Anyone Hired Their Own Lactation Consultant For Hospital & Home Visits?

Hi,

We are expecting baby #3 and even though I had a terrible time trying to breastfeed the first two, I would like to try again.

I only lasted 10 to 14 days before giving up, after excrutiating nippple pain, bleeding, cracking and then mastitis. Honestly, I am no sook, but I was at the stage last time (due to the intense pain) of wanting to throw any nearby object (excluding the baby!) at the nearest wall and I am quite a placid person...

Anyway... I was thinking it might help if I had a support person (lactation consultant) to come to the hospital and home.

Has anyone done this?

I had DS in a private hospital and the lactation consultant was awesome, i cannot thank her enough for her support when it was difficult (bleeding nipples, attachment issues, midwives who kept trying to force formula on me)
If the hospital don't provide one I definitely think it would be a great idea.

We attended calm birth classes in the lead up to the birth of DS and the calm birth practitioner was a trained lactation consultant.

She came to our house twice after the birth and helped me with attachment, general questions (DS is our first bub so I had LOTS of questions) and settling techniques...she was fantastic and I can't speak highly enough of her. She was also available for phone support at virtually any time...I spent half an hour on the phone to her at 10.30pm one night.

Her support was invaluable to me and I truly don't know if we would have had such a positive breastfeeding experience if it wasn't for her.

If you are in Sydney and are interested in her details I would be happy to pass them on.

Mrs Jak, I think it's great that you are preparing for this already. That will really help you to succeed. Many people do hire Lactation Consultants, some before birth and others only if they have a problem. With your past experience, seeing one before the birth could be helpful so that the LC can talk about what went wrong last time and give you some ideas before the attachment damages your nipples.

Another option is to join the ABA and go to a Breastfeeding Education Class. Even as a 3rd time mum you will probably learn some new things. For example, if you haven't tried Baby Led Attachment before, they will show this technique which helps many mums who have attachment problems using the traditional mother led positions. Also, you will meet some local counsellors who can support you when you need it, and will probably also know some good local LCs so that you know who to contact.

All the best with it hun. I hope it's third time lucky for you.

I think it's a great idea. To answer your question - I haven't hired an LC but my private midwife was an LC & she was fantastic to have on call after the birth.

I've hired one and have scheduled my first appt for 3 weeks time. (before the baby is due).

Like you, I had terrible trouble trying to bf my ds. I have large (very!) breasts, flat nipples that quickly ended up cracked and bleeding. Ds was born with a bad tongue tie (was snipped in hossy but even now he still has a slight 'fork' in his tongue) and we just never got bf sorted. I don't know if him being born 2mts before Chrissy also didn't help, I just no time to myself to try and get it all established.

At the time with ds, I had multiple teary phonecalls with the ABA, appts with 2 diff lactation consultants and many visits to my MCN. All without luck.

This time.... I have found a really nice lady who comes on recommendation, I have an appt with her before the birth, she's willing to come to hossy if I need her to and has already been e-mailing me with different pieces of advice.

Good on you for looking into it now. Yes, there are lots of women out there who can't breastfeed for one reason or another, but I'm already feeling a lot more confident this time knowing I have people who will support me. I realise that it still may not work, but at least I'll know I've given it my best shot.

Sharon, would you mind PM'ing me your LC name? I'm in Perth too, TIA.