What is an Infant Feeding Coach?
Practical, Reassuring Feeding Support for Families
Infant Feeding Coaches work with families who are expecting a baby or have a baby (usually less than 3 months old - although this does not have to be the case – older babies can also be seen).
Infant Feeding Coaches provide advice regarding feeding (breast, bottle or combination feeding) antenatally as well as postnatally.
The role of an Infant Feeding Coach is to support families in their feeding journey.
As an Infant Feeding Coach, Emily firmly believes that 'Fed is Best' - there is no judgement or expectation on how families decide to feed their baby - you will receive support, encouragement, advice, knowledge and empowerment.
Antenatal & Postnatal Support...
...whatever your feeding journey looks like, we're here to support you with no judgment.
Whether you’re expecting or already feeding your baby, Infant Feeding Coaches offer calm, practical support to help you feel confident. This can include breastfeeding, bottle feeding or combination feeding, with guidance on positions, techniques and common challenges.
Antenantal Support
If families have decided that their feeding goal is to breastfeed, it is important to prepare for this.
Infant feeding coaches are qualified to teach colostrum harvesting and are knowledgeable about how to store this safely in preparation for the baby's arrival.
If breastfeeding is not how families are planning on feeding their baby – an infant feeding coach can help with regards to bottles and feeding techniques/positions.
We encourage all expecting families to link in with local breastfeeding groups, baby groups, as well as seeking out relevant professionals BEFORE the arrival of the baby. This helps establish the web of support that really is valuable.
Infant Feeding Coaches also have knowledge regarding the ‘golden hour’ immediately after delivery, and seek to empower families in understanding the physiological importance of this.
Postnatal Support
Whether feeding a first baby or perhaps you’ve fed before, all babies are different.
Infant Feeding Coaches are there to support families on their feeding journey and provide practical help regarding attachment and positioning, feeding difficulties, supply issues, as well as explaining how breast milk can be pumped and safely stored.
Infant feeding coaches can provide help and advice with combination feeding, as well as how to bottle feed a baby (it really isn’t a case of popping the bottle in and off we go).
Safety First. Always.
Infant feeding coaches are highly trained to work within their scope of practice.
If we have concerns about a baby’s development, weight or health, we will always refer to your GP, health visitor or an IBCLC.
Since you showed me how to pace-response bottle feed my son is much less colicy.
Why Osteopathy and Infant Feeding?
As an Osteopath Emily has supported many families and their babies over the years she has been qualified.
Emily gained the qualification of Infant Feeding Coach in 2022 because she wanted to enhance her knowledge around infant feeding (breast and bottle) as well as around positioning and attachment.
A lot of babies are brought to Emily in an Osteopathic context with ‘poor latch’ and unsettled behaviour. Her deeper knowledge of positioning and attachment when feeding (breast or bottle) has made treatments much more effective and vastly enhanced the advice she can give to parents.
It has even reduced the achy shoulders that can happen when parents are feeding in a position that isn’t quite right for them or their baby.
FAQs
Can I book just for IFC advice?
Can I book just for IFC advice?
To make a booking online, choose the appointment type, who you'd like your appointment with, then pick an available date to make a booking.
Patient Information, Consent & Privacy
Osteopathy, like all forms of health care, offers considerable benefits, but may also include some level of risk. Research suggests Osteopathy is one of the safest forms of treatment (Bagagiolo et al, 2022). We require every patient to make an informed decision before beginning treatment.
At the appointment
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During your consultation at Kibworth Osteopaths, a health history will be established and a physical examination will be conducted. These examinations are performed to assess your specific condition, determining if Osteopathic Treatment is needed and can help.
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The patient/patient advocate understands that sometimes it is necessary to expose and palpate certain areas of the body for diagnosis and treatment.
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Every effort is made to preserve modesty and keep you comfortable. Please tell or signal to the Osteopath if you have any concerns during your appointment and if you ever feel uncomfortable please do not hesitate to say so.
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Before any manipulation is given, the Osteopath will explain the need and obtain your verbal consent and the patient has the option to opt out at any time.
Adverse Reactions
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The physical response to treatment varies and cannot always be predicted, as every individual is different.
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Whilst rare, some patients may experience short-term aggravation of symptoms – up to 72 hours.
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It is important to follow the advice of the Osteopath to reduce any chance of adverse effects from treatment and should you be concerned please contact us.
Free Resources
Take advantage of our free resources section, where you’ll find comprehensive feeding guides and easy-to-follow videos to support you with latching, positioning, winding and day-to-day feeding confidence at home.
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