Thompson method - breastfeeding

[Whataretheodds]

Couldn't find any existing threads on this - has anyone come across the Thompson method for Breastfeeding?

I'm getting loads of Instagram ads for it (I'm FTM, 36+5) and am interested in what the techniques might be/how they differ from what I'm hearing at the antenatal class.

I paid for the course, tbh I didn't find much of it hugely relevant and actually the practical advice and support from the midwives was more helpful when I was having a rough time establishing breastfeeding.

Thanks @frayble - did you find the course was trying to tell you to different things from what the midwife suggested?

I've been advised to let the baby try the breast crawl during the golden hour of skin to skin (aiming for a V birth but aware of possibility of a C).

I looked into the course but couldn't find any positive stories that didn't feel like ads.

If you're thinking of preparing for breastfeeding I think the best thing you can do is search for local lactation consultants now (look for ones that are IBCLC qualified), have details of any breastfeeding cafes / drop ins, contacts for the local la leche league and anything else that's local to you. Hopefully you won't need any help and it will all be fine, but speaking from experience when I did need help I found the act of trying to search for it incredibly stressful on top of an already stressful time. If I'd had the information to hand it would have been a little bit easier.

And don't worry if the birth / golden hour doesn't happen like you want. I had to have an emergency section at 27 weeks and wasn't allowed to touch my baby (who was rushed to NICU) for days. Despite that (and thanks to a hell of a lot of support) he came out of hospital EBF and I'm still breastfeeding him now at 10 months corrected.

I remember seeing the ads too, and being tempted. In the end I just got help from the breastfeeding team at the hospital and the community team. I found breastfeeding support to be the one thing the NHS did really well (at least near me). Different people had slightly different advice but I just picked the ideas that worked for me.

I'm a BF peer supporter at a long running IBCLC led free group.

The best thing you can do is find your nearest free lactation consultant led group and pop along. Although at ours we will prioritise seeing women with a baby that needs feeding, we'd be happy to chat for as much time as possible with a pregnant mum to go through latch basics.

It will be more valuable than you realise to have knowledge of where/when/how the group runs, where the car park is etc, as when you have a newborn going somewhere new can feel utterly overwhelming.

Many IBCLCs have a private practice so you can maybe use the money for this course on a private appointment instead once baby arrives. You'll be able to see if you like them, and they'll maybe also tell you about other groups (we have a couple we signpost mums to in case we don't run, or if baby is sleeping and won't wake for a feed at the cafe, etc).

Thanks all. I'm really lucky to have a peer breastfeeding support network near me, and I am linked in with them.

It's so difficult when you're bombarded with ads that say "don't do this thing the way everyone is telling you to do it" when everything is new and I assume when the baby arrives I will have really limited brain capacity to process new ideas or instructions!

I’ve never heard of it. What I found useful with my first was YouTubing good latches. I ended up with an EMCS and found a rugby ball hold was comfier than having the baby on my front sometimes. I also learnt to feed lying down asap which took a bit of practise to start with but makes life loads easier, especially at night.

"don't do this thing the way everyone is telling you to do it"

What does that even mean? You put the boob in the baby’s mouth and they get the milk out. What am I missing?

I fed DD till she was 3.5 and that was after taking 5 days for my milk to come in properly after the EMCS and her being very sleepy. DS came out screaming and fed on my chest while they were sewing me up, he knew exactly what he was doing and would have even if I’d done no research at all.

You will find it hard! But I would say at least 75% of the women we support have been to decent local Antenatal classes but when you're in the thick of newborn days it's hard to remember those things. Getting some info pre pregnancy (follow IBCLCs on Instagram for excellent images/videos/suggestions - I like to add them to a BF resources folder on my insta) would be my top suggestion. I see the Thompson method has a "rescue" Zoom option for £150ish - my IBCLC mentor charges £75 for an in person visit, which would be a better use of your hard earned cash!

I saw this lactation consultant in person, and she has a really good website with helpful videos. For a lot of people it is as simple as put the baby on the breast and they'll sort it out though!

Ignore the ads, and get local support if it turns out you need it.

It sounds like your DD was a natural. But in my 10+ years of experience, I have seen hundreds of mothers who "put the boob in the baby's mouth" and the baby doesn't get enough milk, or the mother suffers with cracked nipples, or recurrent mastitis. You were lucky but it's way more nuanced than that and if it was that simple, BF support simply wouldn't be needed.

I've taken their course, and I must say, the Thompson Method has been incredibly helpful. The course provided me with a comprehensive understanding of breastfeeding techniques and strategies that have made a significant difference in my journey as a new mom. From learning about proper latch techniques to understanding how to establish a good breastfeeding routine, the Thompson Method covers all the essential aspects of successful breastfeeding. I'm grateful for the knowledge and confidence it has given me, and I highly recommend it to any expectant or new mothers looking to navigate the breastfeeding experience with ease and success.

The last two posts read like promotion pages 🤣

The Op must have chosen by now anyway.

100%! 😂 the Thompson method sales team has a google alert going for online mentions so they can swoop in lol

Can’t be that good if you have to have such a hard sell! If you offer a valuable product, people will flock to you, without AI generated sounding rubbish like the above. 😂