Many families only need one face-to-face consultation after birth to work through early feeding challenges and make a plan moving forward.

I take the time to thoroughly assess what’s going on, answer your questions and provide practical support during our time together. My goal is for you to leave feeling more confident and supported in feeding your baby.

Home consultations include 2 weeks of follow-up support via phone or email, as I’ve found many families benefit from having someone available for questions, reassurance or small adjustments to the plan along the way.

Sometimes more complex situations require ongoing support or repeat consultations. If I feel additional sessions are needed, I will always discuss this with you first and find the best way to keep support high but cost managable.

Our consultations (either in clinic or at home) will include:

• Privacy, respect and confidentiality. I take your privacy very seriously and really value the information you share with me.

• Asking about your health history including pre-exsisting conditions, medications, pregnancy, birth and initial feeding (if relelvant)

• Discussion of your concerns and goals for baby feeding, discussion regarding your recovery and mental health if appropriate.

• Washing my hands, wearing gloves, explaining what I’m doing and never touching you or your baby without your permission.

• Physical observations of your health and your baby’s health.

• Observing you feeding your baby (breast or bottle) and troubleshooting issues with you.

• Assessment of your baby’s oral function and growth measurements if appropriate/needed.

• Offering verbal prompts to help you optimise your baby’s feeding and settling (I maintain a hands-off approach unless specifically requested as I believe the best way for you and your baby to learn is for you to do it yourselves!)

• I don’t tell you what to do. Instead I will tell you WHY I might recommend certain strategies so then you can make your own informed decisions.

• Develop a clear and sustainable management plan with you that is in line with your goals as a family (and write it all down for you afterwards !)

• Answer any questions you or your partner/support person may have during our consultation.

• Timely follow up available via email /phone (and extended follow-up can be arranged if you need ongoing access to specialist advice)

• Referral to other services or support programs as appropriate

• Your baby! (please) :)

• Any questions you may have (I love a list so if you have one, bring it!)

• For postnatal consultations: I know its difficult to predict when your baby might be hungry but if you can avoid giving them a big feed in the 90mins prior to our consultation - this would be great! If they are distressed then please dont wait to feed them though!

• Your baby's Health Record (Blue Book)

• Anything you’re currently using to help you feed (breast pump, baby bottles, nipple shields, nipple creams, breastfeeding pillow, towels, snacks, water bottle, etc)

• If your baby is currently having any expressed breast milk or formula, bring enough for his/her usual feed

• Spare nappy and change of clothes for your baby (I have a change mat and baby scales)

• Anything else you feel you might need

• Please dont clean your house! I do not care what it looks like! You have a full time job with a baby and trying to get some sleep. The housework is irrelevant in comparison. I will happily sit with you wherever you usually feel comfortable feeding your baby.

• Please write down any questions you may have (the longer the list the more excited I get, which I know - sounds crazy haha). You can also send them to me afterwards if you forget!

• Timing the feed: I know its difficult to predict when your baby might be hungry but if you can avoid giving them a big feed in the 90mins prior to our consultation - this would be great! If they are distressed though - please dont wait to feed them! We’ll figure it out together.

• Please have your baby's Blue Book handy as I use this to check his/her history and growth as well as document in your records as needed.

• Any tools you’re currently using to help you feed (breast pump, baby bottles, nipple shields, nipple creams, breastfeeding pillow, towels, snacks, water bottle, etc)

• Anything else you feel you might need