Breastfeeding counsellors in Hove/Brighton

[theduchesse]

I have a friend who has a 2 week old baby and is having trouble with breastfeeding. It is causing a lot of pain and she has tried to get support from her HV/midwife but hasn't had much luck. I was hoping to point her in the direction of a breastfeeding counsellor who she could see face to face to check her latch but I keep getting sent in circles when I ring children's centres/NHS etc.

I live in London and found it difficult to track down help myself when my son was born but have since found out that it was out there just not advertised well. I thought this might be the case here too and was hoping one of you lovely locals might be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

I know just the person - Cathy Fry. She's absolutely lovely, very knowledgeable and is connected to the Brighton NCT group.

She also takes part in a breast-feeding support group in the Hanover area of Brighton. Or she was when my DS was born, in September (I went for a few weeks).

Cathy helped me with positioning - breast feeding quickly became very easy. She also helped two other friends, one of whom was experiencing pain, as your poor friend is.

The breast feeding support group might be a good place for your friend to start, even if Cathy is no longer one of the counsellors. You can sit and chat with the other mums and make an appointment with a counsellor to discuss bf and any issues you're having during the session. There are a few counsellors and they were all nice. You can go as many times as you need and continue going just for the tea and conversation when breast-feeding is no longer a problem.

The group is on Tuesday mornings between 10.30am and 12.30pm. In the Hanover Centre on Southover Street. It costs a couple of quid each time but you get advice and tea/coffee made for you.

Hope this helps

Thank you that sounds perfect. I knew something would be out there. I will pass the details on.

They also run a drop in at Hove Polyclinic that I found incredibly helpful, Wednesdays from 2-3.30. Googling it I found this contact Linda: 01273 242021, she is an ace counsellor and the counsellors certainly used to visit women at home as well so I'd suggest your friend give her a ring rather than wait til Weds.

There are voluntary bf peer supporters as well, she might be able to put your friend in touch with one too, though I have no idea whether they visit or are at the clinic.

Hope she gets help soon, I shall love my counsellor forever for helping me sort out early probs. Still bfing now and DD is 3 and a bit

Thank you Zoldberg, sounds really good. Early support makes all the difference doesn't it?