How do I find a Lactation consultant

[wheredidmyfeetgo]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice, I'm pregnant with DC3 and would really like to be able to "properly" breastfeed this time.

When I say properly I mean not by giving EBM in a bottle.
DS1 was 5 weeks early, wouldn't feed properly, ended up with low blood sugars and spent the next two weeks in SCBU. I had no problem with milk supply, it came in the next day which even amazed the MW's as he hadn't spent the night with me. I struggled to feed him for about 12 weeks, it would take me over 15 mins to get him on, then it was only occasionaly it felt right! A couple of MW's checked latch and stuff but were no help, one even said she was shocked I had continued for as long as I had and to give up I then gave in to giving him EBM in a bottle and did this till he was 6.5 months

Then DS2 was boen when DS1 was 14 months. Again I never felt like he was feeding properly. I continued for 2 weeks, but ended up feeling soo stressed which was no good for any of us. Plus DS1 wasn't getting hardly any attention as getting DS2 to latch on then feed would take over an hour. After 2 weeks I started expressing and giving it in a bottle and life became a lot easier for all. I continued for 5.5 months but struggled to keep up with DS2 as he was a big baby and on the 91st centile very quickly.

With both DS's I tried nipple shields which helped a little but were still a faff and I was deffo not comfortable doing this in public as I couldn't find a way to be discreate.

Sorry for the ramble but I am so desperate to feed properly this time, and the Breastfeeding advice/ support I received from the Midwives was useless!

So has anyone got any recemmondations or know how to find a Lactation consultant

Oh and I live in Swindon btw.

Try this website www.lcgb.org

I have used lactation consultants with DC3 and it was great to have someone in my home on day 3 to help (no groups in my area til later in the week and was desperate!).

Also check your local groups. I went to one that a lactation consultant also volunteered for further assistance.

Good luck.

Congratulations on your third pregnancy. You're clearly very keen to breastfeeding, and you've done well to do EBM for so long with each of your babies.

It might be worth talking over what happened with your two previous babies, with a BF professional, before you have the new baby. You could call any of the BF organisation hotlines for free, confidental phone help. (BFN, ABM, NCT, LLL)

Yes, the lcgb is the organisation you want - afaik, the only UK people who will charge you for BF advice, and are competant and trustworthy, are from that organisation.

This page has a list of breastfeeding drop ins in Swindon, so you have some other (free) options.

Also, it looks like the NCT has two BF counsellors in your town. So they may be the best organisation to call, or you could call either of these women directly.

Oh, should have said, you will be welcome at a BF drop in while you are pregnant. It might be a good idea for you (and your DH/DP?) to learn the basics of positioning, approach and attachment, before your baby is born, if you haven't done that already, to make the first days easier ...

I'd say

• look on www.doula.org for a post natal doula. A number of these are also trained to help with bfing. I used a post natal doula when DS1 was born (difficult birth) after DH went to work for a few hours a day (worked out at £10 an hour) and she really helped me with a couple of issues I had in the early days of bfing but also with housework stuff (which is always a plus, especially when you have other kids around).

• get in touch with your local NCT group who should be able to put you in touch with local bfing groups. If you can go before you have the baby and establish if there are peer supporters (basically other mums who have been trained to help with bfing) in your area. My peer supporter came up to the hospital the day after DS1 was born to help establish bfing and without her I dont think I would have persevered.

Good luck.