Love and Latch - Infant Support and Education

Love and Latch - Infant Support and Education Love and Latch by Steph IBCLC and Midwife offers accessible and evidence based online & face to face antenatal & postnatal support and education.

Based in Herts, Beds and Essex, UK. https://linktr.ee/loveandlatchuk

Happy international day of the Midwife 2026. Before I was an IBCLC, I was a midwife (and still am). I went into midwifer...
05/05/2026

Happy international day of the Midwife 2026.

Before I was an IBCLC, I was a midwife (and still am). I went into midwifery because despite doing lots of classes and preparation before I had my first baby I felt like everything went out of control, especially my feeding journey and it left me wishing I had had not MORE but different support.

A desire for individualised care and wanting to make a positive difference led me on a journey to midwifery. I still work in the NHS, but there is so much care and education I wanted to be able to provide that just can't be within the constraints we work under. This is what led me to qualifying as an IBCLC and launching Love and Latch.

Infant feeding is my passion, but on deeper level it is woman being able to navigate the initial journey into mother hood feeling positive and capable, rather than feeling how I felt. That is why I also offer antenatal classes, as the right knowledge and support is power.

Today I'm thinking of all the babies I've been lucky enough to be seen born, all the mother's I've taught antenatal classes to, all the community care I've given and the mother's I've supported with feeding. Thanks for making me a midwife. ❤️

Just when you feel like you’ve got this… everything changes. 😫Around 4 months, many babies suddenly become:• Fussy• Clin...
31/01/2026

Just when you feel like you’ve got this… everything changes. 😫

Around 4 months, many babies suddenly become:
• Fussy
• Clingy
• Sleep is all over the place
• Very distractible at the breast (short but frequent feeds)

If this is you — nothing is wrong with you or your baby.

✨ Your baby is going through a big developmental leap.

This phase can last a few weeks (sometimes longer), and on the other side your baby may:
• Have better head control
• Be more social (smiling, cooing, babbling)
• Bring hands to mouth to explore (not always hunger, and not a sign they’re ready for solids)
• See and hear much better
• Move into more adult-like sleep cycles (~90 minutes)
• Possibly begin teething

That’s a LOT of change for a tiny brain — and it can feel unsettling.

may suddenly feel really challenging. 🤰

Your baby might:
• Feed more or less often
• Have very short feeds
• Come off the breast to smile at you (or a stranger!)

Many mothers worry this means their baby isn’t satisfied — but these behaviours are very normal in this leap.

Your baby is:
✔ More efficient at feeding (some feeds may only be ~5 minutes)
✔ More curious about the world
✔ Easily distracted now that their senses have developed

If you’re worried your baby isn’t getting enough milk, try:
• Feeding in a dark, quiet space
• Using a sling or feeding cover
• Avoiding loose clothing touching baby while feeding
• Wearing a teething necklace to keep their attention nearby
• Gentle rocking or bouncing while feeding
• If teething, applying something cold on the gums before a feed

If daytime feeds feel short or unsettled, don’t panic — many babies feed more effectively overnight when it’s dark, quiet, and they’re sleepy.

💛 Your baby still loves you.
💛 Your baby still loves breastfeeding.

Their brain just isn’t very good at multitasking yet.

Many women worry their milk is no longer “enough” at this stage — but this is developmental, not nutritional. Babies’ guts are not ready for food until 6 months.

❗️If you’re struggling, baby has weight concerns or nappy output is reduced, reach out for support:
• Your health visitor
• A breastfeeding drop-in
• An

30/01/2026

A tongue tie division doesn't always solve everything. Make sure you get post division support in place incase you need it.

The microbiome is a unique ecosystem of microbes (bacteria, viruses and fungi) living on and in our bodies. These are c...
29/01/2026

The microbiome is a unique ecosystem of microbes (bacteria, viruses and fungi) living on and in our bodies. These are crucial for our digestion, immune system and nutrient production. No two microbiomes are the same and they are affected by our births, how we are fed, our DNA and our environment.

THINGS THAT AFFECT OUR MICROBIOME

🤰Birth - Babies born va**nally are exposed to the bacteria in the va**na and this helps to colonise their immune system with good microbes. Babies born by caesarean miss out on this so skin to skin for them is especially important to expose them to their parents' microbes.

👶 Skin to skin is an opportunity for boosting babies gut and immune system health, so as much as possible in the days and weeks after birth can make a positive impact.

🤱 Feeding method - Breastfeeding not only contains antibodies but Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO)🌟 which feeds the good bacteria, and Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA)💪 which kills bad bacteria.

Breastfeeding positively impacts your babies immune system for life.♥️

🍼 Formula doesn't support gut health or the immune system so considering giving even a drop of breastmilk can positively impact your babies immune sysyem.

💊 Antibodies should be avoided for you and your baby unless you have a bacterial infection and ensure you finish the course prescribed. Antibiotics kills off the bad and good bacteria in the gut, so consider taking probiotics and boost breastmilk consumption for baby.

Breast pain postnatally is a huge topic. And it's not surprising that when women google the term, they're met with lots ...
29/01/2026

Breast pain postnatally is a huge topic. And it's not surprising that when women google the term, they're met with lots of things it could be. From engorgement or poor latch to infective mastitis or breast abscesses.

So let's start at the beginning.

Breast pain experienced in first couple of days are most likely going to be:

- Poor Latch 👶
- Ni**le sensitivity. 😫

Some people do experience some ni**le sensitivity that is not due to poor latch and usually this is during the feeding, but when the baby comes off the breast the ni**le looks a normal shape. For many women this pain or sensitivity improves over the next few days.

Poor latch can result in ni**le trauma, painful feeds for mum and an unsettled baby. So getting early support is important. If the breastfeeds hurt ask a midwife to observe your baby latching and sucking on the breast and then see the ni**le shape at the end. And if the pain isn't improving continue to ask for help, attend a breastfeeding support dropin, see a lactation consultant and if needed ask for a tongue tie assessment. A tongue tie could affect baby's ability to have a deep and effective latch.

Next time I'll discuss pain you may experience day 3 onwards, then move onto more complex issues.

I'll be back at the wonderful Stepping Stones playgroup St. Peter's Church, Stevenage on Friday. Whether you're new the ...
28/01/2026

I'll be back at the wonderful Stepping Stones playgroup St. Peter's Church, Stevenage on Friday. Whether you're new the parenthood, have a boisterous toddler or a curious preschooler come and socialise with a hot drink. There's plenty of fun toys and activities, and even a story, snack and songs.

I'll be there to chat all things infant feeding and if little one is breastfeeding and you'd like a private for breastfeeding support, there's a lovely space we can use.

See you there. ❤️

It is normal to bleed from your va**na after birth, this is called Lochia. It is usually heavy and red at first like a h...
28/01/2026

It is normal to bleed from your va**na after birth, this is called Lochia.

It is usually heavy and red at first like a heavy period and becomes lighter and more brown coloured, usually completely stopping between 2-6 weeks postnatal. 👶

In the early postnatal days you will need thick absorbent pads. 🤱Breastfeeding may mean you bleed heavier, but usually for a shorter amount of time, as breastfeeding hormones help your uterus contract quicker. Whereas when bottle feeding you may bleed for longer but it may be lighter.

🩸Overall you will lose the same amount of blood. 🩸

🍼If you are bottle feeding or mixed feeding your period could come as early as 5 to 6 weeks after birth and you could get pregnant again after just 3 weeks. Breastfeeding mothers find their period usually takes 9-18 months to return.

❗️SIGNS YOU NEED SUPPORT
- Bleeding continues to be heavier after a week or so
- Bleeding stopped then started again very heavily
- You are passing clots larger than a 50p coin

If you feel well enough, contact your maternity triage or midwife. 👩‍⚕️

If you feel very unwell 🤢 or also:

- Feel faint
- Have a rapid heart rate.
- High temperature
- Sore and tender tummy.

You may have an infection and should consider attending A&E for urgent care. 🚑

I'm back at the lovely Stevenage playgroup from 9.30am to 11.30am on Friday. I'll there for all your breastfeeding, bott...
03/12/2025

I'm back at the lovely Stevenage playgroup from 9.30am to 11.30am on Friday. I'll there for all your breastfeeding, bottle feeding or pumping questions or for support, and can offer antenatal education. The playgroup is wonderful so why not come along and find out more about that too.

This Friday I'm back at Stepping Stones playgroup, St. Peter's Church, Stevenage so pop along. Whether you want to chec...
05/11/2025

This Friday I'm back at Stepping Stones playgroup, St. Peter's Church, Stevenage so pop along. Whether you want to check out the wonderful playgroup or simply have some questions for me, it's completely free. I am there to support with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, pregnancy information, weaning off breastfeeding, introducting solids and baby development and behaviour.

We hope to see you there.

IBCLCs, midwives, students and breastfeeding counsellors and supporters what are your go to feeding props?I carry around...
24/10/2025

IBCLCs, midwives, students and breastfeeding counsellors and supporters what are your go to feeding props?

I carry around a few bits and bobs but I think the one I use the most is the knitted breast. Useful for demonstrating the flipple and hand expressing.

My favourite it my knitted latching baby though. I love being able to show the visual differences between a deep and a shallow latch, including the position of the baby's chin and how much breast should be in the mouth.

What about you?

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