http://www.thriveinfantfeeding.co.uk/, https://buymeacoffee.com/shamishafi

Thrive Infant Feeding, Stafford Health and Wellbeing Centre, Stafford (2026)

Q: What is the address?

Stafford Health And Wellbeing Centre

18/03/2026

Often traditional south asian food gets categorised the same as a 'takeaway' (and it might well be for some)...however, for many of us, south asian cuisine is cooked in the home using fresh ingredients.

Unlike most ultra processed takeaway foods, pakoras can be made 'baby friendly' and served as part of a healthy, balanced diet when introducing solids.

Comment "PAKORA" and I will send you an easy recipe!

Tips:

💡 Pakoras are a starter for us but for our little humans they should be treated as an occasional snack

💡 Offer from 6 months and adjust the recipe to remove salt and chilli

💡 Wrap in aluminium foil after cooking to cool slowly and hold in moisture for a softer texture

💡 Mash/break up if needed

💡 Keep portions small, treat as a snack, not meal

💡 Homemade pakoras are a great finger food and can help encourage self feeding

🏆 My name is Shami, and I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) tongue tie specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

17/03/2026

💚 Here to reassure you that you can pump as well as breastfeeding your baby as long as you are careful not to increase your milk supply too much!

🏆 My name is Shami, and I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and mum of 3 working as a tongue tie specialist in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

💬 Let's talk expressing!

Common reasons why mothers wish to express as well as breastfeed:

1. Perceived/actual low milk supply
2. Would like baby to take a bottle
3. Preparing for return to work/study

If you do choose to express in addition to breastfeeding, you may notice an increase in milk supply and so it is best to express small amounts and build if you need

If you are struggling with pump output, get in touch with someone who is trained to support.

16/03/2026

Sadly, many mothers doubt their milk supply and become disheartened with breastfeeding as a result 💔

But the truth is, that in many cases, low milk supply is perceived rather than actual, in these cases, skilled support and reassurance can help greatly

Aside from this, in the majority of cases where there is a true low milk supply, it is secondary. While primary low milk supply exists, it is not common. However, primary and secondary causes can both be at play at the same time...this requires specialist assessment and care planning

There is so much to secondary low milk supply than what I could possibly squeeze into this post, but that hasn't stopped me trying!

If you are seeing my post for the first time, get following to binge my other FREE quick guides! My name is Shami and I am a mum of 3, an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and Tongue Tie Specialist working in the Midlands, UK...this is my corner of the internet where I share my expertise with you 💚

This post is not intended to replace individual assessment and care planning, it is designed to raise awareness, understanding and to educate

13/03/2026

Block feeding:

❓️ Down regulates milk production
⏰️ Usually a short term intervention
👩‍⚕️ Oversight by a feeding specialist is useful
🥛 Treats oversupply if done correctly

It can, if implemented incorrectly or inappropriately:

⛔️ Reduce supply too much
⛔️ Cause mastitis
⛔️ Impact your baby's growth

If you have been advised to block feed and there is no improvement in symptoms, it is worth reviewing the care plan with your practitioner

🏆 My name is Shami, I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), tongue tie specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

This reel and caption is for educational and learning purposes and does not replace individual assessment or care planning

12/03/2026

Ni**le shields are not essential for successful breastfeeding, but they absolutely can be used to help where there is a specific need 💚

You can better understand the feeding needs of your baby and whether a ni**le shield could help by consulting with someone who is trained to complete this assessment

Key points:

💡 Dont be afraid to use them where recommended by a trained professional
💡 If the option is between either feed with a shield or not feed at all...feed with a shield ALWAYS wins (in my experience)

Ask your provider:

❓️ How long am I likely to continue feeding using a shield?
❓️ How do I transition/wean off them?
❓️ What other alternatives are there to using a shield?

🏆 My name is Shami, and I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) tongue tie specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

This reel is for educational purposes and not a substitute for face to face assessment and care planning with a trained professional

**leshield

10/03/2026

💚 So let's get it RIGHT together! If you want professional, easy to follow advice on infant feeding, follow me :)

Here are my tips for parents who want to start solids with fruit and veg from 6 months:

💡 1. If you are offering fruit/veg that is firm like apple/carrot..cook it to soften. Fruits that are small, slippy and round like tomatoes, grapes, blueberries...blend, chop up or mash to reduce the risk of choking

(Book onto a first aid course too!)

💡 2. If you wish to puree foods, it is best to offer finger foods alongside. Purees can be eaten faster, are less 'filling' and not great for building oral function if eaten through a pouch, as a meal and just 'swallowed'. It is really easy to over eat fruits and subsequently sugars when in puree form compared to them in their solid form

💡 3. We grow up thinking of fruit and veg as healthy..which is true..but sometimes it takes away from the other food groups that are essential for growth and development. Don't forget to pair fruit and veg up with foods from another food group each time for balance

These are just a few of my little snippets for you all!

🏆 My name is Shami, and I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) tongue tie specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

If you are local and looking for a parent friendly first aid course .northstaffs can help!

09/03/2026

📢 Parents! Comment CHECKLIST and I will send you a FREE tongue tie symptom checklist straight to your inbox!

My name is Shami and I am a mum of three, feeding specialist working as an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and Tongue Tie Specialist in the Midlands, UK...this is my corner of the internet where I share my expertise with you 💚

I have put together a quick guide that covers a few of the many questions that I get asked about tongue tie on a daily basis. I am hoping that sharing this will increase understanding and awareness of tongue tie in babies for both parents and those working with/supporting parents.

I have a whole load of other FREE guides for you to access on my Instagram page so don't forget to follow!

This post is not intended to replace individual assessment and care planning, it is designed to raise awareness, understanding and to educate.

07/03/2026

💚 Here to reassure you that some babies can take a little longer to progress with solids for whatever reason and there are still some things we can twaek/change if needed

🏆 My name is Shami, and I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), Tongue Tie Specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

💬 Let's talk solids!

Here are some top tips that will help your little one learn to love their food:

1. Comfortable seating, feet secure (not dangling)
2. Sit your baby so they are facing you
3. Role model eating
4. Place foods on high chair tray and allow play
5. Try not to 'clean' them (interrupt) as they eat
6. Variety in texture, taste, colour and food groups
7. Frequency of exposure, a few times a day
8. Involve the family
9. Try not to focus on how much theyve eaten
10. Rather on how much they've enjoyed it

There is more to this list of course but this is a great starting point

If you are struggling with starting solids, get in touch with someone who is trained to support, your Health Visitor may be a good first person to call

06/03/2026

💚 Oral mapping is the process by which a baby develops a "mental map" of their oral cavity (mouth) by exploring, sensing, and coordinating movements of the tongue, lips, and jaw with food

This is best achieved when they eat whole foods or foods with structure and texture from 6 months. If your baby is eating by sucking from a pouch, the puree will land further in the mouth, require no chewing and likely be swallowed with little effort

You can still offer purees, they are okay in moderation, just not 'instead of' meals unless medically indicated

If you want to know more about why oral mapping matters, comment 'POUCH' and I will send you my FREE parent guide on fruit pouches and starting solids

Save this reel and send to a friend who is undecided about pouches!

This reel is for educational purposes and does not replace face to face, individual assessment and advice from a health professional

06/03/2026

💚 Starting solids doesn't mean starting bland!

Your baby can start enjoying mild spices and herbs from 6 months as you introduce solids alongside their usual milk feeds

Offering variety in flavours can help your baby to accept and enjoy a range of family foods as they grow

Think:

💡 Cinnamon in porridge

💡 Garlic and Oregano in pasta sauce

💡 Mild curry spices in lentils

💡 Fresh herbs in yoghurt or mashed veg

No added salt, no sugar, just flavour!

If you would like a list of spices and herbs to try with your little one, comment SPICE below and I will send you a DM with all the info 💚

Save this reel and send to a friend who is stuck in a plain food rut!

05/03/2026

📢 Top tips to increase milk yield during pump session:

Save this for later!

✅️ Check fl**ge size is correct
✅️ Relaxing environment
✅️ Use hands on pumping technique
✅️ Breast compressions and massage
✅️ Use double, electric pump where available
✅️ Feed baby from one side while expressing the other
✅️ Keep baby close or skin to skin
✅️ Watch videos of your baby if you are separated

🏆 My name is Shami, I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), tongue tie specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

If you are struggling to decide whether to double pump or if a single pump would be sufficient, seek out help 💚

This information is for learning and educational purposes and does not replace face to face consultation

03/03/2026

💚 If only it was as easy as being able to recommend 1 pump for all...but it isn't sadly!

When deciding on which pump to buy, ask yourself the following questions:

❓️How often will I be using the pump?

❓️Will hand expression be sufficient?

❓️Do I need to pump both sides at the same time?

❓️Am I trying to stimulate milk production?

❓️How much am I able to spend?

❓️Can I hire/borrow a pump instead?

❓️Is this my main pump or an addition?

❓️Would I benefit from a hands free pump?

It is definitely worth comparing specifications of different brands and measuring fl**ge sizes accurately

🏆 My name is Shami, I am an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), tongue tie specialist and mum of 3 working in the Midlands, UK. I share daily tips and answer your feeding questions here in my little corner of the internet so come join me by giving me a follow...

If you are struggling to decide which pump would best suit you, get help 💚

This information is for learning and educational purposes and does not replace face to face consultation

Thrive Infant Feeding

18/03/2026

17/03/2026

16/03/2026

13/03/2026

12/03/2026

10/03/2026

09/03/2026

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03/03/2026

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