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AIBU?

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Original poster

The price of breastfeeding support!

15 replies

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 07/05/2024 23:08

My sister has got a new baby and is really struggling to breastfeed.

She’s booked a two hour home visit from a Lactation Consultant in 2 days time and she’s paying £200 for it!

Does that sound right?

I know they are highly qualified but that seems like a lot of money to me?

I have suggested she try some local breastfeeding support groups first but she’s adamant she wants to see the Lactation Consultant as she came recommended.

Has anyone else used one and found the pricing to be similar?

OP posts:
MalibuBarbieDreamHouse · 07/05/2024 23:10

I went to a free support group with my first! If she is having trouble and it gives her peace of mind, it may be worth it.

Laruca · 07/05/2024 23:18

I paid £150 a few months ago for a home visit of a lactation consultant. In addition to going to the free breastfeeding support groups, I have paid for a lactation consultant three times (one with each of my kids). In my case it was money well spent; I managed to successfully breastfeed my two older kids until they were 2 and I am still breastfeeding the youngest at 9 months. In my experience, the lactation consultants give better support and advice than the free breastfeeding support groups.

Wrongsideofpennines · 07/05/2024 23:19

When I looked into using one it was about £90 for an hour so probably not far off. They usually provide some kind of messaging follow up service after too.

In the end I managed with support from the infant feeding team at the hospital and experienced peer supporters at La Leche League.

DidSomebodySayEnnui · 07/05/2024 23:36

I would say that lactation consultants are super highly trained, they have to do about 1000 hours of training before they can call themselves that.
They are independent.
If you think that if you get your bf journey off to a good start you would not have to buy formula at £12 a box... it's a good investment

Yellowhammer09 · 07/05/2024 23:43

With a 2 week old baby I had a lactation consultant visit me at home pre-pandemic for £150 for the session. It was the best decision I'd made - totally worth it imo. From about 4 weeks I easily breastfed, it has been pumping and bfing until then. The consultant's advice was invaluable.

I wouldn't be surprised that it's £200ish or more now.

takeitorleave · 07/05/2024 23:52

NCT run a free BF helpline and if you need it will do home visits free of charge if you are fairly close to one

Alloveragain3 · 07/05/2024 23:56

I paid similar, yes.

They also checked for tongue tie and the cost of snipping the tongue tie would have been included if needed (which it wasn't, thankfully).

It was worth the money as we had lots of time to chat one-on-one, she watched a feed and she then gave loads of specific and tailored advice.

I was then sent emails/videos and had a follow up call.

I'd have considered a group but there weren't any in my area and, in the end, I think the one on one consult was for the best.

Home visit sounds ideal with such a tiny baby.

Missscarletintheconservatory · 07/05/2024 23:56

I paid something similar, maybe a tad less two years ago. Midwives in the hospital were not just useless, they were pushing formula when I had always wanted to breastfeed.
I did go to a free group but it was not the same as getting the lactation consultant out to my home and spending dedicated time, showing positions I could use in my own home. I had a few sessions. It’s not cheap but they are highly trained and usually include some follow up and email or messaging advice.
There is a national breastfeeding phone line too for advice.

On a very basic level I would say if your sister is struggling have lots of skin to skin, baby with her not being passed around and make sure if there are other people they feed your sister and look after her so she can look after the baby. If she isn’t comfortable having her boobs out in front of the visitors then the visitors can wait, it really is all about the baby. Breastfeeding is a new skill, so a lactation consultant is like an intensive 1-1 tuition that is an investment (hopefully). I paid so much to the lactation consultant but don’t think I would have got breastfeeding established without her. The earlier help is sought the better, but it is also early days so
could be a matter of milk coming in soon and the baby learning to latch.

Congratulations on becoming an auntie.

Hagpie · 08/05/2024 00:07

Wow I was offered a lactation consultant for free before I left the hospital! They were even saying there’s one in the hospital right now if I want to wait to be discharged for a bit. Wooooow I had no idea!

TwoTimesShoeShop · 08/05/2024 00:10

Alloveragain3 · 07/05/2024 23:56

I paid similar, yes.

They also checked for tongue tie and the cost of snipping the tongue tie would have been included if needed (which it wasn't, thankfully).

It was worth the money as we had lots of time to chat one-on-one, she watched a feed and she then gave loads of specific and tailored advice.

I was then sent emails/videos and had a follow up call.

I'd have considered a group but there weren't any in my area and, in the end, I think the one on one consult was for the best.

Home visit sounds ideal with such a tiny baby.

The groups do one on one, you don't all just get advice together.

My local groups have lactation consultants so I'd try there first. My ones are run by NCT but are free and you don't need to be a member.

AhBiscuits · 08/05/2024 00:13

I think that's reasonable for 2 hours.

WalkWithMeSuzieLee · 08/05/2024 00:20

Agree with the price being about right but also recommend going to a group first (my local one for example is a snall independent charity, the women who run it are extremely knowledgeable and will spend one to one time with anyone requiring it).

Applesandpears23 · 08/05/2024 00:21

If she’s struggling it is really worth it for the convenience and support of having someone who can come to her and focus on her. The support groups can be good but won’t be able to give her so much time. The support groups are good for hints and tips to make things easier and try different positions. But you can’t beat a 1-1 with a lactation consultant if she has pain or there is any concern about baby’s weight gain.

Original poster
ExcitedButNervous0424 · 08/05/2024 07:08

Thank you everyone.

My sister said a large part of the attraction is that someone is coming to the home to see her as she doesn’t want to go out. She said the baby is constantly fussing at the breast, the feeds are painful and my sister can’t stop crying - she said she can’t face going out and sitting in a shared space with other women and having to deal with it.

She spoke to her HV about local breast feeding groups and they are 1.5 hours long and operate on a “walk-in” basis so she obviously wouldn’t be getting a lengthy 1-2-1 private session like the one she’s paying for.

I’m relieved to hear the cost isn’t too shocking as I was just worried my sister was being taken advantage of.

I suppose for women who really want to breastfeed it’s seen as a small sacrifice if it results in a baby who can breastfeed well with no pain to the mother.

OP posts:
Therageisreal · 08/05/2024 07:11

For a 2 hour home visit for a qualified medical professional, it’s a bargain.

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