for further care with our expert team to address underlying issues.
Did You Know?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. Professional lactation support is a recognized healthcare service designed to help families meet this goal and is often covered by insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.
Finding Comprehensive Care in Boise, Idaho
For families in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and beyond, finding fragmented care can be exhausting. Driving from one specialist to another adds stress to an already challenging time. The Center for Orofacial Myology offers a truly integrated solution under one roof. Our team collaborates to ensure every aspect of your baby’s oral function is addressed—from lactation and feeding to airway health and physical development.
Choosing local, experienced lactation support means gaining a partner who understands the resources and community here in the Treasure Valley. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers you to nourish your baby with confidence.
Ready to Find Your Feeding Rhythm?
You are not alone on this journey. Our team of compassionate experts at the Center for Orofacial Myology is ready to provide the lactation support and integrated care your family deserves. Let us help you overcome challenges and build a positive, successful breastfeeding relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to see a lactation consultant?
It’s never too early or too late! Many parents benefit from a prenatal consultation to prepare for breastfeeding. Postpartum, it’s best to seek help as soon as you notice any issues, such as pain, latch difficulty, or concerns about your baby’s weight. Early intervention can prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones.
Is lactation support covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans are required to cover lactation counseling and support under the Affordable Care Act. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to understand the specifics of your coverage. Our office can provide you with the necessary documentation for reimbursement.
How can I prepare for my consultation?
It’s helpful to write down your questions and concerns ahead of time. Try to time the appointment so your baby will be ready to feed. Bring any feeding tools you currently use, such as a nipple shield or pump. Most importantly, come with an open mind—our goal is to support you without judgment.
What if my baby needs more than just lactation support?
This is a key benefit of choosing the Center for Orofacial Myology. Our team works collaboratively. If your lactation consultant identifies a potential tongue-tie, speech concern, or physical tension, we can seamlessly connect you with our in-house specialists for services like frenuloplasty, speech therapy, or craniosacral therapy. This ensures your child receives comprehensive care tailored to their exact needs.
Glossary of Terms
Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie): A condition present at birth that restricts the tongue’s range of motion due to an unusually short, thick, or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethering the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Frenulum: A small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body. In the mouth, there is a lingual frenulum (under the tongue) and a labial frenulum (connecting the lip to the gum).
Latch: The way a baby takes the breast into their mouth to breastfeed. A deep and effective latch is crucial for comfortable nursing and efficient milk transfer.
Milk Transfer: The process of milk moving from the mother’s breast to the baby’s stomach during a feeding session. Lactation consultants can measure this to ensure the baby is feeding effectively.