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Tag: reflux

Lactatation Consultation

Get Expert Lactation Help Today

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 Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBS) 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 Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBS) 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 Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBS) 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 Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBS) 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 CLEC

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

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) & 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

Ms. Kristen, MS, CCC-SLP/L, CBS

Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) & Speech Language Pathologist

Kristen is a Speech-Language Pathologist at BDI Playhouse who specializes in orofacial myofunctional disorders and is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS). Troubleshooting feeding challenges with families so that they can raise happy, healthy eaters is among the most rewarding work she has had the pleasure of doing thus far in her career! Kristen is honored to be a part of your family’s feeding journey.

AMY CLEC

Ms. Alison, MS, CCC-SLP/L, CBS

Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBS) & Speech Language Pathologist

Ms. Alison is a Speech-Language Pathologist at BDI Playhouse. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Ms. Alison specializes in orofacial myofunctional disorders and is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS). She is honored to be a part of a family’s team and support them as they overcome feeding challenges in infancy and beyond.

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

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Fixing a Flat (baby head): What is Plagiocephaly and what can I do to correct it?

What is Plagiocephaly (pronounced play-jee-oh-sef-uh-lee)?

Sometimes infants are born with or develop plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, a flat spot on the back or backside of their heads that is noticeable and may raise questions or be a cause of concern. 

Understandably, you may ask:

  • Will my baby’s head shape stay like this?  
  • Is there anything I can do to prevent or fix this?  
  • Will this affect my baby’s brain growth or development?

In the early 90’s the American Academy of Pediatrics advised parents to put babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS.  This increased the time spent with increased pressure on the baby’s head from the surfaces they rested on. This also increased the incidence of plagiocephaly (a.k.a. “flat head syndrome”).  In addition, there are dozens of baby positioning “containers” such as infant car seats, swings, and bouncy chairs that keep babies resting for longer periods on the back of their heads. Flat spots can make it challenging for babies to keep their heads in midline and they can develop a preference to turn or face toward a particular side.  These babies may be resistant to or even refuse tummy time because lifting their little heads up against gravity can seem difficult and stressful. Although this will not typically cause problems with brain development, babies that have a flat spot may experience movement preferences to one side, may not latch on for nursing as well as expected, will experience reflux or digestive issues, and may be extra fussy, colicky or more difficult to calm.  

How can I tell if my baby has a flat spot?

No two babies have the same head shape but asymmetries or flat spots are usually easy to detect if you know what to look for. Most areas will round or even out as a baby moves her head side to side, up and down, and begins to roll over in the first few months.  Take a look at the baby’s head in several positions. If Baby has a lot of hair it is good to do this while the hair is wet, such as after a bath.  

  • Look at your baby “face to face.”  Are both eyes the same size or is one wider or narrower than the other? Is one cheek puffier than the other? Does the back of his head appear unusually wide or does the head slant sharply upward from his forehead to the back of the head? Do you notice that one ear is higher or in front of the ear on the other side?  
  • Look at the baby’s head shape from behind while supporting him in sitting.  This is often the first place a flat spot is detected. Are the ears level? Does the head tilt to one side? Is the top of the head very wide compared to the area just above the neck?  
  • Now, look at the baby’s head from the top.  Is one side of the forehead more forward than the other? Can you see one cheek puffing out more than the other? Is one ear significantly positioned in front of the other?  
  • Finally, look at the baby’s head from the side.  Is there a slope from the forehead that rises to a point in the back?   

Notice if your baby’s head is moving freely with his body or is the head “planted” on the surface?  Is he beginning to lift his shoulders and arms off of the surface and is the baby beginning to bring hands or toys to his mouth?  Does the baby constantly only put one hand in his mouth or does he turn his head to mouth a toy instead of bringing the toy toward his middle.  When Baby is on his belly, can he lift his head easily up in the middle or does he usually turn it fully to one side or the other to lift it up.  These are all signs that there may indicate a muscle imbalance or be present as a result of the flat spot on a baby’s head. While none of these seem particularly alarming, they can keep your baby from developing movement and visual motor patterns that will advance him more naturally toward rolling, crawling, walking and gross motor play.

What Can I do if I notice a flat spot?

  • Provide lots of opportunities for Tummy time.  
  • Limit time in baby carriers, car seats, bouncers, swings, and containers
  • Carry baby when you can but change positions often to keep hips healthy
  • Alternate the ends of the crib for sleeping so baby will face stimulating sights or light during waking times
  • Provide visual stimulation in front of the baby that moves side to side 
  • Consult your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist if a flat spot persists for more than a few weeks.  A baby’s head shape can change quickly from birth to 6 months.  

What if the flat spot won’t go away?

If your baby’s head is held unusually still, he has a distinct head-side or position preference, he is having difficulty nursing, bottle feeding is stressful, or he is resisting positions like tummy time contact your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist who specializes in treating infants.  It is best not to take a “wait and see” approach because most of a baby’s head growth happens between birth and 6-8 months and this is the best time to make big changes in head shape and mobility.  Most consultations are free and professionals can offer advice and solutions that can help you and your baby.  

BDI Playhouse Children’s Therapy offers free screenings and consultations through Telehealth or at one of our child-friendly therapy gyms in Orland Park and Aurora, IL

Written by Sheri Ireland-Berk, PT
Physical Therapist