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Tag: breastfeeding

Torticollis

Torticollis is a condition most commonly diagnosed in infancy in which the baby’s head is consistently tilted or turned to one direction. It is often present beginning at birth, but is typically noticed at 1-2 months of age as the baby’s head control improves. The most common cause is tightness in the neck muscles due to a variety of potential factors. 

Torticollis risk factors:

  • Positioning in utero
  • Delivery in breech position or use of forceps for delivery 
  • Multiples birth (twins, triplets, etc.) 
  • Reflux (GERD)
  • Vision concerns
  • Genetic factors and syndromes 

Signs of torticollis:

  • Baby or child consistently tilts head towards one side in most positions
  • Baby or child consistently turns head (rotates) or looks in one direction  
  • Baby has difficulty bottle feeding or breastfeeding on one side noted
  • Baby has a flat spot on the head
  • Baby has asymmetries in the head and facial region

Torticollis can be treated by a pediatric physical therapist (PT). Your PT will work with you and your baby to create an individualized plan of care including stretching and strengthening activities for your baby’s neck and trunk. Improvements in strength and head position are typically noted within the first few months of physical therapy with a good prognosis to completely resolve the torticollis, especially if treated early. If left untreated, torticollis can impact the following areas of development: rolling, sitting, pulling to stand, crawling, standing, walking, balance, vision, bottle feeding and breastfeeding, and eating. 

Conditions associated with torticollis:

It is never too early to intervene and to treat torticollis. Schedule a free screening with a physical therapist at BDI Playhouse if you have any questions about your baby’s head position or head shape. So worry not, our BDI Playhouse therapists are experts in this area and we are waiting to answer any questions you may have! 

Written by: Cassidy Bannon, PT, DPT

Lactatation Consultation

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One-on-one virtual or in-person breast and bottle feeding lactation support services from the comfort of your own home or at our clinic.

Meet with our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants at a convenient time and in the location that makes you most comfortable!

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More Milk, Less Worry


Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants provide non-judgmental and evidence-based support to you and your baby! We are ready to meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to go in your feeding journey!  We want you to know that you are not alone and that, with support, we can help you get more milk and worry less! 

What to Expect at Your Consult

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  • Where do lactation consultations take place?

    We provide both in-person and virtual lactation consultations. In-person sessions take place at our clinic and virtual sessions are held over Zoom. You can choose what works best for you!

  • What we do together in a Lactation Consult

    First visits are typically 45-60 minutes to give us time for a thorough history, observing baby feeding (breast, bottle or both), and a plan of care.  Included is

    • A history and assessment of breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding issues by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and infant feeding SLP
    • An assessment of latch, suck and positioning
    • Breast care including mastitis, plugged ducts, blebs, thrush, engorgement, and nipple soreness
    • Soothing a fussy baby
    • Breastfeeding while returning to work
    • Assistance with breast pumps, nipple shields and other lactation devices
    • Breastfeeding education and support
    • Transition from breast to bottle OR bottle to breast
    • A report to send to your care provider(s) if requested
  • What to have at your consultation:

    • YOU and your precious baby
    • Any current nursing gadgets
    • Any pumps and required pump parts if desired
    • Preferred feeding pillows if desired
    • Bottles/pacifiers
  • Here are some helpful tips to maximize your virtual appointment:

    • Both users must have adequate internet connection
    • Both users must have adequate lighting. Please keep a flashlight/light on hand for mouth assessments
    • May need a second set of hands to help with positioning the device for best viewing
    • It is beneficial (not necessary) for the family to have two connected devices.  I.e. a computer/ipad for discussion and a phone for breast and bottle feeding/latch assessment
  • While virtual lactation consults are useful for many reasons, there will be times that our IBCLC must refer mom and/or baby to a local health care provider. These cases may include:

    • Suspected tongue and/or lip tie or other oral malformation
    • Mastitis, thrush and other breastfeeding concerns requiring treatment
    • Inadequate lighting/internet connection to perform a quality online assessment
    • Concerns with weight gain, jaundice and/or general well-being of your baby

Tandem Breastfeeding

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Quality Lactation Support


Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are professionals in lactation consulting who have demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding consulting and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation.  Our IBCLCs are also speech language pathologists who specialize in the overall safety and success of infant feeding.  

BDI’s International Board Certified Lactation Consultants Specialize in Supporting:

  • breastfeeding

    Baby

    Baby’s success on the breast/bottle

  • Mom's breastfeeding

    Mom

    Mom’s health and comfort

  • Family Lactation Support

    Family

    Family support for mom & baby

  • Engorgement

    Pumping

    Preparing for and maximizing pumping

  • Tummy Time

    Tummy

    Reflux, Spit-up, Vomiting Support

  • lactation latch

    Position & Latch

    Finding the perfect position and latch

Lactation Professionals Areas of Expertise

    • Latching
    • Milk Supply
    • Breast and Nipple Soreness
    • Weight Concerns
    • Supplementation
    • Pain or Breast Damage
    • Plugged Milk Ducts
    • Engorgement
    • Breast/Bottle Feeding
    • Mastitis
    • Reflux, Spitting-up and/or Vomiting
    • Induced or Relactation
    • Feeding Techniques and Positions
    • Weaning
    • Transition to Bottle-Feeding from Breast
    • Transition to Breast Feeding from Bottle
    • Pumping
    • Back-to-Work Plan
    • Oral Motor Restrictions
    • Tongue/Lip Tie
    • Tandem Breastfeeding

Amy Stumpf, MS, CCC-SLP/L, IBCLC

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant & Speech Language Pathologist

Amy is a speech therapist who specializes in feeding, orofacial development, tethered oral tissues, and lactation consulting. She absolutely loves coming alongside families and supporting them and their babies during their feeding journey’s in infancy. Amy will never be finished learning and is constantly humbled by the lessons she takes away from each family she has the pleasure of consulting!

AMY CLEC
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  • Find and reserve a time that works for you.
  • Meet with your IBCLC!

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Engorgement

Breast Engorgement

What is the best way to prevent engorgement while breastfeeding?  Frequent feedings!  Feeding your baby 10-12 times per 24 hours and making sure your breasts are emptied each feed should reduce your risk of experiencing engorgement.  However, if you are experiencing that painful fullness here are a few tips

Strategies to reduce engorgement

Before Breastfeeding

  1. Hand express or pump the breast for 1-3 minutes prior to feeding
  2. If you can get milk to flow use moist warm compresses to increase milk flowing
  3. If you cannot get milk to flow use cold pack on breasts
  4. Warm shower with back to water, taking a “breast bath” in warm water, and/or applying wash cloths that are moist and warm

While Nursing

  1. If the breasts or areola are too swollen for baby to latch pump or and express for 1-3 minutes to soften breast before feeding. 
  2. Apply light to moderate pressure (REVERSE PRESSURE SOFTENING) to move fluid around nipple and to make it more latchable.

Between Feedings

  1. Use cold compresses, over a protective layer of fabric, on your breasts, chest, and under arms to help decrease swelling.
  2. Wear bras that are not too loose and not too tight.

Engorged breasts can make your breastfeeding experience tough.  The best way to treat engorgement is to prevent it!  However, if you are experiencing persistent engorgement and would like additional help, schedule a free screening with one of our lactation counselors.

Written by Jessica Keenan, MA, CCC-SLP/L, CLC

Mom's breastfeeding

Benefits of Breastfeeding

What are the benefits of breastfeeding babies?  Many moms are faced with familial and societal pressure of deciding whether they want to breastfeed or formula feed.   Before making the decision based on others experiences or the latest baby marketing trends, read on to find out how breastfeeding benefits baby, mom and your community!

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Baby

  • Decreases risk of mortality 
  • Reduces risk for asthma, upper respiratory infections, allergies, ear infections
  • Less risk for colic, reflux, gas, diarrhea, constipation, GI pain
  • Decreases risk for obesity, type 1 diabetes, Autism, ADHD
  • Increases intelligence scores
  • Reduces risk for narrow facial development

Mom

  • decreases risk of unwanted shorter pregnancy intervals
  • Satisfies baby’s emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby
  • reduces risk of PPD
  • Helps mom to lose ‘baby weight’
  • reduces risk for high blood pressure
  • decreases risk for ovarian and breast cancers
  • increases work attendance due to healthier baby

Community

  • More bonding opportunities for parents/children
  • Higher IQ subgroups
  • Do not have to worry about dangers of manufacturing errors/formula recall
  • Reduced financial strain without costs of formula
  • decreased waste production to make formula
  • reduced health care costs
  • decreased work absenteeism of parents due to infant/toddler illness

When making the decision between breastfeeding and formula feeding, it’s important to consider how it will effect mom, partner, baby, and your community!  Research shows that breastfeeding comes with increased health benefits for both mom and baby, mentally and physically.  Exclusively breastfeeding reduces the workload and financial burden on your partner.  Finally, it reduces the carbon footprint in your community!  Want to learn more?  Join us at our Breastfeeding Basics class!  Already in the thick-of-it and needing some support?  Reach out and schedule a free screen with one of our certified lactation counselors and infant feeding specialists!

Written by: Jessica Keenan, MA, CCC-SLP/L, CLC