Has anyone used the Thompson Method for Breastfeeding?

[Luna88]

I am a first time mummy to be and feel quite passionate about breastfeeding. I have heard it can be so painful and only 15% of mums continue to breastfeed to 6 months. I have found this Australian method which promises of pain free breastfeeding, which understandably sounds like something every mother would like to experience! It’s called the Thompson Method and they have an offer on at the moment selling all the information including videos and seminars at half price. I just wondered if anyone had used it or knew anyone that had? Is it really as good as it sounds?
Thank you!

I personally wouldn’t recommend it, I found some information interesting but honestly didn’t end up following the method much at all and ended up reverting back to “normal” techniques.

Dr Robyn goes against a lot of what you get taught/read and “simplifies” things that I found just didn’t work for me and my baby.

Unless you’re willing to pay extra for a one on one, you only ever get very generic advice if you ask a question or are looking for support. The answers are usually very vague and you get directed to the same videos over and over again to watch (which by the time you’re asking a question, you’ve generally already watched). Sometimes the admin people will get Dr Robyn’s advice if it’s a question they can’t answer by directing you to a video, but Dr Robyn regularly answers with “I don’t know your history” and makes you feel like you need to pay for a one on one to get an accurate answer or any proper support. The one on ones also give you access to a premium support group, I’m assuming this may be better than the general one you pay and sign up to, but can’t say from experience.

In saying all of this, there are definitely members that rave about their experience and are super thankful for the method, so I think it just comes down to personal experience.

Personally I wouldnt pay for any kind of course or service for a baby or child until I had need to - I wouldnt preempt.

I breastfed DS for 18 months. I can hand on heart say it didnt hurt once. The only problem we had was I never mastered feeding laying down. That was it. Weightgain, latch etc etc was all great.

Sleep on the other hand was a nightmare and the 200 quid we gave to a sleep consultant was the best money I've ever spent.

First of all I want to acknowledge that breastfeeding is a tricky and emotional topic for a lot of people and understand that there is a danger for people to feel desperate to look for something to help which leaves the opportunity for them to be taken advantage of so I appreciate much of the criticism above.

I’m a FTM living in the UK and my daughter is currently 9 weeks. I paid (half price deal) for the Thompson method program while pregnant during COVID lockdown and was feeling a bit of heightened anxiety about all aspects of birth and early baby care. I knew a lot of people who had really struggled with breastfeeding and I was keen for it to go well for us . Personally I think I would recommend it and so far breastfeeding is going great for us 🙂

I didn’t know much about breastfeeding and the videos were really helpful to help me understand positioning and all of the different factors to consider related to breastfeeding. I also found that the t helped me understand the biology really well in a simplified manner (I have an undergrad degree in physiology and a doctorate in clinical health profession in case that seems relevant). I found it was useful to have a coherent overall approach to breastfeeeding. I suspect a lot of what they say isn’t that novel but to find that level of detail of information would probably have taken quite an effort and been a bit more confusing.

Overall the main positive of it was helping me feel much more confident about breastfeeding and trusting my own judgement. The advice they give is informative and respectful, encourages you to make your own decisions but helps you be aware of all the different considerations. I don’t stick to the “method” completely either but have used the programme to educate myself. I’ve tried seeking guidance from other sources including midwives, health visitor and local breastfeeding support group and found it nowhere near as good. I also did NCT antenatal classes and was rung disappointed with the breastfeeding component.

It is a business so they understandably market themselves and offer various upgrades etc. Also - the reason this thread is now getting so much attention is because they posted on their Facebook page inviting users of the “method” to give a bit of a review on this thread - make of that what you will but there was no pressuring or anything and so I believe the positive posts above are valid. Interestingly it almost always seem to be on offer. When I think about how much I spend on a pair of jeans or even a breast pump I don’t think it seemed like a lot of money to help me figure out how to actually breastfeed. Full price (if it ever goes to full price) does seem a bit steep to me but having used it now I think it would have been worth “full price”.

If your budget is very tight I’m sure there are ways to get similar/equivalent info as people are saying above. But it would take a lot of effort and so for me it seems to have been a worthwhile investment. I can’t compare how I would’ve got on otherwise though. There are a lot of women using it who say they’ve had a nightmare of a time feeding previous children though and that the Thompson method has made all the difference so maybe there’s something in it :)

It's hard for me to comment on pain as I didn't really experience any. I breastfed both my sons and it was the easiest thing and pain free. My breasts could get engorged sometimes but rarely and I would just hand experts a little to relieve the pressure but I wouldn't say that was pain. I think often people stop breastfeeding because of the emotional strain and the tiredness and the feeling that your body isn't yours any more. That can be really tough. My youngest son breastfed until he was nearly three and I definitely had times where I just didn't want to be touched my anyone and just wanted time to myself.
I think the best thing to do is be open minded. It could be really easy for you or really hard. You might decide to combi feed or bottle feed. You won't know until you are doing it. If you really want to breastfeed try. But don't be hard on yourself if it doesn't work for you. I think sometimes mums who can't breastfeed feel like they've failed but it is what it is. If you've done your best then there's nothing more you can do.

You are absolutely right to be cautious of anything you find online. I'm not sure how much involvement the women who have commented negatively on the Thompson Method have had with it, but I can guarantee, as someone who has gone and purchased the program, it has been worth every cent. I noticed one of the comments mentioned that Dr Robyn criticizes other methods and I do have to address this. She has spent 40+ years working with women and babies to figure out why women struggle to breastfeed, and what can be done to fix it. Never is there any judgement, but the woman does know her stuff! The aim of the Thompson Method is to allow mothers to thrive and have a positive experience breastfeeding, however that looks for them individually.
I understand there is already a lot of support out there but it's so easy to run into the wrong advice. Although it is online, I can assure you that all the support works in its favour. Dr Robyn practices a "hands-off approach" in assisting mothers, so the support you receive online is almost identical to what you would receive if she was sitting right next to you.
Nobody can tell you what to do and I respect that your decision is completely your own but going into the unknowns of motherhood, I found the Thompson Method gave me a lot of strength and confidence to know how to advocate for myself and my baby in the hospital system. My son was born with a tongue tie and couldn't latch. Nothing the nurses or the lactation consultants did was working (in fact I think a lot of it did more damage) and they sent me home with a bottle feeding plan. If it wasn't for the support and advice I received, I wouldn't be here today 100% breastfeeding my baby! 🥳
Again, your choice is your choice and I respect that, but I am so so grateful I found the Thompson Method ❤️

The best investment I could've dreamed of making for my baby boy #2. Well worth every penny! So happy.

Sounds like a waste of money personally. Contrary to what @CoffeeDay write, it's not inevitably that it hurts - it didn't for me, it was easy from the start, no support needed thankfully, I missed a lot of feedings from the start because we were trying to establish combination feeding from day zero, but I still couldn't get baby to accept bottle, and it was fine to get housework etc done either between feeds, or during if feeding on a sling.

A book, or a support group for those that need it sounds great, but this just sounds like a way to make money off and exploit people's anxieties over performing a perfectly natural bodily function.

This thread was shared in Dr Robyns Facebook Group yesterday. I felt the desire to respond and share my story because The Thompson Method literally changed my life. With my first baby I had a terrible time breastfeeding. I thought it would just happen naturally but boy was I wrong. He was refusing to latch, I had bleeding and cracked nipples, low weight gain. I sought the help of 3 different different lactation consultants, a private midwife and tongue tie clinic. I sought information online which just made me feel more overwhelmed and completely confused. I was at a loss and after 11 days I gave up, which absolutely broke my heart.

When I became pregnant with my 2nd I was determined to successfully breastfeed. I don’t know if it was Lady Luck or what but a woman on another breastfeeding page mentioned that The Thompson Method of breastfeeding saved her breastfeeding journey. I knew right then I had to find out more. I stalked the free Facebook group for weeks, maybe months and absorbed as much as I could before deciding to buy the program. And I have to say, I’m so glad I did! The program has literally hours upon hours of videos that you can work through to prepare for breastfeeding, and it arms you with the knowledge if complications do arise. I even had my husband watch them so we were on the same page! And it’s not just about breastfeeding there are tons of videos on preparing for birth, how to get your 3 Golden Hours, preparing a birth plan etc.

And in the breastfeeding club you can ask any question and Dr Robyn will take the time to personally answer it in the live Q&A’s that she does several times a week! I’ve learned so, so much. I also understood why I had so many challenges with my first baby. I am now 3 1/2 months exclusively breastfeeding and I am the happiest Mum in the World.

I couldn’t be more grateful to have stumbled across this method. I tell everyone about it. I have even gifted the program as baby shower gifts. There is never enough words to describe how grateful I actually I am, I am just bummed I didn’t find it before having my first.

I do love a good hagiography thread!

RL support, where the counsellor or peer supporter can see what you are doing is so much better than anything online

Hi OP

I came across this post when myself when I was searching the Thompson Method and I just remembered what I read so I felt urged to come back and reply....

I did buy the program. And I will never regret it.

Actually my biggest regret was resting this thread and being out off of buying it when I was pregnant because my experience would have been a lot better. My first 7 weeks were excruciating following the usual advice. And I actually used an IBCLC

So please please please stop scaring mums unless you know!!!

If breastfeeding has worked for your with the normal advice then that’s great but there’s gotta be a reason why breastfeeding rates are so low!!

I started with the free group and built trust after seeing how supportive the team is.

Dr Robyn saved our journey and I will spend my life telling people about her incredible work

It isn't always painful, IME it depends on the baby. For me, one baby didn't have a great latch and was always painful, not just the first few weeks, all the way past six months. The other had a great latch and was completely pain free from day one, it didn't hurt even once. Neither had enough milk from me so we mixed fed and it worked very well for us (disclaimer: it can reduce milk supply but it worked for us and enabled me to keep breastfeeding past the point where it would have been a lot easier to give up).

For those who doubt if The Thompson Method works, I found this….



www.thethompsonmethod.com/does-the-thompson-method-work



I’m one of those hundreds of success stories.

The method works and with breastfeeding rates so low around the world, I don’t think it’ll be too long before hospitals start adopting it.


I’ll be forever grateful for Dr Robyn and her teachings. I tell everyone because I don’t want anyone to go through what I did with my first baby.

Don't pay for help BF
Make sure you don't discharge yourself from hospital until you are confident you know how to get baby to latch
If you don't gel with your midwife ask for another one, I think the help in hospital is crucial

Zombie thread, guys. 🧟‍♀️

I cannot believe how off-putting and cult-y it is that the woman who runs this business has been posting and getting her followers to post on one MN thread that actually only had a couple of posts before they descended... Desperate times? I guess business isn't going so well!

No I would not pay for this. This information is all available for free from your local midwife, La Leche League, Baby Cafe, or other local breastfeeding support group. The information will be from qualified professionals with years of experience and the ability to give face to face, personalised advice. It is also a great way to meet local mums and expand your real life support network.

If you are pregnant, do an antenatal breastfeeding class locally. If you are a struggling new mum, ask your midwife or health visitor for details of local breastfeeding support groups.

They will be lovely, welcoming, and supportive. You will meet new friends. They will give you free, one to one, face to face advice based on watching you and your baby actually feed. You'll even get tea and a biscuit. You will also have the reassurance of knowing that these trained professionals will notice if something is seriously wrong and know that they will refer you on if you need more speciality help.

It makes me so mad that someone is trying to profit of struggling new mum's rather than directing them to the plentiful free support in the UK.

I purchased Doctor Thompson's program and it has been very helpful. Yes there are tons of free advice out there but it wasn't helping me. I even have a friend who is a lactation consultant and while she is good I still needed more help than she could give. Not sure why the hate on here towards the ones of us who have no probs paying for help and are getting help being successful in our breastfeeding journey. I highly recommend the program and have benefited from it. If you don't want to try it fine but don't hate on those of us who are using it and getting the help from it we need.

Save your money! I'd just spend a fiver buying a book then research online for free e.g Emily Norris breastfeeding advice videos on YouTube. I did this (as well as attend a class run by a breastfeeding counsellor by I doubt stuff like that is on unfortunately with Covid) and breastfed successfully for over 16 months. Good luck!

Also the National breastfeeding helpline was a godsend to me.

Do your own research on breastfeeding and save your money! Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be difficult. Best advice is skin to skin, feed often when newborns to keep up milk supply. It might feel difficult to start, but it gets easier. Breastfed all my kids and still currently breastfeeding my third at 10 months. Look at kellymom website. Tons of great advice there.

If I had some secret method that would help a lot more babies to be bf successfully I wouldn't just be releasing it to the few mothers who could pay. I managed 6 years of bfing 2 infants, rl support group was invaluable with the first one and with the second I got lots of support from posters like TikTok on here.

Reported particularly @RohZee22 with her huns and bubbas there are plenty of free support groups. I'm guessing by the amount of recent 'this is amazing' posts business is not good...

Lots of first time posters endorsing this 🤔

@penaltytaker - "reported" me? I don't understand. Why, I'm simply sharing my experience. That's what the question is. I believe in shared experience as a form of support. If someone decides to pay for information they trusted, what's the harm. It doesn't affect anyone else except the person who paid for it. Ive been given way to much misleading and bad adviceprior, that otook a gamble and it worked out. The method just worked for me. That's all. I don't trust tiktok or YouTube. I believe it takes a village, and the Dr Robyn program gave me access to a network of women who share their experience with a positive support through common experience. All I'm saying is it worked for me. What's the harm in that.... And as for my "huns" and "bubbas"... I don't understand why that is offensive. At least not enough to report me. I also mentioned the Possums Approach which talks about a similar approach as Dr Robyn so in not enforcing her method as such, I'm sure people can find free videos or there. But it's the constant fast response day of night from the admins in Dr Robyn's FB Club that has been invaluable to me. My experience only.