Barbara Hanachova

RM, IBCLC, RCST, LCHE, RSHom
Transforming lives through gentle expert care

Lactation Consultant & Tongue Tie Specialist

Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed or just starting introducing solids, I am here to support you and your little one

FAQ

I run a clinic at the Pause Studio in Leyton, London, currently every other Wednesday.

Yes, home visits for infant feeding support are possible – I cover all E and IG postcodes as well as some N, EN, RM and EC postcodes. Other areas may be also possible depending on the distance and travel times. Please use the contact form to enquire.

Yes, I am fully insured for all my services.

You can choose either home visit at your place or a clinic appointment in the Pause studio in Leyton.

The initial appointment in the clinic is 90min and the fee is £351. Aftercare resources and support via email are included.

For 60min follow up the fee is £171.

Home visits are either 2.5hrs long and the fee is £450; 1.5hrs follow up visit £225. This includes my travel time and expenses as well as ongoing support via email or WhatsApp messaging.

For the clinic appointment in Leyton please use the BOOK NOW button on this page.

For a home visit please use the contact form here.

Anything feeding related – difficulties latching, painful feeding, short/long/frequent feeds, unsettled baby, colic, reflux, weight issues, bottle feeding issues, weaning, blocked ducts, mastitis and much more.

It is described as overly tight tongue frenulum (the band of tissue between the tongue and the floor of the mouth) that restricts the mobility of the tongue leading to impaired feeding, speech and other things.

Apart of latching on and breastfeeding, it can actually impact bottle feeding too and cause issues with weaning to solids, milestone development, breathing, sleep, oral health, weight gain, speech etc.

Nipple soreness and trauma are the most common issues for the mum. However the inefficient milk removal from the breast can also lead to blocked ducts, mastitis, issues with supply etc. Frequent feeds lead to lack of sleep and exhaustion.

No. They will compensate to an extent for the impaired function but they will not grow out of it. Often things seem to be going well at the beginning but as the baby grows and reaches their compensation limit, issues might arise. 

It greatly depends on the type of the tie and severity of symptoms. Sometimes a comprehensive management that includes ongoing feeding support as well as body work, can be sufficient. Sometimes also the issue is not the tongue frenulum but rather a muscular tension resulting from birth or other stressful events during pregnancy, birth or early infancy. These babies will benefit more from a bodywork such as craniosacral therapy. Thorough assessment of the tongue function as well as the whole body is needed to identify the best strategy for every individual baby. 

Tongue tie division is a minor procedure however it requires some level of preparation and extensive aftercare to optimise the tongue movement and improve feeding, sleep, eating solids… This often involves ongoing feeding support by lactation consultant as well as bodywork, stress and tension release. I can help with all of these.

What you can expect

Whether your appointment is in clinic or at home, the focus is on functional assessment, optimisation of oral function and improvement of any challenges related to feeding/sleep/eating patterns including reflux or colic addressing these symptoms from the root cause.

The key part of the session is helping you find more comfortable and efficient ways of feeding, improving the latch and working on sustainable feeding plan where appropriate.

It is also suitable for babies with torticollis, issues with motor development, or with history of tongue tie division that didn’t quite resolve the issues…

  • Relevant history taking including pregnancy, birth and postnatal period so far.
  • Full holistic assessment of health and feeding/sleep/eating patterns.
  • Latch & positioning
  • Oral function and tongue tie assessment
  • Tension and tone assessment
  • Tension release and/or toning exercises
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Scar tissue remodelling after previous tongue tie division
  • Homeopathy support where relevant/requested by parents
  • Sustainable plan and strategies to implement at home
  • Continuous support via email or WhatsApp messaging

kind words

5/5
“I just want to say a special thank you for helping me on this bumpy but very rewarding journey. I don't know if I would still be breastfeeding now without your help and guidance.”
Saara
5/5
“Feeding our son was always a bit of a challenge. Until we met you! I was blown away by your knowledge and the level of care you have given us. I wish we met you right at the beginning.”
Gabriella
5/5
“Wow...what a wonderful lady you are! Thank you so much for helping and guiding us throughout the first few weeks of our daughter's life. You are amazing and we will miss you!”
Fiona & Rich