Merry-Go-Round

Come join us for our fundraiser for the BCB Grant Fund on Tuesday, August 18th! Have fun and help new parents at the same time. Evite is below:
http://evite.me/BCB_Jukebox_Bingo

Link to purchase tickets: https://two-tones.checkfront.com/reserve/?date=today&item_id=

Can you relate?

The BCB grant fund has allowed us to help 23 families that lacked insurance coverage for Lactation so far this year, but we are out of funds until 4/15 (we donate $1000/month to the fund). BUT, you can help us reach more families! Any donation (large or small) is appreciated and will help provide lactation support to families in need. Please consider donating!

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/8SEG4V6C3F5BJ/checkout/L6QJROS3HPPZ4TZ7CVGVRX64

Bayou City Breastfeeding BCB Grant Fund

I often get asked by parents about why they shouldn't just go and get their baby's tongue tie fixed. They ask, why do they need to see an IBCLC and bodyworker before seeing the frenotomy/frenectomy provider? And isn't it better to just get it fixed as soon as possible? What can the IBCLC and/or bodyworker do before the surgery?

While almost all babies will get some improvement with just the surgery, what we are really going for is OPTIMAL improvement -- we want the MOST improvement possible if we are going to go through this process. And we want to do everything we can to make sure that the procedure does NOT have to be done again.

It is important to understand that while the surgery gives the baby the possiblity of function, it doesn't guarantee it, or teach them how to use that new function.
This surgery affects the function of muscles, so it is effectly an orthopedic surgery more than just an oral surgery. Pretty much EVERY orthopedic surgery will be bracketed by therapy to get the best outcome. That is where the IBCLC (or SLP) comes in -- if they have the appropriate training. (Unfortunately, not all do.)

In addition, our bodies have fascial trains that connect all of our muscles. Tightness or dysfunction in the fascial train WILL affect other areas of the body. So issues with tightness in other places can and will affect oral function. Bodywork addresses these issues. And in my experience, babies who recieve bodywork before/after the procedure generally have less pain, and are more likely to get a complete release.

Lastly, the IBCLC provides guidance on the best timing for the procedure. They also provide emotional support throughout the process, which is key to reducing the overall trauma of this procedure.

We generally see clients at least once or twice before the procedure, we have our clients do a “Pre-frenotomy Prep Visit” prior to the procedure date to cover what to expect the day of the procedure, what they need to know to get the best outcome, review and practice the aftercare and give them anticipatory guidance on what to expect in the first few days after the procedure. We will often attend the procedure day with our clients. We generally see them again 3-4 days afterwards to check healing. Then they will continue to see us or their provider weekly throughout the 6-8 week healing process. As you can see, we wrap the family with support. This is why we get such great outcomes.

So if you want the best outcome from this surgery, you need a team of professionals to support you and your baby.

Exciting news!

The research is still in its early stages, but indications are that breast milk may contain antibodies that can help fight off severe cases of COVID-19. https://abc7.la/3iN3a8p

We are excited to announce the 2021 BCB Grant program to help families in need!

Fact: Unfortunately, there is little to no training provided to most providers in how to identify or treat anything other than the most obvious tongue tie -- this includes the basic training and education that dentists, pediatricians, ENTs, lactation consultants and speech language pathologists receive. Providers who are interested in working in this area must seek out additional training (continuing education) to learn how to accurately assess whether a tongue is in fact “tied,” and understand the therapy and treatment needed to address the problems that come with a tie.

There are some “red flags” that can indicate that the specific medical provider does not have the skills to assess or treat a tie.

🚩 The assessment is done just using a tongue-depressor to lift the front of the tongue.

🚩 You are told any of the following:

1️⃣ “Your child can stick out their tongue, so there is no tongue-tie”

2️⃣ “Breastfeeding always hurts at the beginning, you just need to wait for your ni***es to ‘toughen up’.”

3️⃣ “The surgery is not necessary because your baby is doing great gaining weight.”

4️⃣ “Tongue tie is an Internet fad,”

5️⃣ “Lactation consultants think every baby is tongue tied.”

6️⃣ “Your baby just has a little bit of a tie, it will stretch out over time.”

7️⃣ “Let’s wait and see if it causes speech problems later.”

8️⃣ “Breastfeeding is not a good reason to have a tongue tie surgery.”

9️⃣ “You need to wait until your child is older to have this procedure.”

🔟 “X-type of providers are only doing this procedure to make money.”

🚩 The assessment/exam is completed by only looking in the baby’s mouth and is very quick — usually less than a couple of minutes. (This may not be true for very obvious ties.)

So how is a parent to know if their provider is skilled in assessment and treatment of a tie?

❓ Ask what specific training they have had in this field, or what organizations they are members of.
Here are some (not all) examples of the training and organizations that are available to professionals working in this field. Many of these have searchable directories.

🔹 IBCLC Masterclass: Oral rehabilitation of the breastfeeeding dyad (Open only to IBCLCs) (https://www.ibclcmasterclass.com/attendees)

🔹 Talk Tools - not all classes are about ties ( https://talktools.com/)

🔹 Chrysalis Oralfacial training by Autumn Read Henning (https://www.chrysalisorofacial.com/resources)

🔹 TummyTime™️ Method and other classes by Michelle Price Emanuel
(https://www.tummytimemethod.com/professional-directory.html)

🔹 Myowild Training (Michale Chatham) (https://www.myowild.com/store/c1/HealthandWellness)

🔹 The Breathe Institute (https://www.thebreatheinstitute.com/)

🔹 International Association of Oral Myofacial Therapists (https://www.iaom.com/certification/)

🔹 International Association of Tongue Tie Professionals (https://tonguetieprofessionals.org/)

🔹 International Consortium of Ankyloglossia Professionals (https://www.icapprofessionals.com/)

🔹 Anklyoglossia Body Workers website
http://www.ankyloglossiabodyworkers.com/

‼️ Know what a full assessment looks like and entails.

https://www.drghaheri.com/blog/2014/2/15/how-to-examine-a-baby-for-tongue-tie-or-lip-tie

▶️ The exam should include history and both a functional and an anatomical assessment.

▶️ The provider should collect a full history that covers all possible symptomatic areas (feeding, digestive, sleep, airway, speech, etc.).

▶️ It should include a full oral exam (usually performed with the child’s head towards the provider and feet pointing away from the provider), where the frenulum(s) are visually assessed.

▶️ The functional assessment requires the practitioner to observe the patient performing normal activities, such as feeding, eating, talking, playing and/or sleeping.

▶️ The provider should be checking the child’s oral functions (suck, lift, extension, lateralization, peristalsis, etc.).

▶️ Ideally, the provider should be using one of the standardized and validated tools for assessment and documentation. Examples of these tools include the Hazelbaker Oral Assessment, Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool, and Martinelli Tongue Tie Assessment tool, etc.

▶️ The provider should also be examining the infant for other issues that can mimic or be related to a tie, such as torticollis, plagiocephaly or muscle tightness

▶️ Ideally the provider should provide documentation via photos and written documentation indicating what functional deficits (if any) were noted. This is especially important to be able to document improvement with any therapy or surgery.

▶️ Full assessments usually take a significant amount of time and cannot be adequately performed in a 10-15 minute appointment..

❓ Ask about their experience.
How long have they been working with oral restrictions and how many patients they see weekly or monthly for this issue? If they perform this procedure, ask how many procedures they do each month.

❓ Ask what resources do they refer to?
If there is a functional deficit or related issues identified in the exam, the provider should have recommendations for referrals for the appropriate team to address these issues. This is usually more than just referring to the frenotomy provider to have the tie “clipped.”

Breastmilk is so important for improving the health of premature babies. A study concluded that there is strong evidence that breastmilk is protective against various premature complications.
Based on this, we know that the more breastmilk the preterm infant receives the better the baby’s outcome will be.

Source:
Miller J, Tonkin E, Damarell RA, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Milk Feeding and Morbidity in Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Check out the new office for Bayou City Breastfeeding!

We are excited to announce that we have a new office location in Conroe! Located next to Conroe Regional Medical Center, this location is inside the new Transmed Health and Wellness building. So if you are on the far north side of Houston, we are here for you!

📍 2510 SOUTH LOOP 336 WEST, SUITE 215-H, CONROE, TX 77304

WHY SHOULD YOU SEE US?
Parents are often amazed at the wide range of things that we can help with. It is not just about breastfeeding! Hopefully this list will help give you a better idea.

PRENATALLY
✔️Preparing for a successful breastfeeding experience
✔️Basic breastfeeding education
✔️Choosing a breast pump
✔️Prenatal nutrition for optimal breastfeeding
✔️induced lactation, co-nursing, adoptive nursing, breastfeeding without birthing
✔️Assessing breastfeeding difficulties from a prior breastfeeding experience
✔️Assessing for risk factors for breastfeeding problems (milk supply, infant issues, etc.)

BREASTFEEDING IN THE EARLY DAYS
✔️How to know if breastfeeding is going well
✔️What to do when your baby is cluster feeding
✔️Making latching or positioning more comfortable for the breastfeeding parent
✔️Making sure your baby is getting enough breast milk
✔️How to establish and increase your milk supply
✔️What to do if you make too much breast milk for your baby
✔️Breastfeeding a premature baby (preemie) or a baby in NICU
✔️Establishing a good milk supply when breastfeeding or exclusively pumping
✔️Understanding infant sleep and feeding patterns

COMMON BREASTFEEDING CONCERNS
✔️Correcting a painful breastfeeding latch
✔️Preventing and treating breast pain and sore ni***es
✔️Preventing and treating mastitis and plugged ducts
✔️Thrush and other ni**le or breast infections
✔️How to stop using a ni**le shield
✔️How to nurse twins or other multiples
✔️Knowing how medications interact with breastfeeding
✔️Planning for returning to work
✔️What to do when your baby refuses to breastfeed (nursing strikes)
✔️What to do when your baby starts teething
✔️What to eat when breastfeeding (breastfeeding diet)
✔️Losing weight and exercising while breastfeeding)
✔️Questions about drinking alcohol and breastfeeding.

BOTTLE FEEDING BREASTMILK OR FORMULA
✔️How to bottle feed
✔️What if baby is refusing the bottle
✔️Which bottle is best for your baby
✔️What do you do if your baby chokes or coughs while bottle feeding
✔️How much milk should your baby be drinking by bottle
✔️How to store breast milk safely
✔️How to properly prepare baby formula
✔️Bottle feeding at daycare or by another caregiver

BABY CONCERNS
✔️How to help a baby with a milk allergy or other allergies and sensitivities
✔️What to do if your baby has acid reflux or colic symptoms
✔️How and when to do tummy time
✔️How to prevent a flat head and what to do about it(plagiocephaly)

PUMPING CONCERNS
✔️When and how to use your breast pump
✔️Exclusively pumping
✔️Selecting the correct breast pump fl**ge size
✔️Power pumping and other strategies to increase milk supply
✔️What to do if pumping is painful
✔️Do you need a freezer stash, and if so, how to manage it

TETHERED ORAL TISSUES (TONGUE TIE) CONCERNS
✔️Assessing and managing ties
✔️Recovering from infant frenectomy, frenotomy, and frenulectomy procedures
✔️Rehabilitating oral function for the breastfeeding infant

OTHER CONCERNS
✔️How and when to introduce solids (baby-led weaning)
✔️What to do if you become pregnant while breastfeeding
✔️Tandem nursing (multiples, or nursing a baby and a toddler)
✔️Breastfeeding beyond the first year
✔️How to stop breastfeeding and wean

🌐 bayoucitybreastfeeding.com

Contact us ⬇️
📱 281-305-0411
🏢Office and 🏠Home visits
📹 Virtual visits via telehealth
⚕️ Some insurance accepted

Tessa is one of the founding IBCLCs of Bayou City Breastfeeding. She has been helping parents and babies with breastfeeding since 2008.

“I have a true passion for helping moms breastfeed their babies, I can’t believe I get to do what I love for a living. I am truly blessed.”

Read more about Tessa here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/bayou-city-breastfeeding-lactation-consultants/meet-tessa-gardin-ibclc-rlc/2052462021546941

Many new moms worry when baby suddenly goes from feeding every few hours to demanding to nurse all the time. But cluster feedings lasting just a few days usually have more to do with times of rapid change than with your supply.

Growth spurts usually last two or three days and happen at about 1 week old, 3 weeks old, 6 weeks old, and again at 3, 4, 6, and 9 months old.
_____
Contact us ⬇️
🌐 www.bayoucitybreastfeeding.com
📱 281-305-0411

If you are Exclusively Pumping -- you ARE a BREASTFEEDING parent, and we are here to support YOU! --> https://tx-ibclc.com/amanda

It's not just about breastfeeding...we do SO MUCH MORE! --> https://tx-ibclc.com/Ludmila

This made our day 🥰 -- Read Patricia's story here --> https://tx-ibclc.com/Patricia

Navigating the process can be challenging...we are here to help https://tx-ibclc.com/Kallie

Having nursing or infant feeding issues?

Check out this list of common symptoms caused by tongue and lip ties. If you think your baby may have a tie, best place to start is with a trained IBCLC to do a functional assessment and help you determine next steps.

If your little one does need to have a surgery to correct the tie, the IBCLC will provide pre- and post-surgery exercises to get your baby ready for the procedure, and then help teach your baby how to properly use their tongue after the surgery. If the baby does need a surgery to correct an oral restriction, we get the BEST outcomes when the surgery is bracketed by therapy and exercises.

Remember that the surgery just give the baby the possibility of function, but does not guarantee that they will be know how to use their new range of motion.

Contact us ⬇️

🌐 www.tx-ibclc.com
📱 281-305-0411
🏢Office and 🏠Home visits
📹 Virtual visits via telehealth
⚕️ Some insurance accepted


📍 3100 RICHMOND AVE #401, HOUSTON, TX 77098
📍 1621 LAKEVILLE DR #301, KINGWOOD TX 77339
📍 10555 PEARLAND PARKWAY I, HOUSTON TX 77089
📍 OPENING IN AUGUST: 2510 SOUTH LOOP 336 WEST, SUITE 215-H, CONROE, TX 77304

Tongue tie can cause a lot of problems with infant feeding, and it is a hot topic in today's world. But what exactly is tongue-tie and what should you do about it?

Read more here.... https://tx-ibclc.com/TongueTie

Contact us ⬇️
🌐 www.tx-ibclc.com
📱 281-305-0411
🏢Office and 🏠Home visits
📹 Virtual visits via telehealth
⚕️ Some insurance accepted

📍 OFFICES IN HOUSTON, KINGWOOD, and PEARLAND

CONROE office opening in August

can make depression even worse. Reach out today and check in with your friends that are new parents. You can make a difference in someone’s life today, with a simple text, note or call. Be that person!

And Houston Peeps should check out The Center for Postpartum Family Health

Read our latest Blog post with 8 Tips for partners to support breastfeeding:
https://tx-ibclc.com/partners

Contact us ⬇️
🌐 www.tx-ibclc.com
📱 281-305-0411
🏢Office and 🏠Home visits
📹 Virtual visits via telehealth
⚕️ Some insurance accepted

Top tips to 👆 supply:
1. 🤱 Empty the breasts often.
2. 🌛 Add in a MOTN Milk Removal.
3. 👶 Make sure baby is feeding effectively.
4. 🍼 Avoid pacifiers & artificial ni***es
5. 💡 If supplementing, use an at-breast supplementer
6. 😀 Add in a silicone breast pump
7. 🍎 Take care of mama
8. 💦 Adequate hydration
9. ⁉️ Use your pump correctly
10. ✋🏾 Breast compression, massage & hand expression
11. 💪🏽 Power pumping
12. 👩🏽‍🔧 IBCLC support
Want more details? Read our blog post here--> https://tx-ibclc.com/MilkSupply

Skin-to-Skin -- It's not just for after delivery!

We know about skin-to-skin immediately after birth, but we don't often talk about how skin-to-skin can help after the first few days.

❓ Want to improve breastfeeding?
❓ Fussy baby?
❓ Need more milk?
❓ Baby in pain?

❗ Put baby Skin-to-Skin for the win!

Contact us ⬇️
🌐 www.bayoucitybreastfeeding.com
📱 281-305-0411

For some parents, breastfeeding makes them have negative feelings or even the feeling of their skin itching or crawling.
Because these conditions (BAA and D-MER) are NOT well-researched or understood, parents often find a LACK OF SUPPORT and information on this.
If you are experiencing negative emotions while breastfeeding, reach out to support resources and your IBCLC for help.

More info/sources:
https://www.breastfeedingaversion.com/
https://d-mer.org/

Contact us:
281-305-0411

Updated guidance from the CDC

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.

Did you know that breastmilk contains for the specific viruses in the baby’s environment?

Research identified antibodies in breastmilk for SARS (a similar type of ), so expecting to find COVID-19 antibodies in breastmilk is perfectly reasonable. Research is currently underway in both San Diego and New York!

So we effectively DO have a treatment for -19 — it is !! ❤️

But it is not just about the antibodies. Breastmilk has HUNDREDS of other components that support the baby’s immune system and ensure optimal nutrition and growth. Breastmilk is the ONLY food that is perfectly designed for human babies.

So, we really think the guidance from all major health organizations SHOULD be that ALL babies and parents, regardless of COVID status, should receive support and encouragement to provide BREASTMILK to their infant to protect the baby from Coronavirus and other illnesses and provide optimal nutrition and growth.

Breastfeeding can be challenging, but you are not without help! Reach out to an IBCLC in your community. Even if you don’t have someone in your community who is still providing in-person support, there are Telehealth IBCLCs (like us) who offer virtual consultations for their clients. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, please let us know! http://www.bayoucitybreastfeeding.com



Read more here:
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/135/1/1/4663581

Have questions about breastfeeding and COVID-19?

Breastfeeding and COVID-19 - https://mailchi.mp/43283e064d79/breastfeeding-and-covid-19 Your questions answered here...

This is a great choice if you are expecting

Coronavirus Has Pregnant Women Seeking Out-of-Hospital Births, Midwives Pregnant women are heading for the hills to give birth, anywhere away from a hospital.