IBCLC

International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants function and contribute as members of the maternal-child health team. They provide care in a variety of settings, while making appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community support resources. Working together with mothers, families, policymakers and society, IBCLC certificants provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding.

To find an IBCLC practitioner near you, click here.

Lactation consultant

In general, the same as an IBCLC practitioner.

Latch

Latch refers to how the baby fastens onto the breast while breastfeeding. A good latch promotes high milk flow and minimizes nipple discomfort for the mother, whereas poor latch results in poor milk transfer to the baby and can quickly lead to sore and cracked nipples. In a good latch, both the nipple and a large portion of the areola are in the baby’s mouth.

Practitioner

Someone who performs treatment of a tongue-, lip- or buccal tie.

Release

The procedure of treating a tongue-, lip- or buccal tie. The release specifically refers to the cutting of the tongue tie, either with a pair of scissors or with a laser.

For more information on treatment, click here.

Stretches

A vital part of aftercare, where the treated area is stretched to avoid reattachment.

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