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A Google search will yield many different types of lactation consultants.  Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant's (IBCLC's) are recognized as the gold standard credential for professionals who work with lactating families.  IBCLC's have a global governing body (IBLCE), a strict scope of practice, clearly defined clinical competencies, and a professional code of conduct.  To become an IBCLC, candidates must hold an in depth health sciences education, have obtained a minimum of 95 hours of lactation specific education (most physicians have less than 2 hours of lactation specific education), and a minimum of 300 hours (often much more!) of clinical lactation practice prior to writing a comprehensive licensing examination.  An IBCLC must recertify with IBLCE every 5 years to maintain their license and they are committed to ongoing education and maintaining clinical competency. 

During fetal development the tongue separates from the roof of the mouth.  A band of tissue (frenulum) remains and if that band of tissue causes difficulty feeding, it is often referred to as a "tongue tie".  A restricted frenulum can affect the function of the tongue, which needs to move freely for the infant to breast/body/bottle feed efficiently and effectively.  It is not about how the frenulum looks, but about how it functions!!  Some "minor ties" are tight and restrictive.  Some very "obvious ties" are elastic and stretchy.  The frenulum doesn't always need to be released.  If you are concerned about a potentially tight frenulum, your baby should be given a thorough evaluation by a skilled practitioner if you are experiencing feeding difficulties.  

The babies position in the womb or birth canal, and interventions during birth can cause tension in their facial muscles, neck, shoulders, spine, etc.  "Tongue ties" are also accompanied by muscle tension and poor alignment.  

Physiotherapy and chiropractic care can release muscle tension, maximize range of motion, and increase the strength of the tongue, increasing the babies ability to efficiently and comfortably feed from both the breast/body and bottle.   

There are many skilled practitioners in Sherwood Park and Edmonton who are specially trained to treat infants and pediatric patients.