Lactation Counseling

Lactation Counseling in Lutz, Florida

Feeding a newborn can come with many emotions—relief, confusion, frustration, or even uncertainty. If breastfeeding does not go as planned, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to turn. At Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy, we understand how early feeding shapes both a baby’s health and a parent’s confidence. That is why we offer responsive, family-centered lactation counseling in Lutz, Florida, that supports your journey from day one.

Located in the heart of Lutz, our pediatric therapy practice focuses on children from birth through age five. Our lactation counseling services are tailored to meet you where you are, with respect, care, and guidance informed by experience.

What Is Lactation Counseling?

Lactation counseling is support provided by a trained specialist to help mothers navigate the challenges of breastfeeding their baby. It involves more than just learning how to breastfeed. It involves building a connection, identifying what is working and what is not, and helping the feeding relationship grow in strength.

Thriving Joy Lactation Counselors help mamas & parents with:

PRENATAL BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT:

Guidance for parents on common situations and signs of effective breastfeeding or breastfeeding problems.
Correct positioning to confidently latch in the first moments after baby arrives
Planning for breastfeeding including specific needs you may have in those first days
Available resources so parents are prepared
Establishing a feeding plan and how to advocate for that plan when baby is here
Prenatal breastfeeding classes

AFTER BABY ARRIVES:

Painful Breastfeeding
Latch and Positioning
Tethered Oral Tissues (Lip & tongue ties)
Low Milk Supply
Pump Flange Fitting & Pumping Schedules
Bottle Refusal
Weaning
Starting Solids

Lactation counseling can support you if you are:

Experiencing pain during nursing
Baby is having trouble staying latched or at breast
Feeling unsure about milk supply
Slow weight gain
Transitioning from breast to bottle or vice versa
Needing help learning how to use a breast pump effectively
Return to work planning

We are here for both baby and parent because feeding is not a one-sided experience. It is a relationship.

Pre and Post Tongue Tie Therapy Feeding Support

At Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy our providers are more than just lactation counselors, they are also certified speech language pathologists and oral motor feeding therapists. Feeding therapy before and after a tongue tie procedure is just as important as the procedure itself. Before a release, we support optimal feeding techniques and help minimize discomfort. After the release, therapy focuses on helping your baby retrain movements of the tongue or lips for easier, more effective feeding. A release may change the structure, but skilled oral motor therapy is crucial to change the function and feeding experience.

Support in both phases may include:

Training parents on stretches and exercises before and after release
Preparing family for what to expect after the release
Identifying what oral motor/feeding patterns need to change and how best to address these challenges after release to make quick and meaningful change.
Adjusting feeding positions to reduce discomfort
Oral motor/suck training Offering soothing strategies to calm a frustrated baby
Rebuilding sucking patterns through oral therapy
Providing referrals to other key members of the tongue tie team

Timely care improves outcomes and helps set your baby up for long-term feeding success.

Understanding Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS) AKA Tongue and Lip Ties in Infants

Tongue and lip ties are connective tissues in the mouth that may be too tight or short, limiting movement. These can often affect how well a baby latches and feeds. Some parents notice feeding is unusually painful or that their baby seems exhausted quickly while nursing. In these cases, we assess feeding and oral motor patterns to determine whether a tie could be disrupting effective feeding.

Early identification leads to less stressful feeding routines and a more enjoyable experience for both parent and baby. Even after revision procedures, ongoing therapy plays a key role.

You may need an infant feeding evaluation for tethered oral tissues if:

You are experiencing pain with latching or breastfeeding
Infant is noisy when feeding or frequently clicking at breast
Infant has slow weight gain
Infants latch is shallow or infant can’t maintain latch
Open mouth posture at rest or in sleep
Mama is not feeling her breast soften or empty with feeding
Baby is quickly tiring or falling asleep at breast
Baby is excessively gassy or has significant reflux

Feeding Support Beyond Breastfeeding

Lactation counseling continues beyond the early days of nursing. At Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy, we guide families through every chapter of feeding—whether it is introducing bottles, starting solids, or transitioning away from breast or formula feeding.

BOTTLE REFUSAL:
Every baby feeds differently, and every baby deserves support. Whether you are exclusively bottle feeding, transitioning between breast and bottle or preparing for childcare, we work with families to troubleshoot bottle refusal, flow preferences, and feeding mechanics, ensuring your baby feeds safely and successfully.

STARTING SOLIDS:
Starting solids can feel overwhelming—purees, baby-led weaning, food safety, and allergies. Our team empowers parents to introduce solids in whatever way works for their family with confidence. Whether you plan to spoon feed or follow a baby led weaning approach our team will guide you through pre feeding skills, feeding milestones, choking prevention, food presentation, schedules, what feeding products are worth the investment, common hiccups to avoid, allergen introduction and more!

We also provide feeding therapy for more complex issues. If your child has reflux, spent time in the NICU, or struggles with food textures, our team delivers personalized, functional support all within the same trusted practice.

Why Families Choose Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy

Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy is a pediatric-focused practice in Lutz, Florida. Our philosophy is based on one truth. Parents and babies deserve care that listens. Families often come to us feeling overwhelmed by feeding struggles. We respond with warmth, clarity, and deep respect for the journey you are on. Our providers are not only Certified Lactation Counselors, but also Certified Speech Language Pathologists and Feeding Therapists giving us a highly specialized and wide scope of experience and skill with all feeding challenges.

From birth to toddlerhood, we are ready with tools, experience, and compassion to guide you. The setting is calm, the care is personal, and the solutions are root cause focused. We give you space to ask questions, room to breathe, and a plan that supports your comfort and your baby’s readiness.

Helping Your Family Find Confidence in Feeding

Our primary goal at Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy is to help feeding feel less confusing, less frustrating, and more connected. Whether you are breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding, or switching between them, your questions deserve expert answers and support you can trust.

We are here to walk with you across every stage of feeding—from exhausted newborn weeks to messy toddler finger foods. Personalized care makes all the difference.

If you are ready to take the stress out of feeding and get real, lasting support, do not wait. Discover how our lactation counseling in Lutz, Florida, can give you the clarity and confidence you deserve. Schedule your consultation with Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy today. Your baby's feeding journey matters, and we are here to help you thrive.