Birthwise IBCLC

Around 3-4 months, baby discovers their hands, fingers and sometimes toes! They want to put everything in their mouth, and it looks like they are always hungry, or they are teething, but they may only be “practicing” chewing as they get ready for solid foods in a few months time.

This is an expected phase of oral development and signals the instinctive sucking reflex has integrated and now sucking is a choice, rather than a reflex. Now the focus is on developing the oral skills needed for biting, chewing, licking, and swallowing solid foods safely.

Offering toys like the ones in the picture can help soothe tender gums, habilitate a tongue that hasn’t been moving properly and help baby practice chewing.
These toys are favourites of babies I see in my practice. Toys with long textured projections they can hold easily in their hands are best and provide an excellent sensory experience. And of course, nothing beats their own delicious little fingers!

Shown in the picture
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy
Mombella mini mushroom teether toy
Fu Store Hollow Teether Tube (comes in 6pack)
Papachoo Pineapple Baby Teething Toys
Fluxy Oral Motor Tool and Therapy Aid

This can be a difficult “transitional” time when breast or bottle feeding. Baby may appear hungrier, distracted, be waking more at night, you may be worried about milk supply and how much milk baby is getting or that baby is teething. Book a consultation if you have any concerns!

Hey Dads…we see all the things you do to support your families. Often on the sidelines, this is your day! We wish you a very Happy Father’s Day!

I often get asked by fathers how they can fit into the breastfeeding journey. Here are a few ideas that can make a big difference:

💗 Ask what she would find helpful: Simply asking your partner what she needs can go a long way in showing your support.
💗 Be there for feeds and pumping sessions: Breastfeeding can be a lonely task, especially in the early weeks when it can take a while. Your presence will provide much-needed companionship.
💗 Attend baby appointments: Whenever possible, join your partner for baby's check-ups. Your presence will be greatly appreciated.
💗 Set up a feeding "station" (or two, or three!): Create a comfortable and convenient space for your partner to breastfeed or pump. A cozy chair, footstool, snacks, water bottle, charging cables, and any necessary supplies can make her sessions more comfortable.
💗 Bring snacks and keep her hydrated: Surprise her with her favorite snacks and make sure her water bottle is always filled, without waiting for her to ask.
💗 Offer skin-to-skin contact or take over baby duties: Give your partner a chance to rest or enjoy an uninterrupted shower while you bond with your little one.
💗 Get involved in diaper changes, tummy time, and paced bottle feeds: be an active participant in baby care routines.
💗 Assist with pumping: Help with cleaning, sterilizing, and organizing the pump equipment.
💗 Prepare light, nutritious meals: Take charge of meals by making easy-to-heat or cold options that are nourishing and delicious.
💗 Help with household chores: Take the initiative to do a load of laundry, tidy up the kitchen, or vacuum without being asked.
💗 Shower her with encouragement, write little notes of love and appreciation, and surprise her with flowers already in a vase. Your thoughtfulness will brighten her day!

Baby having a hard time latching? Are you experiencing ni**le pain? Any problems with weight gain? It could be a tongue-tie but not always.

To breastfeed effectively, baby’s tongue must be able to do these 4 essential movements:
💗Extend- by extending the tongue over the lower gums and lip, baby finds the ni**le, triggers the beginning of a deep latch and protects the ni**le
💗Cup- the front of the tongue cups firmly around the ni**le and surrounding tissue, drawing it in for a deep latch and creating a trough for milk to travel from the front to back of the tongue for a safe swallow
💗Elevate- The cupped tongue must be able to elevate fully to the roof of the mouth. The ni**le is held in place by the tongue, the roof of the mouth, the cheeks, soft flexible lips and a seal is created
💗Wave movement (Peristalsis)- The lower jaw and front of the tongue drop first, followed by the back of the tongue. This dropping creates the vacuum that sucks the milk from the breast into baby’s mouth. Then the front of the tongue elevates, the back follows, and the sucking cycles begin until baby tires, needs a burp, change breasts or is full.

Some of the many reasons baby’s tongue may not be moving properly include:
💗Position- if baby is not in an optimal breastfeeding position, they may not be coming close enough to the ni**le or at the right angle.
💗Time- sometimes babies need some time to build their strength and stamina or to recover from their birth.
💗Tightness anywhere in the body may cause tension on the tongue that affects one or both sides ability to move properly. The body is all connected!
💗Tongue tie- a restrictive frenulum may not allow the tongue to do one or more of the 4 essential movements and all are needed to feed effectively.

If you are concerned your baby’s tongue is not moving properly, book an appointment with an IBCLC for a full feeding assessment and functional oral assessment.

Wouldn’t it be nice if your breasts had a measuring gauge so you knew in real-time how much milk they were making and how much milk baby was getting?

Worrying about milk supply and whether baby is getting enough milk is the number one reason women wean before meeting their breastfeeding goals.

It can be hard to interpret baby’s hunger cues from “I need to suck to regulate myself” and later “ I have found my hands and they are delicious and fun” cues. How to know if baby has had enough to eat? Especially if they are rooting, or feed from a bottle after breastfeeding.

Doesn’t that mean they didn’t get enough? Not necessarily.

Learn what signs an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) checks for by reading my latest blog post, link in bio.

If you are concerned your baby isn’t getting enough milk, book an appointment with a lactation consultant for a thorough assessment.