Private breastfeeding support

[Mabmal123]

Hi all, hoping someone here may have some advice and could point me in the right direction.
I’m due baby number three next year and am completely determined to breastfeed (or at least give it my absolute best) I had numerous problems first and second time around that ultimately ended with me having to stop, not to dwell but I feel if I had sought more support/advice I could have been successful.
Anyway I’m considering hiring someone for the first week or two to be around purely to support me with breastfeeding but I have no idea if this is a service that exists.
I have looked into a few options and am wondering if anyone else has used any of these and would recommend or think they would be right for what I’m looking for,
So far this is what I have found
-private postnatal midwifes - my concern would be that they would not be able to spend as much daily time with me or sitting through a few feedings and also that I don’t feel the need for any of the other services as I have complete faith in the nhs midwifes
Doula - again I really only feel I need the breastfeeding support my husband will be around and I am surrounded by family to help with all other aspects after the baby is born
Maternity nurse- really the same as above I only think I will need feeding support for say 4-6 hours daily not someone 24/7 to be helping with all other aspects

Thank you for reading this if you got this far (sorry for the lengthy post) would also just like to add I am absolutely not against formula feeding but breastfeeding is (maybe selfishly) something I really really want to do and hopefully be successful with so I’m just trying to put everything in place to know I did all I could

thanks again

Up here in Wigan a couple of friends of mine volunteer with breastfeeding together , mum to mum support perhaps if you contact them to see if they're in your area ? Hope you get sorted I breastfed all of my 5 sons and was supported by another mum
In the next bed with my first son , not the midwives so I know you do need that support just at the start x

My BF journey ended not very satisfactory BUT that was my fault lol
I saw a Lactation consultant you can find them easily and when I asked about one from a website she called and came within 3 hours.

I’d recommend doing that.

And before you have your baby. I didn’t read a thing, baby in NICU (term but Ill) and I’m my terrified state I didn’t quite understand I NEEDED to pump overnight for example - I was told several times

If I had researched that BEFORE I had a baby, I’d have been okay by the time he was born

So see one now, good luck x

Oh and look up little peach London on Instagram - so much brilliant information.

All of which I know now my milk supply has gone overnight

My baby is 8 months now so in the past, but deep regret over not researching it more

Some doulas may offer postnatal support only, and I woild imagine they would be able to offer the support you're after. Would be worth contacting some to see!

In my area you can get in touch with the local infant feeding coordinators (at the hospital) antenatally who can discuss your previous experiences and make a plan for this baby. That may be useful for you?

I managed to EBF both my DC, but I could not have to done without significant support during the first month with DC1. That support was provided by a post-partum doula and by the wonderful women of the La Leche League, a group of dedicated BF-ing mothers providing support and advice to new mums. As I'm not sure how much of a presence LLL has here in the UK (I was in the US), I would hire a post-partum doula, but do make sure you get one who has the necessary BFing experience that you will want.

I had private midwives alongside my NHS care and they were absolutely brilliant, including spending lots of time with me postnatally helping with breastfeeding (which I hadn't thought I would need because I had successfully breastfed my first child, but second time around there were different challenges!) Some private midwives offer postnatal only packages which might be better for you.

Might also be worth googling private lactation consultant, I know of at least one in my area for example - she's a retired midwife and offers private help with breastfeeding now. Didn't need her because I had my midwives, but sounds like it might be exactly what you need to have in place before baby comes.

Good luck, you're not being selfish at all. Have faith in your body and find someone to give you the support you need.

Thank you so much ladies for all your advice, given me a few options to explore and also made me not feel crazy for feeling like this may be something I need! Thank you!

I found breastfeeding support group locally a big help (in my area, they're on every weekday for a couple of hours) but think if you'd like to go the private and at-home route, as others have mentioned, a lactation consultant is probably what you need!