Infant Feeding & Tongue-Tie Practitioners in Chester
Professional & Caring Support Throughout Your Feeding Journey
We Are Qualified Lactation Consultants and Tongue-Tie Practitioners
We’re Laura and Sharon, the founders of Tongue-Tie North West. We launched our business when we realised there was a distinct lack of support for parents experiencing tongue-tie and other feeding-related issues in young babies.
We are both qualified International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), and our past experience (Laura as a health visitor and Sharon as a midwife and both having held NHS infant feeding lead positions) means we have a huge wealth of experience and qualifications, with over 40 years’ combined experience between us.
We can offer help with:
- Tongue-tie assessment
- Tongue-tie division (frenulotomy)
- Feeding assessment
- Lactation support (breastfeeding and over or undersupply)
- Bottlefeeding support
- Support with CMPA/allergies
- Colic/reflux support
- Support for unsettled babies
- Expressing breastmilk support and flange fitting service
- Feeding plans
- Follow-up support (included as standard)
- Enhanced feeding packages
- Baby weigh-ins
- Relactation
- Antenatal workshops
- Support with introducing solid foods (weaning)
- Support with twins and multiples.
We are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and we are committee members of the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners (ATP). We are also registered with the IBCLC-led project run by the charity Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK.
Our Tongue-Tie Service
Tongue-tie affects babies in so many ways, and it often goes undiagnosed. Babies with a tongue-tie might have trouble latching to a breast or bottle, feed for a long time, struggle with weight gain, or cough or make clicking noises during feeding.
Your initial appointment will include a complete feeding and oral assessment. If tongue-tie is diagnosed, we can perform the division on the same day in most cases.
As there are two practitioners present, you aren’t expected to hold your baby’s head during the division.
Our Feeding Support Service
We are qualified health professionals and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). An IBCLC is a highly recognised credential for breastfeeding care, which allows us to assess the issues parents are facing, including:
- Pain when breastfeeding
- Bleeding or cracked nipples
- Fussing during feeds
- Bottle refusal
- Weight gain issues
During your 60-minute assessment, we review the latch, the positioning and the oral anatomy of the baby to determine what the problem is, and then come up with a plan to resolve it. One follow-up session is included to ensure the solution is working for everyone.
Why Book With Tongue-Tie North West?
Besides our 100+ 5* reviews from happy and relieved parents, there are a number of reasons why you should book an assessment with Tongue-Tie North West.
| Reason | Tongue-Tie North West | Other Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Two-clinical team for assessment & procedure* | Yes (you won't need to hold your baby) | Usually one clinician |
| Registered healthcare professionals | NMC registered health visitor and midwife, 45+ years combined experience | Often only 1 practitioner, not always highly experienced |
| Fully accredited IBCLCs | Both practitioners hold an IBCLC | Sometimes no specialist infant feeding qualifications |
| Appointment length | 60 minutes (time to listen is important) | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Follow-up included | Face-to-face follow up appointment included as standard | Follow up usually charged at an additional fee |
| Setting | Homely, dedicated clinic with easy parking | Varies, often hired rooms |
| Value for money** | Best in North West | Higher cost or fewer inclusions |
| Appointment | Daytime, evening and weekend | Limited |
* Occasionally, appointments may be with one practitioner. You’ll be notified in advance.
** We regularly check our prices and aim to be the best value for money for our customers.
What Parents Say About Us
Infant Feeding & Tongue-Tie Practitioners
NMC-Registered Healthcare Professionals
Clinic Based in Chester
Home Visits Available
Comprehensive Packages of Care
What is Tongue-Tie?
A tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia) occurs when the piece of skin underneath the tongue (known as the lingual frenulum) is shorter or tighter than usual. This membrane connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, which is why tongue-tie can cause feeding issues for babies and restricted movements of the tongue.
Research shows that as many as 1 in 10 (10%) of babies are born with a more restrictive frenulum, but only around half of those will show signs of feeding difficulties.
When the frenulum is too short or tight near the tip of the tongue, the tip might look blunt or become heart shaped. When it’s too short near the back, the tongue might appear normal, which is when tongue-tie becomes tricky to diagnose.
When tongue-tie is confirmed, many babies will benefit from having a tongue-tie division (frenulotomy) that then allows them more tongue movement and the ability to feed more easily, whether they are bottle fed or breastfed.
Feeding Support, North West
If you believe your baby might have a tongue-tie or you’re experiencing problems either breastfeeding or bottle feeding, we are here to help.
From local breastfeeding support to tongue-tie divisions, we support parents through the whole process, creating happy parents and happily feeding babies.
You can see all of our services below, as well as our popular workshops around breastfeeding, weaning onto solid foods and adjusting to the fourth trimester.
For complete feeding and tongue-tie support, get in touch with Laura and Sharon or use the phone numbers in the footer below.
Infant Feeding Support
Tongue-Tie Division
Rounded Support Package
