The Gentle Village, Perth, WA Videos

Amazing explanation by @holisticlactation of how a baby uses their tongue when feeding!!! “Tongue elevation is key to effective nursing. Without full range of motion of the tongue, the mechanics of breastfeeding suffer and either the baby or mom (or both) will have to compensate for this. Sometimes those compensations are able to overcome the issues and sustain good nursing. Other times, the dysfunction is so severe that the well-being of the mother and baby are compromised. A tongue tie is a “tethered” tongue—meaning the tongue is tied down to the floor of the mouth. This doesn’t necessarily prevent the tongue from sticking out or moving side-to-side, but it does prevent it from fully elevating” Thank you @holisticlactation for this incredible explanation! #tonguetie #tonguetiesupport #tonguetiebabies #tonguetiedbaby #tonguetiedbabies #tonguetiebaby #tetheredoraltissues #ankyloglossia #tonguetierelease #liptie #ibclc #lactationconsultant

Have a distracted little feeder? Although it can be challenging trying to feed your distracted baby, it’s important to note that this is a very normal part of their development. Your baby becoming distracted can start anywhere from 8-10 weeks of age. It usually peaks between 3-5 months of age (coinciding with their vision developing even more so!) before it passes. When it passes may depend on your little one though! It is such a tricky phase but it eventually does pass, mamas! So try these handy tips and tricks to make this phase a bit more bearable! 🤍 Try feeding in a quiet, boring and/or dark room. Even teddies or pictures on the wall can be a distraction! 🤍 If you’re out and about - you can try and cover your little one with a thin blanket (making sure to allow for plenty ventilation). 🤍 Try and feed your baby when they’re just stirring or still a little drowsy - some babies are happier to feed when they’re half asleep. 🤍 Try different feeding positions or walking, rocking during feeds or feed your baby in a carrier/sling. 🤍 Try using a teething necklace or placing a sticker on your top to distract your baby during feeds. Keeping them engaged close to the breast can be helpful. 🤍 Try wearing a colourful top or a top with different patterns 🤍 Have your baby hold on to something - like a soft toy, chew toy or anything baby safe! 🤍 Use white noise - anything that sounds like a humming sound or a similar low noise 🤍 If your baby is too distracted, pause the feed and try again in 15 minutes or so. 🤍 For mamas with toddlers! Take your toddler to the toilet, set them up with toys/play time or a snack/meals to keep them busy while you feed. If your baby is too distracted during the day, they may feed better at night. Does it mean more night wakings? Potentially, yes! Your baby may take in the volume they haven’t consumed throughout the day at night. Remember mama, although this phase is normal it can be exhausting

Your baby’s ability to poke their tongue out doesn’t mean that they don’t have a tongue tie! I have been fairly frustrated these past few weeks hearing a mama say that they were told no tongue tie because a baby can stick their tongue out! Yet, before I’ve even performed an oral assessment, I can see so many 🚩 of oral dysfunction! 😤 Yes, for some babies with a tongue tie, they may not be able to poke their tongue out past their lips. But to be honest, most babies can! Regardless, whether they can or can’t poke their tongue out means absolutely nothing when it comes to breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby! Tongue elevation is the most important function! We want your baby to be able to elevate the tongue to gently press your breast/bottle teat to the palate! That is the function that is most important for feeding and swallowing effectively! Even for us! ⭐️ think about how we eat and drink - just like in this video - unless we are licking an ice cream, licking our lips or poking your tongue out at someone. That’s the only time we would stick our tongue out! So, If you are concerned about your little one having a tongue tie and you are told that your baby doesn’t have one because they can stick their tongue out! Find someone who is trained in TOTs and oral function! ➡️ It was actually really awkward to try and swallow with my tongue sticking out and I gulped a lot of air and burped loudly after 🙈 I’d love for you to try and swallow water with your tongue sticking out! If you found it hard or awkward to swallow like this, then leave a 👅 in the comments! #tongueelevation #oralfunction #oraldysfunction #clickingduringfeeds #clickingnoise #aerophagia #colickybaby #colic #refluxbaby #babyreflux #airinducedreflux #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiedbabies #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedba

This is way too good that I just had to share it on here! Remember it’s not about the type of release performed but by the provider doing the release. That diamond shape wound is so important! 🔥 📹 @drghaheri shared with @withregram Do yourselves a favour and follow @drghaheri he is an absolute wealth of knowledge and I have learnt so much from in the last few years! 📖🤓 #tongueelevation #oralfunction #oraldysfunction #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiedbabies #tonguetierelease #tonguetierevision #frenectomy #frenotomy #ankyloglossia #ankyloglossiaawareness #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #ibclc #lactationconsultant #learnwithme

Have you had a health professional dismiss your concerns about a tongue tie because your baby can poke their tongue out? 👅 Did you know that your baby sticking their tongue out is only one function (out of a quite a few) that a professional trained in oral dysfunction checks for? Tongue extension is actually NOT the most important function your baby needs to do to breastfeed or bottle feed efficiently. Your baby needs to be able to elevate their tongue up to the palate to create more of a vacuum on the breast and bottle. This helps your baby feed a lot more efficiently with less air intake, milk spillage etc. Your baby making this “clicking” noise is a sign of oral dysfunction and warrants support from an IBCLC trained in oral function and assessments. Have a clicky baby? Or does your baby feel chewy? Then try this tip we’ve just shared with you! Hands up who was told that their baby didn’t have a tongue tie because they could stick their tongue out? 🙋🏽‍♀️ #tongueelevation #oralfunction #oraldysfunction #clickingduringfeeds #clickingnoise #aerophagia #colickybaby #colic #refluxbaby #babyreflux #airinducedreflux #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiedbabies #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #ibclc #lactationconsultant #learnwithme

Looks can be deceiving, especially with baby vomit! 🤮 My daughter was a chucker! She would go from small vomits to big chucks. The amount of photos I have of poor dad, myself or the floor covered in vomit! I would freak out and think she had chucked up all of her milk and I would offer her more milk - yet she would only take another 20-60ml! So clearly not her entire feed, even though it looked like it! Tag a mama who needs to see this! #babyvomit #babyvomiting #speweybaby #refluxbaby #refluxbabyproblems #tonguetiebabies #tonguetiebaby #aerophagia #swallowingair #dairyintolerance #dairyintolerancebaby

I have had my fair share of battles when it has come to seeking answers for my children, especially Brodie and his medical needs. I had a CHN tell me to “stop being a nurse and be a mum” when I questioned my sons mobility. I was told by a paediatrician that “i needed to learn to accept no as an answer” This enraged me. I felt so unheard and angry with the system, with the health professionals that were supposed to be helping me. I didn’t want to give up because I knew something was not right with boy. I fought for answers - even with proof. You see my son doesn’t meet the stereotypical cerebral palsy diagnosis. He doesn’t meet the stereotypical autism diagnosis. He also doesn’t meet the stereotypical diagnosis of seizures (he was diagnosed with autonomic seizures). I trust my gut and kept seeking answers, seeking other health professionals that would listen. It took a few doctors but once I found the right specialist who KNEW what I was talking about…it became all so simple! I was listening to a podcast yesterday on autism and what it takes to be a warrior parent. I loved how they mentioned that we are the CEO’s of our children! It’s ok to take charge or control when trying to seek answers. It’s ok to trust your mama instinct that tells you something isn’t right with your baby. It’s more than ok to seek 2,3, 4 opinions if need be. Because the truth is, not everyone has the answers that you may be seeking. Us, as health professionals, do not practice the same. We are not all trained the same. This is why you will get the answers that you fee are suited to your situation and sometimes you may not. Seeking another opinion doesn’t make you an anxious parent, an overprotective parent, doesn’t make you a hypochondriac. It makes you the CEO of your baby! 💕 So if what you are told doesn’t feel right to you, it’s probably because it is isn’t right and it’s ok to find another person that will help you and your baby! L

Does your baby suffer from trapped wind or colicky symptoms? Then give the “sushi roll” a go! The “sushi roll” is a great way to help your baby release that trapped wind and make them feel comfortable! Plus it’s a nice little lower back stretch 🙌🏼 Does the “sushi roll” work on your baby? #babywind #babygas #gassybaby #gassybabyproblems #trappedwind #colic #colicbaby #colicbabyproblems #colicbabyhelp #babytips #newborntips #newborntipsandtricks #colickybaby #babyfarts

Have you ever seen a baby with lip blisters? or perhaps a baby looking like they are wearing lip liner (two toned lips)? Although these blisters and two toned lips are common it’s not normal! Lip blisters and two toned lips are usually a sign of latch problems/difficulties. Babies may have lip changes from overuse of their lip muscle (orbicularis oris). If you want to learn more on this, @wholechildcoau has just done a brilliant post on feeding skills and the different facial muscles your baby uses during breast and/or bottle feeding! What are some signs that your little one is overusing their lips? 👄 Shallow latch - this could be from poor positioning during feeds, high palate, oral restrictions and/or body tension. 👄 Prem babies - Little premies do not have well developed cheek fat pads in comparison to a term baby. The function of these fat pads is for sucking and enhancing the capabilities of the buccinators and other masticatory muscles. It helps to support the tongue to make sucking more efficient. Without these fat pads, babies use alternative facial muscles to maintain a latch, hence the lip blisters. 👄 Oral ties - Lip blisters and/or two toned lips are a classic sign of oral ties, where the lips are compensating for the lack of range of movement and strength of the tongue because it’s being held to the floor of the mouth. This is where you may feel your little one “chewing” rather than “sucking” while on the breast. For mamas who have had little bubs with lip blisters or two toned lips - I’m sure you may have felt the discomfort or pain during feeds but let’s put it in this perspective for you ⬇️ Try holding a carrot stick in your mouth approximately 2-3cm in. Do you feel the support with the tongue and cheeks? Now try holding the carrot stick really shallow using your lips and front teeth can you feel the muscles around your lips working hard? This is what happens when a baby has a shallow latch - and why mamas may e

I know that sometimes it may feel like all your baby needs is to have that tongue tie released for breastfeeding to improve, or their colic and has symptoms to reduce and perhaps have them sleeping better. I get it, it’s very tempting and why wouldn’t you want to jump to it if that’s what you’re told? But little ones (and adults) benefit from optimal timing of restricted frenulum’s, such as a tongue tie. Every baby is different! So the amount of ‘therapy’ that is need before a tongue tie release can significantly differ from another baby. Some babies do really well after a release without oral exercises and bodywork, but for most babies, not much changes. So why is that? Well, the tongue development process begins around the 4-5th of gestation and is an extremely sensitive organ that performs on a complex muscle background. During the embryonic stage, apoptosis occurs and this is where our lingual frenulum forms (and also restricted frenulum’s). By 12 weeks gestation, your little one starts move their tongue, suctioning with the tongue and he/she will also begin to swallow amniotic fluid. Around the 18th-20th week gestation, your little one starts to perform for effective swallowing and more complex sucking. This is where your little one will begin hand to face movements too. Around 28-31 weeks gestation, he/she may begin to suck their hands, fingers and perhaps their umbilical cord. Around the 35th week of gestation, your little ones suck/swallowing sequence begins to develop and getting ready for life outside the womb. So you can see, a tongue tie can be formed in that first trimester of pregnancy and your baby has learnt to suck and swallow, perhaps dysfunctionally, for at least 15-20 weeks. This is why all babies respond differently to a release. For some babies that it may work “well”, are we basing the results on pain free breastfeeding? Or through your baby’s symptoms and oral functional assessment? What’s one

⭐️ Make sure to turn up the volume! ⭐️ Let’s talk latch first! 🤍 Top lip is in neutral position, with no visible tension around it. 💫 A baby’s upper lip only needs to rest in a neutral or slightly everted position to seal at the breast during breastfeeding. It does not need to flange outwards (like a “special K” shape) to breastfeed effectively and comfortably. 🤍 Nose is away from the breast (it doesn’t always have to be - the tip of the nose can be gently pressing on the breast. This will depend on the size of a mamas breast). 🤍 Chin is tucked in nicely to mamas breast 🤍 Baby has most of mamas areola in her mouth (especially around the lower jaw). 🤍 Mama is gently supporting the back of her little one’s neck and shoulders (not the back of her baby’s head). 🤍 Her little one is placed nicely chest to chest with mama. Now let’s talk about that swallowing! Can you hear the: ❤️ Beautiful soft audible swallows! This is a great way to hear a little one transferring milk. When you hear a lot of loud gulping, yes you’re little one is swallowing milk, but also potentially a lot of air. So the amount they transfer may not be as much as we anticipate. ❤️ Can you hear the long drawn out sucking that this gorgeous baby is doing? ❤️ Swallowing well, and pausing as she needs, with mamas letdown. If you’re concerned about your little one’s latch (breast or bottle) and/or milk transfer, then please make sure to book in with an IBCLC to help you! Thank you to this beautiful mama that allowed me to share with you what the perfect little swallows can sound like 💕 Who else loves to hear a baby’s little swallows when drinking milk, breast or bottle? 🥹🙋🏽‍♀️ #breastmilk #babyswallows #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #ibclc #lactationcon

Behind the scenes with @loveolive.photography and my little helper for our second business anniversary photo shoot! I love love love that my baby girl always says to me “When I grow up I’m going to work with babies like you, mummy” 🥹 Argh, my heart can’t deal with how kind (yet fiercely strong-willed) she is! Thank you @loveolive.photography for capturing her forever cheeky, forever loving personality! #mumanddaughter #mumanddaughtertime #familyphotography #familyphotographer #behindthescenes #bts

“Just because you think it, doesn’t mean you have to say it.” #newmum #newmom #newmama #mumlife #momlife #newmomproblems #newmumproblems #stupidthingsmumsgettold #breastfeeding #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingmum #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #bottlefeedingmama #tonguetie #tonguetiebabies #youcantspoilababy #lowmilksupply #breastmilk #unsupportivecomments #juststopit #besupportive #bekind #bekindtoothers

Hands up who’s been told “your latch looks fine” but it just didn’t feel right or it was too painful? 👉🏻 How it “looks” may not always truely reflect what’s going on! #sucktraining #sucktrainingexercises #oralexercisesforbabies #oralfunction #oraldysfunction #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiebabies #oralfunctionalassessment #oralassessment #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #ibclc #lactationconsultant

My post holiday blues were easily forgotten about today thanks to this gorgeous and happy little man! Mama had noticed massive improvements with breastfeeding only a few days in from commencing his pre-release therapy. His beautiful mama did a magnificent job with working on his oral function and reducing his body tension with oral and body exercises and also seeing an osteopath 3-4 weeks before his release! This is 2 weeks post tongue tie release and he is seriously a different kid! A much more content, happy and relaxed little breastfeeding cherub! 😍 Thank you to the beautiful mama who allowed me to share their story with you all! What changes did you notice after your baby had his/her oral ties released? #tongue #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiedbaby #oralfunction #tonguetieexercises #tongueexercises #oralexercises #bodywork #bodyworkforbabies #tonguetiebodywork #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #ibclc #lactationconsultant #osteopathy #chiropractic #muscletensionrelief #muscletension #connectivetissuetension

Tongue function is so important! When we examine your baby’s oral function, many of the compensations that your baby may have developed due to poor tongue function are usually quite obvious. Sometimes it’s so obvious just through observation (such as open mouth posture during rest/sleep). When tongue function is poor, the “wait and see” method can be detrimental to your baby’s ability to learn how to use their tongue correctly. I mean why should we wait to help fix a problem when we can prevent it, right? Fixing a problem can be much more costly to a family in the long run - more myofunctional therapy, more IBCLC appointments, more anatomy/oral structure work with a paediatric dentist. The list goes on. When your baby is diagnosed with a tongue tie, it’s so important that the diagnosis is paired with an oral functional assessment! HCP’s should learn to identify these compensations so terms such as “mild” or “slight” or “little” tongue tie can stopped being used! Just by looking at what a tongue tie looks like without a proper functional assessment is not an accurate way of diagnosing oral restrictions. Are you concerned that your baby may have an oral restriction? Or have you been told your baby has a tongue tie but it’s mild and to leave it. Then please book in for an oral functional assessment! Remember virtual consults available 💕 #tongueposture #oralfunction #oraldysfunction #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiebabies #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #ibclc #lactationconsultant #midwife #learnwithme

A typical swallow sound sounds like a soft “cuh cuh cuh” sound. Like you hear in this little beauty at the start of a feed! When a baby gulps milk down, they are usually swallowing air as well. Definitely not ideal or comfortable for your little one! Think about when you are really thirsty and you guzzle down a glass of water - Do you hear all the gulping sounds you make when swallowing? Do you feel full and bloated and need to let out a burp from chugging that glass of water down fast? Well that’s exactly what’s happening to your little one when they are feeding! 👉🏻 unfortunately, these are little ones who will most likely struggle with lots of wind pain, trapped wind and/or spitting up frequently 💔 So what are some reasons why your little one may be gulping milk? ⭐️ Overactive letdown which causes a fast/forceful flow. This mama has an overactive letdown on one breast. Notice the difference in how her little one feeds? ⭐️ Oversupply issue ⭐️ Fast flowing bottle teat to what your baby can handle ⭐️ Oral dysfunction - from tongue ties, laryngomalacia or tracheomalacia. ⭐️ Can be behavioural - especially around that 4 month mark where your little one becomes so distracted during feeds and pulls away from the breast/bottle while swallowing milk (as long as it’s not happening frequently). When babies gulp a lot of milk (and/or make a lot of clicking noises) they are taking in lots of air, so they need to be burped! I’m sure most of you have heard at some point in time that breastfed babies do not need to be burped. But that’s not true, they can and should still burp! If they have a good seal and are swallowing milk gently and calmly then perhaps they may not burp, and that’s ok. But a breastfed baby that is gulping lots of milk will always need a burp during or after a feed, not just bottle fed babies! If your little one is suffering from a lot of wind pain or constantly spitting up and are also gulping at

What’s the worst type of bottle? 👇🏻 🙅🏽‍♀️ The ones that mention it looks and feels like a breast! 🚩 Instead look at the shape of the teat! We want a gradual incline of the teat to encourage a deeper latch. 🍼 Remember to always start off on a slow flow teat first! If I had to choose my favourites teats are the @pigeonbabyau wide neck teats! * not sponsored at all! I just really really like these teats for my babies! * How many bottles/teats did you use on your little one before finding the right one? #oralfunction #oraldysfunction #tonguetie #tonguetied #tonguetiebabies #breastfeeding #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedinghelp #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingmama #bottlefeedingbaby #bottlefeeding #bottlefed #bottlefedbaby #babybottle #babybottles #formulafed #formulafedbaby #formulafedbabies #newparent #newparentstobe #expectingparents #expectingparent #parentingtips #parenting #parenthood #ibclc #lactationconsultant