​Frequently Asked Questions:

Should I breastfeed?

It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to breastfeed- some women don't want to but only very few are not able to.  

"While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby".~ Amy Spangler
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Babies are designed to grow best on breastmilk and breastmilk is designed with exactly the right ingredients for each baby at each stage. For instance, the milk of a preemie is very different to that for a full term baby because their growth will be different.

That is just looking at breastmilk as a food but there is so much more to breastfeeding than that; its good impact on the mother and the baby lasts way into their future physical and mental health.

​What types of situations might make breastfeeding a challenge?

Sometimes difficulties relate to the baby and sometimes it is to the mother:

Baby:

• If born early, unwell or by assisted birth a baby is more likely to experience difficulty feeding at least initially.
• A breech baby or birth when narcotic medications were taken, may delay the onset of coordinated feeding.​
• Birth type can affect breastfeeding ie assisted birth is known to have an impact, particularly Caesarean Section.
• Assisted conception, diabetes and other hormonal imbalances such as thyroid and polycystic ovarian conditions may affect the onset of a robust production.
• Sore nipples, engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis are all on the list of challenges that Lactation Consultants assist with.

​​Mother:

• Birth type can affect breastfeeding ie assisted birth is known to have an impact, particularly Caesarean Section.
• Assisted conception, diabetes and other hormonal imbalances such as thyroid and polycystic ovarian conditions may affect the onset of a robust production.​
• Sore nipples, engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis are all on the list of challenges that Lactation Consultants assist with.

How can I get breastfeeding off to a great start?

There are 2 aspects here- one is the timing and the second is the positioning

• Once baby is birthed (providing that you are both well) just rest back with baby over the top of your bare chest, between your breasts with baby's head up and legs down towards your legs. Many baby  mammals function best when positioned over the mother- like the pups.
• This skin to skin contact straight after the birth and for the first hour is crucial to helping the baby 's newborn feeding reflexes but also to give the best chance of having a great milk supply early.
• Forget your phone and social media; forget the weight and friends who may be waiting- even forget the details that the grandparents want- sorry grandies- this is the absolutely best way to get the breastfeeding success set up.
• If you want to know more about the human baby side of this, have a look for any articles by:  Suzanne Colson- Biological Nurturing;  Nancy Mohrbacher-Natural Breastfeeding; ​ Christina Smillie- Baby Led and Laid Back Breastfeeding.

What is a lactation consultant: IBCLC?

This is an international qualification, only awarded to those who pass the strict global criteria and choose to specialise in Breastfeeding and Lactation management.

​Lactation Consultants specialise in breastfeeding management and have passed the IBLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners) exam criteria which includes practical experience pathways.

They are trained to assist in prevention and solving of many breastfeeding difficulties including: low milk supply or overabundant milk supply; sore or damaged nipples; babies who are not gaining weight appropriately.  

They are able to help breastfeeding parents in their goals for breastfeeding  which may include an early return to work or how to wean as a baby gets older.

LC's assess and assist with breastfeeding and help set up individual plans and information for the families in their care.

They can be found in many settings including hospitals, clinics and private practice. They are able to promote policy and societal changes to help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding.

Care adheres to the: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Code of Ethics and World Health Organisation Standards.

where else can I get help with breastfeeding?

Australian Breastfeeding Association:      
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/  
24/7 hotline:  1800 686 268 
Download the free Mum2Mum app 

LCANZ ie Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand:
Find a Lactation Consultant
https://www.lcanz.org/find-a-lactation-consultant/

Why use a LActation Consultant?

IBCLC ( International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) are highly skilled in the Breastfeeding and Lactation Speciality.
Lactation Consultants:

• Assess Breastfeeding and Lactation and look at what is normal or what could improve from the mother and the baby side of feeding.
• Assist with Breastfeeding itself, using a ‘hands off’ approach when possible.
• Evaluate what will work in your individual circumstances.

What Does a consultation involve?

Initial consultation fee includes:

• ​A detailed history will be obtained by an online form, prior to the consult, so that I have an understanding of your background and lactation/breastfeeding history and current and/or past difficulties. This also saves time for the actual consult.
• Travel up to Twin Waters down to Caloundra or out to the Nambour area (within a 20 km radius, is included).
• Consults are usually around 1.5 to 2 hrs:
  • Feeding will be observed so that an assessment can be made.
  • A detailed individualised plan and information sheets &/or links will be sent to you (as necessary).​
  • Baby can be weighed and the red book will be completed, if you require.
  • Unrestricted follow-up back and forth ‘chats’ for the following 2 weeks. Extra complex extended advice and contact will need to be invoiced separately.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Will my health fund cover the lactation consult?

There is limited opportunity to be able to claim back through Health Funds as an IBCLC, now that I have retired from Nursing and Midwifery. I apologise, in advance, for that.
GU Health, MBP- Growing Families Range, NIB, Onemedifund and TUH do allow clients to claim.

Do I need to pay at the time of the consultation?

An Invoice will be emailed and payment by direct bank deposit is within 2 weeks of the invoice.

are you doing home visits during Covid-19?

• In order to keep the families under my care safe and whilst health recommendations continue with social distancing and limiting contacts, discussions and problem solving may be by video link, messaging and phone.
• It depends on the situation at the time and we know that flare-ups need to be acted on promptly.
• If anyone in your family has had recent contact with someone with Covid, or you or your household has a high temperature, cold, cough, runny nose- or if I do- then a home visit should NOT take place and we should look at options.

If anyone in the family is unwell, should I continue to breastfeed?

Health advice has been that breastfeeding should continue; families should be extremely diligent with hand washing, cleaning surfaces and wear a mask if in the vicinity of the baby, if you have symptoms.
Contact with anyone else apart from the parents, at this time, should be restricted as much as possible.

This is the Biological norm for baby humans and baby puppies ie leaning over the mum helps kick start the newborn reflexes.
Yes- right from birth!

Contact me for a chat