Tongue Tie and Lactation Consultant – Polly Powell
We are delighted to welcome Polly to the Meadowside Osteopathy team every Thursday!
An experienced Tongue Tie Practitioner and Lactation Consultant, Polly provides expert support for families facing feeding challenges. From breastfeeding or chest feeding difficulties and tricky bottle feeders to tongue tie concerns, Polly is here to help guide you through your journey. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she passionately advocates for breastfeeding and the many benefits it brings to both parents and babies.
Polly is a member of the Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners and is fully insured by the Care Quality Commission via Private Midwives. She also offers home support for families across Surrey and runs a free infant feeding café every Tuesday morning in Farnham. More details can be found on her website.
How Meadowside Osteopathy and Polly Work Together
At Meadowside Osteopathy, we recognize the profound impact that feeding difficulties can have on both babies and parents. Tongue tie, in particular, can lead to challenges such as poor latch, inefficient feeding, reflux, colic, and discomfort for both baby and parent. This is where the combined approach of Polly’s expertise and paediatric osteopathy can make a real difference.
How Osteopathy Supports Tongue Tie Treatment
Osteopathy plays a vital role in addressing the musculoskeletal restrictions that can contribute to feeding difficulties. Babies with tongue ties often experience tension in their neck, jaw, and upper body due to in-utero positioning, birth trauma, or compensatory feeding habits. This can make it harder for them to achieve a deep, effective latch even after a tongue tie release.
Our paediatric osteopaths gently assess and treat these restrictions, helping to:
- Improve jaw and tongue mobility
- Enhance overall feeding comfort
- Reduce tension in the neck and shoulders
- Support post-procedure healing
By working closely with Polly, we ensure that babies receive holistic, multi-disciplinary support to optimise feeding outcomes and overall comfort.
Services Polly Provides:
Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding Support
If you are experiencing feeding difficulties, Polly offers:
- Latch and positioning guidance
- Support for sore nipples and low milk supply
- Reflux and fussy feeding solutions
- A tailored feeding plan and ongoing support
Fees:
- 90-minute in-person consultation: £150
- 60-minute in-person follow-up: £90
- 30-minute phone/Zoom follow-up: £40
Tongue Tie Assessment & Division
If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie, Polly provides a thorough assessment and, if necessary, a tongue tie division, followed by aftercare guidance and a free follow-up call.
Fees:
- 90-minute consultation: £150
- Tongue-tie division (if required at consultation): £80
Colostrum Harvesting & Breastfeeding Preparation
For expectant parents looking to prepare for breastfeeding, Polly offers guidance on effective positioning, hand expression, and overcoming common breastfeeding challenges.
Fees:
- 90-minute session: £120
What is Osteopathy for Babies & Children?
Our Osteopaths, Orit Huntley and Emily Green, are qualified to treat babies and children at all stages of their development. Cranial osteopathy is our main treatment approach, and it is a safe, gentle, and effective hands-on therapy.
Cranial osteopathy can help free up movement and circulation in areas of your baby’s body that may be stuck or restricted. This allows better mobility and function of the joints and muscles, as well as wider body systems such as digestion, circulation, and the nervous system.
Cranial osteopathy is a relaxing and enjoyable treatment and will typically calm and soothe your baby, toddler, or child.
Common Symptoms We Can Help With:
- Digestive discomfort
- Irritability and excessive crying
- Difficulty winding and colic
- Poor latching and weak suck
- Strong preference to turn in one direction
- Flattening of the head
Feeding problems such as frequently pulling away from the breast, falling asleep during feeding, or a painful latch can often arise due to tension in the base of the skull, around the jaw, or in the neck muscles. Osteopathic treatment helps relieve these tensions, improving feeding, digestion, and overall comfort for your baby.
Our osteopaths use gentle techniques to assess and release any restrictions, allowing your baby’s body to function optimally. This encourages their natural ability to heal and adapt, making osteopathy a powerful tool for supporting early development.
Fees for Paediatric Osteopathy
Our paediatric osteopaths provide expert care to support your baby’s feeding journey.
Fees:
- First appointment: £105
- Follow-up appointments: £80
The Power of Combined Care
By integrating Polly’s expertise with paediatric osteopathy, we offer families a well-rounded approach to feeding challenges. Whether your baby has tongue tie, struggles with latch, or experiences general feeding discomfort, this collaborative approach ensures they receive the best possible care.
For more information or to book an appointment, please reach out to us at Meadowside Osteopathy!
