There is increasing concern for the risk of hypernatremic dehydration in infants breastfeeding poorly. It is important to differentiate normal weight changes as infants adapt to extrauterine life from excessive weight loss from breastfeeding failure or mismanagement. We review recent data on normal weight changes in exclusively breastfeeding infants and those at risk for hypernatremic dehydration to help health professionals determine when infants require further scrutiny and supplementation. The data suggest that perinatal practices influence infant weight changes. Protecting normal birth and early initiation of breastfeeding should reduce the incidence of excessive weight loss and risk of hypernatremic dehydration

What is the prevalence of tongue-tie (the proportion of total cases in a population)? Is the incidence (occurrence of new cases) increasing or are clinicians simply identifying it more often? The most reliable way to estimate incidence and prevalence is through population-based epidemiological studies. So far, these are limited. However, there has been some research that allows us to approximate rates. Our expert panel offers their judgment on two questions: What is the approximate percentage of babies with tongue-tie? And is incidence increasing?

News reports of decreased nonverbal reasoning in 6-year-old children exposed to alcohol in breast milk have ignited both concern about drinking during lactation and accusations of mother-shaming. Lactation consultants are often asked about the safety of drinking alcoholic beverages during lactation. Placing this study in the context of other research about alcohol use by lactating parents and the outcomes for their children can help provide evidence to support continued breastfeeding and child safety.

Posterior tongue-tie is another controversial topic in the tongue-tie world. A posterior tongue-tie is a class-IV tongue-tie. It may be submucosal (i.e., underneath the mucous membrane covering). Babies with this kind of tie are often misidentified as having a short tongue. Revision is more involved, and there is disagreement about whether this condition exists, and to what extent. Our panelists weigh in on this topic.

Do parents have any alternatives to surgery for addressing tongue-tie? Our panelists agree that latch issues should be assessed first. Other modalities include physical therapy, speech therapy, chiropractic, and craniosacral therapy. In addition, infants should be assessed for other issues, such as torticollis, that may co-occur with tongue-tie. For some parents, complementary techniques may be all that they need to address tongue-tie–related issues. For other parents, surgical release will still be necessary.

Tongue-tie can cause many serious breastfeeding problems and even lead to breastfeeding cessation. As the mothers’ stories listed in “When Tongue-Ties Were Missed: Mothers’ Stories” attest, healthcare providers often do not correctly identify when a baby has a tongue-tie. Assessing tongue-tie is essential. What should clinicians look for? Which professionals should be the ones identifying and identifying tongue-tie? Assessing tongue-tie is the focus of this article.

Breast surgery increases the risk for difficulties with milk production and breastfeeding. Research on lactation outcomes of breast augmentation with implants is reassuring, but reveals a significant risk of low milk production that varies with the type of surgery and position of the implants. Understanding the potential effects of breast implants on breastfeeding can help lactation professionals optimize outcomes for families with a history of augmentation mammaplasty.