experiences/opinions on lactation consultants

[sprite25]

Just that really, only one who works anywhere near my area and didn't think I could afford it but starting to think it might be the only way I can breast feed. Tried speaking to HV (useless), I've been to a local BF group and spoken to an NCT counsellor who suggested a few things that I've tried but haven't worked so far. I think I need some proper 1 to 1 and someone to watch a full feed, just don't wanna waste money I don't really have if their no good and I still have problems.

I really struggled with bf DS1 (2008) and phoned a woman whose contact details were on an NCT leaflet I'd got from hospital where DS was born. She suggested I come to her house there and then. When I arrived she was clearly preparing a family meal but spent about an hour with me and gave fantastic advice which really helped. She refused to take any payment but commented that she was probably going to retire from her voluntary services soon as had been doing it for many years and was now mid 60's with lots of grandchildren. I recently heard that a colleague had been to see her a couple of months ago and successfully established bf with her newborn daughter following this woman's help, so she's still there quietly helping bfeeders in need
I've no doubt this wonderful woman has given hours of her time and helped hundreds of new mothers who would otherwise have struggled / given up.
Hope you find a specialist equally as good (this woman is in South Manchester). Have you tried La Leche? They have some excellent volunteers.

sprite, NCT breastfeeding counsellors will see you in person, too, depending on their availability. Most of us do home visits or have women visit us. It's free.

I agree - one to one, observation of feeding, are sometimes the only real help that works in some situations.

Tiktok how do you go about getting an NCT counsellor to do a home visit?

Just ask her! :)

I called the NCT helpline in tears one Sunday night 10 (!) years ago. I spoke to a lovely lady who understood completely, and gave me the number of an NCT bfeeding counsellor near me. This lady came out the following day, watched me feed DD1 and identified the problem immediately. It took a little while to sort out the problems I'd created (sore, badly cracked nipples) but that lovely woman ensured that I could keep on bfeeding DD1 (and, indirectly, that I bfed both subsequent DCs for over 10 months). She was a lifesaver, and all I had to do was ask.

A couple of years ago, I managed to trace the lady on the phone via someone on here, and was able to pass on my thanks to her - she was so good and kind to a very sad stranger on the phone and i still think of her fondly.

Just checked for my local NCT counsellor on the NCT website and am SHOCKED that it's my health visitor! I've tried talking to her three times about the problems I've been having and she's just said she doesn't know why it's happening and has just told me to 'keep feeding her at night or it will dry up' despite me explaining for 10 minutes that I can't keep DD on the breast to feed. I think I would rather go with a lactation consultant as I really want to keep BF but so far HV has been useless!

Sprite, are you sure? Breastfeeding counsellors are not listed on the NCT website (maybe you mean your local website or facebook page?).

There maybe be other NCT breastfeeding counsellors in your area - try calling the helpline and asking.

What about the one you met at the bf group?

What's the issue with your bf?

Some NCT bf counsellors are listed on the websites for their local group.

I think some IBCLCs can be ok.

The phone lines are a cheaper option, and ok, nobody on the phone line can watch you feed, but they can help quite a bit.

Yes her name was on the site for local counsellors, the lady at the BF group was a volunteering Mum who had a few suggestions. It's a bit of a long story but DD is 5 weeks old, she had a bad latch and caused me very sore nipples due to a tongue tie. She was losing too much weight and I was getting very down so MW said to cup feed her a top up of formula. TT was snipped at a week and a half but she wouldn't wean off the formula and was constantly unsettled and crying when I tried to just breast feed her. It got to the point where she's now mostly FF from bottles. I try to express what I can but it's getting less and less (an ounce at most) and whenever I try to put her on the breast she seems to latch on fine, does a few deep sucks and swallows but then starts fussing (twisting her head about, bobbing on and off, kicking and grabbing, crying and arching her back). I've tried feeding her in different positions and burping her frequently but she ends up getting so distressed we end up having to give her a bottle of formula which she takes fine, she always seems to be worse at this at night which I think is affecting supply as I no longer have feelings of fullness or any leaking and letdown when I express is very slow. Sorry for the novel :-S

Hi Sprite sorry to hear of the issues you have been having. I paid for a very experienced breastfeeding consultant to come out and visit me at home when DS was small, she was brilliant. I will Message you her details. It was around £100 over 6 years ago and she is based in London, but might be worth speaking to her on the phone to get her advice. All the very best and hope things improve soon
xx

I had a similar experience, hv etc were no help at all and in the end the doctor told me the excruciating pain was thrush! I cracked and booked a lactation consultant, very reasonable at £55 and was best £55 I ever spent! With a successful latch it was instantly pain free!

Didn't know about the nct counsellor s though!

sprite, what a difficult situation :(

It sounds as if you need information and support on relactation - you need a proper plan of campaign.

Just feeding when you can and trying to express won't fix this - even amending the latch won't do it.

You could google relactation and see the options.

It will involve a good pump, probably expressing both breasts at once, at least 8 x a day, possibly a nursing supplementer, and loads of TLC for you because it is not easy. You need to work out a plan to reduce the formula (I'd say work this out with your HV but it doesn't sound as if you have much confidence in her :( )

The good news is your baby is only 5 weeks and things can be turned round more easily than with a much older baby.

Where are you? There's a fantastic (private, but only £20) drop-in in Queens Park in London that I can give a lot of credit to for saving my bf relationship with DD. I went several times, despite it being a longish slog on the tube involving a change (I just tucked DD into a stretchy sling). PM me if you want the details.

Also, have you had your DD's TT rechecked? I had DD snipped three times in the end as it kept on reattaching.

Tried all the suggestions I had from BF group and NCT (taking a warm bath to relax,skin to skin, using the laid back position) DD did the usual and ended up screaming, Sat and cried as she guzzled down a bottle of formula. I looked up relactation and think it might be what's needed but hate that things have got that bad and wonder if I have the strength (physically, mentally and emotionally) to do it. Also selfishly feel bad that if I stop BF then I can't go back to the BF group where there were other mums I feel I could of made friends with.

sprite, the suggestions made are good ones, but if they did not work, it sounds like your baby is resisting the breast and repeated attempts may make things worse. It's probably not good to try to insist - though skin to skin and just letting her hang out like that is fine.

Relactation does need motivation and patience - have you got a bf pal who will support you? It should not take too long, as I said....at 5 wks things can be turned round fairly quickly if you are persistant and stick to the expressing routine. Your partner needs to be on board with it, too.

If she was resisting the breast would she fall asleep there etc? She's been slightly better last night and today, I've put her there before she gets too hungry in the laid back position before each feed but she still ends up fussing and crying or she falls asleep without having a proper feed. I don't really have any friends, only a couple at work and none of them have breastfed which is why I don't wanna have to give up going to the breastfeeding group as was hoping to get to know at least 1 other Mum.

It's great she falls asleep at the breast...means her resistance is not deep! Yes, keep up with skin to skin and offering before she gets too cross or upset.. But I think it's still the case you need to work out a plan. She's having a lot of formula and you will need to decide how to reduce it safely. The bf group might help with this.

Ok that's good I'm glad she's still showing signs that it can still be a positive thing for her. I'm going back to the BF group on Friday but the lady I spoke to last week won't be there this week. Have also been in touch with a lactation consultant about a possible home visit on Monday but am still a bit unsure about this and will see how it goes on Friday and over the weekend. I've been trying to pump after every feed but have noticed that the increased pumping has meant a slight blanching of my nipples whrich doesn't seem to hurt but is just another thing to worry about :-S