GOLD Learning Speakers

IBCLCs assess chest/breast and bottle feeding skills, and infant’s oral and body structures and motions that contribute to, or inhibit, the process of feeding as well as post-feeding comfort. When infants present with feeding dysfunction, the root of the issue is often tight frenulum (ties), or asymmetric/tense muscles/fascia, or both. IBCLCs help families navigate the differential assessment of feeding dysfunction, and at the same time support the family’s feeding and milk supply choices. This presentation will examine the bigger picture of assessment when ties are suspected. Because a narrow focus on only the oral cavity can negate other contributing factors, initial and follow-up assessments need to include not just what is going on in the infant’s mouth, but also take into account the infant’s body as a whole, family dynamics, feeding goals, and the creation of a manageable plan for the family. IBCLCs aid with oral/body exercises, referrals for oral evaluations and/or bodywork, help with pre/post frenotomy oral skills, and more - helping to adjust the care plan as infant feeding skills and parent goals grow and change. Developing the skill of big picture assessment is crucial in order to determine the best course of clinical care, meet the families needs, and allow for the best possible outcome.

IBCLCs assess chest/breast and bottle feeding skills and infant’s oral and body anatomy, and the motions that contribute to, or inhibit, the process of feeding as well as post-feeding comfort (digestion and elimination for infant, breast comfort for parent). When infants present with feeding dysfunction, the root of the issue could be from a variety of sources - effects of in utero positioning, prematurity, effects of birth interventions, tight frenulum (ties), asymmetric/tense muscles/fascia, neurological/ reflexive issues, low/high muscular tone, or suckling discoordination, suck-swallow-breathe discoordination, laryngomalacia, compensations for low supply, cleft lip/palate, and more. IBCLCs help families navigate the differential assessment of feeding dysfunction, and at the same time support the family’s feeding and milk supply choices. This presentation will examine the role of the IBCLC when suckling dysfunction is occurring - for example aiding with latch and bottle feeding, oral/body exercises, referrals for oral evaluations and/or bodywork, or help with frenotomy pre/post work if needed. IBCLCs adjust the care plan as the infant’s feeding skills and parents’ goals grow and change. Developing the skills to aid oral function, and coordinate with specialized practitioners to aid this process, is crucial in order to determine the best course of clinical care, meet the families needs, and allow for the best possible outcome.