Lactation Consultant Adelaide

Breastfeeding should not feel like something you have to push through. While some initial tenderness can be normal, ongoing pain is usually a sign that something isn’tworking as it should.

Pain can be linked to:

• A shallow or unstable latch
• Positioning that isn’t supporting your baby well
• Oral function challenges (including tongue movement)
• A baby who is compensating or working harder to feed
• Fast or slow milk flow affecting how your baby attaches

If feeding is consistently painful, it’s worth looking at the full picture, not justadjusting positioning, but understanding why the latch isn’t comfortable in the firstplace.

Many parents search for a lactation consultant because they’ve been told their baby might have a tongue tie—or they’re noticing feeding signs that don’t quite add up.

Some signs that can be associated with tongue tie or oral function challenges include:

• Clicking or losing suction during feeds
• Difficulty maintaining a deep, stable latch
• Milk leaking from the mouth
• Long, tiring feeds or poor milk transfer
• Ongoing nipple pain despite adjusting positioning
• Increased air intake, wind, or reflux-like symptoms

Feeding challenges like these are not random. They are usually a sign that something in the feeding mechanism isn’t working efficiently.

Assessment focuses on how your baby is feeding—looking at latch, seal, tongue movement, and overall coordination—so we can identify whether oral restriction is contributing and what needs to change.

Worrying about milk supply is incredibly common, especially when your baby is feeding often, unsettled, or not gaining weight as expected.

Sometimes supply does need direct support. But in many cases, what looks like low supply is actually linked to:

• Inefficient milk transfer
• A shallow latch or poor seal
• Oral function challenges
• A baby tiring quickly during feeds
• Feeding patterns that don’t allow full feeds

Before assuming supply is the main issue, it’s important to look at how effectively your baby is feeding.

This helps ensure that any plan you follow actually addresses the cause, rather than adding more pressure or unnecessary interventions.

Reflux is often described as something babies simply “grow out of.” But when discomfort is affecting feeding, sleep, and settling, it can have a real impact on your baby and your day-to-day life.

Feeding and reflux are closely connected.

You might notice:

• Frequent vomiting or large spit-ups
• Arching, crying, or pulling off during feeds
• Short, frequent feeds
• A baby who seems uncomfortable after feeding
• Increased air intake or tension during feeds

Reflux can interact with positioning, feeding patterns, oral function, and milk flow.

A feeding-focused approach looks at how to reduce discomfort during feeds, not just manage symptoms after.

Some babies will refuse a bottle entirely, while others will only take small amounts or feed under very specific conditions.

This can feel stressful, especially if you need flexibility with feeding.

Bottle refusal can be linked to:

• Feeding preference patterns
• Oral sensitivity or tension
• Flow mismatch
• Past feeding experiences
• A baby feeling overwhelmed or pressured during feeds

Support focuses on creating a more comfortable, responsive feeding experience, rather than forcing intake, so your baby can gradually feel safer and more willing to feed.

Many families don’t arrive with a clear answer—they just know that feeding feels harder than it should.

You might be noticing:

• Your baby is unsettled or difficult to feed
• Feeds feel long, frequent, or unpredictable
• Advice you’ve received hasn’t helped or has been conflicting
• You feel like you’re constantly trying to fix something

Feeding challenges are often made up of multiple small factors rather than one obvious issue.

You don’t need to work this out on your own. A big part of support is helping you understand what’s happening and where to focus first.

Yes. Feeding support isn’t limited to exclusive breastfeeding. I support families who are breastfeeding, expressing, combination feeding, introducing bottles, or trying to work out why feeding feels difficult. If feeding isn’t working smoothly, it’s worth getting support—regardless of how you’re feeding your baby.

Yes. If you’re concerned about tongue tie or oral restriction, I assess how your baby is feeding—looking at latch, suction, tongue movement, and overall feeding efficiency. The focus is on function, not just appearance, so we can clearly understand whether oral restriction is contributing to the feeding difficulty and what needs to change.

Yes. Feeding and reflux are closely connected. If your baby is unsettled, vomiting, arching, or struggling during feeds, we look at how feeding mechanics, positioning, air intake, and patterns may be contributing to discomfort. The goal is to reduce stress during feeds, not just manage symptoms afterwards.

Low supply concerns are very common, but they’re not always straightforward. In some cases, supply does need support. In others, feeding is inefficient, which can make it look like supply is low. We assess how your baby is feeding and transferring milk so your plan is based on what’s actually happening.

No. While many families seek support in the early weeks, feeding challenges can continue beyond the newborn stage. If feeding is difficult, uncomfortable, or not improving, it’s appropriate to get support at any stage.

That’s completely okay. Many families reach out because they know something isn’t working, but can’t pinpoint why. You don’t need a diagnosis before booking—working that out is part of the process.

If feeding is painful, stressful, or your baby seems uncomfortable, it’s worth getting support sooner rather than later. Early support can prevent feeding patterns from becoming more difficult over time and helps you feel more confident in what you’re doing.