Breastfeeding Support
Both antenatal and postnatal
I am an experienced breastfeeding specialist and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) supporting clients throughout London to reach their infant feeding goals. I have been a volunteer with Kingston Hospital's Infant Feeding Clinic and I currently also work in the Infant Feeding Team at Chelsea Westminster NHS Hospital Trust.
I provide accurate, current and evidence-based information about infant feeding and lactation to the families I support.
I follow up with all my consultations with an extensive written list of links to trusted sources on topics we discussed. I offer ongoing support over whatsapp after a consultation, and offer follow up consultations at a reduced client fee.
Studies indicate that 80% of women give up breastfeeding before they actually want to. This comes down to a multitude of reasons, such as lack of skilled support, pressure from friends/family, misinformation from providers or others, and a lack of understanding of how breastmilk production and milk supply work. I will answer your questions, provide education on lactation, offer advice and tips to both parents on how to position you and your baby to optimise a deep, and thus pain free latch, so that feeding is enjoyable, relaxing and fulfilling.
I support the parent's choice, and I will do my best to help them reflect on what is right for them, their baby, and their family.
Why choose an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help you with breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding?
IBCLCs are regulated by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and work within a code of professional conduct and are subject to disciplinary procedure.
The IBCLC credential is internationally recognised and has strict and rigorous requirements to obtain it. Just to qualify in order to sit the exam for the qualification we have to complete:
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95 hours of lactation education, including five hours focused on communication skills
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two hours of World Health Organisation (WHO) code education
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14 Health Science courses.
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1000 hours of clinical practice with the mother-baby dyad in an appropriate supervised setting
Additionally, we are required to recertify every 5 years 75 hours of continuing education.
As a result, IBCLCs are highly experienced, and highly trained to help parents and babies to breastfeed. We can help with both basic and complex breastfeeding challenges.
I am a member of Lactation Consultants of Great Britain (LCGB), a registered charity working to improve the health and wellbeing of families through advocacy and expert IBCLC breastfeeding care.
IBCLC Certification Number: L-316448
Lactation Consultation Services
PLAN AHEAD PACKAGE
Before Baby's Arrival
Still pregnant ant to set yourself up for success for breastfeeding and the 4th trimester?
Book a triple session package of:
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3 hour Infant Feeding and 4th trimester Antenatal Session (Matresence Journal and full range of resources included)
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1.5-2 hour immediate post birth Lactation Consultation
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1-1.5 hour follow up Lactation Consultation
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And include ongoing whatsapp support.
Fee: £365
ASAP Lactation Consultation -
Single visit
After Baby's Arrival
Having an issue you need immediate help with?
Contact me for my immediate availability. I can usually come same-day, the next day, or the day after.
Consultations:
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Are 1.5 hours (I will go up to 2 hours if needed, without extra charge)
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Will include a follow up email with links to trusted sources for topics we discuss,
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And include ongoing whatsapp support.
Fee: £180 (Follow up visits £75)
ASAP Lactation Consultation
Plus Follow up Bundle
After Baby's Arrival
Having an issue you need immediate help with and want follow ups to make sure you can remain on the right track?
Book a triple session package of:
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3 Consultations: total,
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First visit: 1.5-2hrs
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2nd and 3rd visit: 1-1.5 hrs
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Include a follow up email with links to trusted sources for topics we discuss,
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Include ongoing whatsapp support.
Fee: £375
Plan Ahead Package
Set Yourself Up for Success!
The UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. We don't live in a breastfeeding culture so we are ten steps back from having that intuitive knowledge we gain by growing up seeing other women breastfeed in public. Plus, what's the 4th trimester really going to be like!?
In this triple session package my goal is to have you feeling more informed, more confident and more grounded in your decisions.
First session: 3 hours
We will cover a good foundational knowledge of Breastfeeding so you feel more confident, and your partner feels informed about how to support you. We will look at important topics such as Position and Attachment, what 'good drinking' looks like, how to know whether your baby is getting enough, and much much more.
Additionally, we will look at 6 domains of the 4th trimester and cover:
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supporting the mother;
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supporting the baby;
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supporting the father/partner.
Second Session: 1.2 - 2 hours
Once you've had your baby contact me for your 'post birth' Lactation Consultation where we will go over everything that's coming up for you, troubleshoot any issues, and address any optimisation of the position and attachment of baby. We will come up with a plan so that you feel confident.
Third session: 1 - 1.5 hours
Review the plan and tweak as needed. Discuss what's going on for you at that point and address any concerns, as well as celebrate your successes.
ASAP Lactation Consultation
Single Visit
Congratulations on the Birth of your baby! You are looking here as you have hit a 'bump in the road' in your feeding journey and need some support.
My consultations are tailored to your needs. I will support you in helping you reach your goals in how you want to feed your baby.
I will listen to you and your baby’s clinical history and then offer to observe a feed, and address your specific need. I provide a thorough assessment of you and your baby’s breastfeeding (or bottle feeding) technique.
Additionally, in our discussion we can address:
Breastfeeding Positions, what's comfortable for you
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Attachment: How to get a good latch (pain free with an effective transfer of milk!)
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What does “good drinking” look like? (Is that swallowing, or just sucking?)
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How do you know your baby is getting enough?
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How to encourage a good milk supply.
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Frequency of feeding, importance of skin to skin, what are reasonable expectations, and normal infant behaviour
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Pumping and paced bottle feeding
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An infant oral assessment, if required
I will follow up our session with a detailed plan covering all we discussed and include trusted resources for troubleshooting as well information for practical management of breastfeeding.
ASAP Lactation Consultation
Plus Follow up Bundle
It's all about continuity of support, and seeing you through your journey. Consultations:
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3 Visits total,
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First visit: 1.5-2hrs
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2nd and 3rd visit: 1-1.5 hrs
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Include a follow up email with links to trusted sources for topics we discuss,
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Include 0ngoing whatsapp support.
My consultations are tailored to your needs. I will support you in helping you reach your goals in how you want to feed your baby.
I will listen to you and your baby’s clinical history and then offer to observe a feed, and address your specific need. I provide a thorough assessment of you and your baby’s breastfeeding (or bottle feeding) technique. Additionally, we can discuss all topics as noted above. on we can address:
I will follow up our session with a detailed plan covering all we discussed and include trusted resources for troubleshooting as well information for practical management of breastfeeding.
We will use your second and third visits to follow up with any changes to your plan, tweak anything as necessary, and go through any new questions or issues that may have arose as time has progressed.
Breastfeeding Client Stories
Erin was our Postnatal Doula and she provided so much breastfeeding support. She was able to help with latch and help with a journey through possible allergy, so therefore diet related support for me and baby. She helped with managing reflux (argh the reflux!!) while all the time looking after my emotional well-being and struggles. And she always had someone to signpost to for additional help when it was necessary.
What an amazing support to us you were in those first few months Erin, thank you so much xxxx
Chloe
After my daughter was born 7 weeks early, I was struggling emotionally and practically with feeding so we hired Erin as our postnatal doula to support me on my second motherhood and breastfeeding journey. After every visit, she left us both feeling calmer and more regulated, and reinvigorated to continue trying to breastfeed despite the odds. Alina was diagnosed with complex feeding issues, including reflux, oral dysfunction and sensory processing delays, which left us battle feeding aversions, including nursing and bottle strikes, but Erin stayed at our side throughout including during hospital visits and admissions.
It was clear the medical team came to respect her input and I felt safer with her by my side. Erin’s lactation practice is research informed, gentle, holistic and respectful of mum and baby’s needs and feelings. Her passion and enthusiasm has captured and inspired me to the extent I will train to become a breastfeeding peer supporter, and hope one day to train as an IBCLC and postnatal doula!
Imogen
