Newborn feeding service proving successful at Watford General Hospital
The service was launched a few weeks ago to help newborn babies with movement-restricted tongues to feed from their mothers
A few weeks into a specialised service at the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to improve newborn feeding, Greatest Hits Radio caught up with the team to find out how it has been rolled out.
The new service focuses on helping newborns with tongue tie, a condition affecting the movement of the tongue, who struggle to feed from their mothers, by performing targeted surgery to release the tongue and allow the baby to feed normally.
This initiative stemmed from extensive feedback received from parents, indicating a need for improved support to allow mother and baby to receive all rounded care in one place.
The new service is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to care, encompassing medical intervention as well as extensive support and education for parents.
Kelly Kinsella, the Feeding Lead at the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Our objective is to ensure that families receive timely and effective support, with access to resources and guidance every step of the way."
She highlighted the importance of early intervention, particularly in cases where newborns exhibit signs of tongue tie, to alleviate feeding difficulties and enhance overall feeding outcomes.
"Aspects of suspected type frenulum tongue-tie and lactation falls under the same remit, and it can cause issues for mothers and babies, and so we wanted to keep that under our care so that we could provide continuity", she added.
The service offers assessments for babies aged 5 to 28 days, with provisions for older infants to be referred through the ear, nose, and throat specialist pathway.
In addition to the new service, the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is actively implementing the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative standards for infant feeding and relationship building.
Ms Kinsella said: "We are dedicated to delivering evidence-based care and support for newborn feeding, prioritising the well-being of both babies and parents, and our ongoing initiatives reflect our commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to all families under our care."
The introduction of the Trust's specialised newborn feeding service and the implementation of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative signify a step forward in addressing the needs of families during the crucial early stages of infancy.
Parents have already expressed satisfaction with the service, reporting significant improvements in feeding experiences following the procedure.
You can find more information on the Trust's website.