Having obtained the infant feeding qualifications listed in my bio and having had considerable prior experience of working under the supervision of an experienced IBCLC tongue tie specialist and infant feeding lead (which was a prerequisite to sitting the International Board Certification exam) . I developed over many years a good grounding in infant feeding and the post natal care of mothers 

This informs my feeding assessments 

In addition my Osteopathic and Cranial Osteopathic education granted an understanding of the biomechanical factors impacting feeding as well as "trauma informing" my practice developing an appreciation,for example , of the impact of a traumatic birth on infant feeding 

Osteopathy provides a good understanding of the structure function relationship- the relationship between the anatomy and movement / physiology 

Tongue tie is an excellent illustration of this relationship- how a tight sublingual frenulum (anatomy) can impact heavily on tongue movement, feeding and the coordination of suck, swallow and breathe (function ) 

Although I rely on all my trainings when making a formal assessment of infant feeding I am especially well equipped to do tongue tie assessments and help parents decide whether a tongue tie represents enough of an issue to warrant surgery! 

My experience of other potential issues affecting a baby’s growth and development is less. 

 I do not currently take on the management of babies whose weight is faltering beyond advice regarding tongue tie

I do support such babies with Cranial Osteopathy 

If your baby has faltering growth or faltering weight please  keep in close touch with your midwives and NHS infant feeding team and your GP