Feeding is one of the very first and most important skills a child develops. When difficulties arise, it can be worrying and stressful for families. At Baby Speak, we provide specialist assessment and support for feeding difficulties tailored to your child’s individual needs.

Alongside our Speech and Language Therapy expertise, Baby Speak also provides qualified IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) support. This ensures parents receive high-quality, evidence-based guidance for breastfeeding and lactation difficulties.

By combining SLT and IBCLC knowledge, we are uniquely placed to support both the medical and practical aspects of infant feeding.

Supporting all stages of feeding

Our team has expertise in a wide range of feeding concerns, including:

• Breastfeeding challenges - difficulties with latch, suck-swallow-breathe coordination, low milk transfer, or painful feeding.

• Bottle feeding issues - refusal of the bottle, inefficient sucking, or difficulties transitioning between breast and bottle.

• Weaning support - guidance when introducing solid foods, including support for children who gag, cough, or refuse certain textures.

IBCLC Lactation Consultant

An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is a healthcare professional with specialist training in breastfeeding and lactation. The IBCLC credential is the highest recognised qualification in breastfeeding support worldwide, ensuring families receive safe, evidence-based care.

What an IBCLC Does

• Supports breastfeeding families with challenges such as painful feeding, poor latch, low milk supply, or concerns about weight gain.

• Assesses feeding skills including a baby’s suck, swallow, and breathing coordination.

• Provides tailored guidance on positioning, attachment, expressing breastmilk, and managing common difficulties such as mastitis or tongue-tie (in collaboration with medical professionals).

• Helps families make informed choices about feeding, whether breastfeeding exclusively, combination feeding, or moving towards bottle feeding.

• Guides parents through transitions, including returning to work, introducing a bottle, or weaning from breastfeeding.

At Baby Speak, families benefit from the combined expertise of Speech and Language Therapy and IBCLC Lactation Consultancy. This dual qualification allows us to address both the medical and developmental aspects of feeding, ensuring parents receive comprehensive, compassionate support.

Why choose a dual-qualified IBCLC and SLT?

• Specialist expertise: Combining the highest qualification in lactation (IBCLC) with professional training in Speech and Language Therapy provides a unique skill set for supporting infant feeding.

• Comprehensive care: Feeding involves both lactation and oral-motor skills. A dual-qualified IBCLC and SLT can assess the whole picture, from breastfeeding technique to a baby’s suck, swallow, and breathing patterns.

• Evidence-based support: Families benefit from the latest research across two professional fields, ensuring care is safe, effective, and tailored to each child’s needs.

• Continuity across feeding stages: From newborn breastfeeding to bottle feeding, weaning, and beyond, a dual-qualified professional can provide guidance at every stage.

• Holistic, family-centred approach: With expertise in communication, bonding, and early development as well as lactation, parents receive support that nurtures both physical feeding skills and the parent-child relationship.

A family-centred approach

We understand that feeding is not just a physical skill, but also a bonding experience between parent and child. Our therapists take time to listen to your concerns, observe your child’s feeding, and create a personalised plan that supports progress while reducing stress for the whole family.

Whether you are at the start of your breastfeeding journey, facing challenges with bottle feeding, or navigating the transition to solid foods, Baby Speak can provide specialist support at every stage. We offer appointments at our Harley Street Clinic, in your home or online.