Mums and Bubs: baby sleep, crying and breastfeeding issues

Many families experience baby sleep, crying and breastfeeding issues, and find that the traditional advice simply doesn’t work for them. The NDC approach goes beyond assessing a problem in isolation, recognising that you, your baby, and your family unit need to be considered together. The comprehensive approach considers families in terms of five areas: feeds, sleep, baby's health and sensory needs, and carer health; understanding that these five areas are interrelated and interact to influence your wellbeing and your baby's wellbeing.

This philosophy is based on Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) which is based on twenty years of medical research, and supports your baby's developing brain. NDC also supports your mental health, helping you to meet the challenge of parenthood.

Our Hobart NDC accredited practitioners are Dr Samantha Wyton and Dr Tara Kurrajong. Both are currently accepting patients for Mums and Bubs consults. We also have a number of Bubble Hobart doctors completing their accreditation. They have young families themselves and know the struggles parents can have but also want to be able to provide the time that parents require as well as quality evidence-based advice that supports their mental well-being.

Sleep support

Sleep support that is offered at The Bubble is not your traditional sleep training, and we provide sleep help that doesn't let your baby cry it out. Support offered is based on the most up to date medical evidence, and involves understanding your baby's sleep hormonal regulators and biological rhythms, i.e. working with your baby's biology, not against it. This is based on Neuroprotective Developmental Care and aims to optimise outcomes for you and your baby.

As an example, many sleep programs suggest a delayed response to your baby, or to ignore powerful biological cues (such as baby falling asleep with feeds). Yet high level of evidence shows that these suggested sleep training programs don't decrease the frequency of night waking’s. At The Bubble, the doctors will take the time to explore the issues you are facing with sleep and then use a comprehensive approach to find strategies that will work for you and your family.

Feeds

At The Bubble, we are here to help you on your feeding journey, whether that is breast or bottle feeding. Difficulties are common early on for many mothers and most of these issues can be easily resolved with the right support.

The breastfeeding journey takes time to learn and develop. We can help you on this journey through the latest evidence-based approach. This approach is the Gestalt breastfeeding program, and was developed from an understanding of breastfeeding biomechanisms through ultrasound studies. It aims to help optimise “fit and hold” which usually leads to a resolution of many breastfeeding problems.

Breast examination and observing breast feeds during this time is to be expected to help with any lactating issues, painful feeds, sore nipples, milk supply concerns, low supply, fussing at the breast and much more.

Difficulty bottle feeding can also be addressed with focused discussion around paced bottle feeding.

Unsettled Baby

Having a baby who cries and fusses can be extremely hard for parents. There are so many reasons why this may be happening and it can be difficult to know where to start to get help. The NDC practitioners are also GPs who can medically assess the baby first to ensure there are no underlying issues, such as growth concerns, reflux, tummy pain, wind and tongue tie.

A holistic approach to this issue is important to manage the unsettled baby.

During an appointment we will explore what difficulties you are having, perform an examination of your baby if needed to exclude medical causes and discuss approaches that might be helpful in managing this challenging period.