Lactation Consultant Service
The importance of breastfeeding cannot be understated - Lactation Consultants see it constantly. Breastfeeding supports and solidifies the bond between mother and child and provides the best nourishment for babies. Successful breastfeeding doesn't always happen naturally or go to plan, but there is help and it comes in the form of a Lactation Consultant.
Here at Growlife Medical, we believe that you should feel supported and free to take your time, as you and your baby learn how you fit together in this world. And we understand that many women have a strong desire to breastfeed but often have difficulties and concerns along their feeding journey.
Your specialist team want to help to make your breastfeeding journey more comfortable and easier, to give your child the best nutritional start to life possible. We support your own individual situation and breastfeeding goals and our aim is to help you feel more informed and empowered to grow in confidence and build your intuition as parents.
Lactation Consultant Breastfeeding Support
Lactation Consultants are professionals who provide breastfeeding support to mothers experiencing breastfeeding issues. They will address your feeding challenges including - but not limited to - low milk production, babies who are having trouble latching onto the nipple, sleepless babies, low weight gain or painful breastfeeding.
In these instances the services of a Lactation Consultant are invaluable. Sam Foster is an Endorsed Midwife and Lactation Consultant who provides comprehensive support and assistance in the comfort of your own home, at Growlife Fairfield, or via telehealth. Dr Sonja Morgan is a GP Lactation Consultant who can assist with breastfeeding, perinatal mental health and infant feeding, sleeping and settling concerns at our Highgate Hill practice.
Professionals like Sam and Sonja can offer a holistic and empowering approach to breastfeeding support, as well as help with other feeding, sleeping and settling issues.
Qualified Lactation Consultants
Qualified Lactation Consultants have the IBCLC credential, meaning an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
To be awarded this credential, the person must pass an all-day certifying exam. To qualify to take the exam, she must have a combination of formal education, breastfeeding education and a thousand hours of working one-on-one with breastfeeding mothers and babies. Once qualified, a Lactation Consultant needs to keep up to date with evidence based breastfeeding information and re-certify every five years with proof of continuing professional development and resit the exam every 10 years.
An IBCLC is governed by the IBCLC Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLC’s and other best practices. For more information see IBCLCs professional standards.
Lactation Consultant Sam Foster obtained her IBCLC certification in 2012. Dr Sonja Morgan is also a certified IBCLC. Both bring a wealth of experience to Growlife Medical's expert breastfeeding support team.
"The premier global credential in the lactation care profession"
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are recognised throughout the world as holding the premier global credential in the lactation care profession, as they are:
· Knowledgeable about up-to-date evidence-based practices in lactation as demonstrated through a rigorous exam process and re-certification at 5-year intervals.
· Focused on preventative care.
· Experienced in a wide variety of complex breastfeeding situations.
· Competent to assist mothers with establishing and maintaining breastfeeding, even in difficult and high-risk circumstances.
· Sensitive to the needs of both mothers and children as they work to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.
· Ethical in their practice, held accountable to Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics, and working within a defined Scope of Practice.
When Should I See A Lactation Consultant
If a mother is experiencing any breastfeeding challenges an IBCLC will assist by taking a full history and will observe and assist with a feed, offering suggestions and strategies to make feeding as comfortable and efficient as possible.
It is best to get early help as the sooner issues can be addressed the more likely it is to get it working well. An IBCLC can also give advice on settling, bottle feeding, sleep, wind and colic, as well as understanding your baby’s cues or communications.
Breastfeeding doesn’t work for everyone. A Lactation Consultant can explore reasons why it hasn’t worked. Discussion about breast feeding with a professional may help a mother come to terms with why it hasn’t worked for her and her baby. It can bring about some difficult thoughts and feelings.
Many new parents are surprised how challenging breastfeeding can be. It is a new skill that both mum and baby need to learn. It takes time and sometimes a little help is needed. A baby is hard-wired to breastfeed but still needs time to adjust and put these skills into practice.
Breastfeeding Problems
Discussion about breastfeeding techniques with a health professional may help a mother come to terms with why it hasn’t worked for her and her baby. It can bring about some difficult thoughts and feelings.
Many new parents are surprised how challenging breastfeeding can be. It is a new skill that both mum and baby need to learn. It takes time and sometimes a little help is needed. A baby is hard-wired to breastfeed but still needs time to adjust and put these skills into practice.
Your Growlife Medical health professionals listen to your breastfeeding concerns and use their broad experience and expert knowledge on breastfeeding techniques to address your breastfeeding problems. Lactation advice regularly results in increased milk supply, reduced soreness, improved baby settling, and better sleep outcomes. Call us about your breastfeeding problems today, or book a Lactation Consultant online anytime.
What Do Lactation Consultants Offer
Lactation Consultants offer a broad range of lactation services, which include everything from:
· antenatal consultations: antenatal expressing and preparation and planning for after the birth
· teaching a new mum how to hold and position her baby on the breast
· assess the suck, swallow, breathing and tongue function of an infant
· help with low milk supply
. decrease milk supply
· help manage nipple and breast pain, feeding difficulties and breast infections
· concerns with baby’s health or weight gain
· feeding strategies for premature babies, multiples, infants with medical conditions such as heart disorders, cleft lip/palate, low tone, failure to thrive
· lactation induction and relactation
· comprehensive suspected tongue tie assessments of mother and baby including full oral assessment
· tongue tie release procedure (frenotomy): scissor release of a restricted tongue tie (lingual frenulum)
Tongue Tie assessments and division at Growlife Medical
If you are concerned that your baby may have a tongue tie and you are having feeding (breast or bottle) difficulties, please reach out to an experienced Lactation Consultant (IBCLC’s) for their individualised assessment and support.
Lactation Consultants who choose to consult at Growlife Medical are experienced and highly skilled practitioners, each coming from different clinical backgrounds, to ensure our patients receive the most appropriate care that is always patient-focused, family-centred and evidence-based.
Dr Sonja Morgan (FRACGP/IBCLC)
- Simple scissor frenotomies for babies under 3 months of age with thin, anterior frenula following a full feeding assessment. This assessment may be done by Dr Morgan and Sam Foster
- Full breastfeeding, mixed feeding or bottle-feeding assessments and management of related medical complications including infant weight gain and unsettled infants. This assessment may be done by Dr Morgan or Sam Foster.
- Clinic and telehealth consultations at Highgate Hill.
Sam Foster (Endorsed Midwife/IBCLC)
- Scissor frenotomies for infants under 6 weeks of age with thin, non-vascular lingual frenula following a full feed and oral assessment.
- Full breastfeeding, mixed feeding or bottle-feeding assessments and management of all lactation and infant feeding concerns.
- In-clinic consultations at Fairfield and and home visiting service within 15kms of each of the Fairfield practice.
See the latest lactation team blog posts here.
Brisbane Lactation Consultants Appointments
Clinic visit - book a Brisbane lactation consultant at Fairfield
Home visit ** - within 15kms of Fairfield (Please
call reception to book)
Telehealth - great for rural support or increased convenience locally
Lactation Appointment Duration
Appointments - Clinic
Initial: 1.5 hours
Review: 1 hour
Appointments - Home visits
Initial: 1.5 hours
Review: 1 hour
* Please call reception to book Home Visits on 3154 2393 *
Appointments - Telehealth:
Initial: 1 hour
Review: 30 mins
Lactation Consultant Appointment Fees
$80 - 30 mins
$160 - 1 hour
$240 - 1.5 hours
**$35 travel fee for home visits
GP Lactation Consultant Appointments
Clinic visit
· At our Highgate Hill clinic
· Fees: $230/hr with a Medicare rebate of $113.50
Telehealth - great for rural support or increased convenience locally
· Fees: Same as Clinic visit - no Medicare rebate available for new patients.
Book a consultation with Grow Medical today.
Medicare rebates available if your bub is under 6 weeks old, and for all antenatal care
Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Articles
Support and Information
13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is a phone line that provides health information, referral and services to the Queensland public. For breastfeeding support and child health advice call 13HEALTH and ask for a child health nurse.
Child Health Service for early feeding support (drop-in clinics) and other services within the Greater Brisbane area www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/community-health/child-health-service/ If outside the Greater Brisbane area, check with your local health facility for local child health services available
Child Health Information Your guide to the first 12 months. A booklet inserted in the cover pocket of your baby’s Personal Health Record
Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline 1800 mum 2 mum 1800 686 268. Community based self-help group offers information, counselling, and support services, on breastfeeding issues. Website: www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline 1800 882 436 (free call) offers free, confidential, professional information and counselling for women, their partners and families relating to issues of conception, pregnancy, birthing and postnatal care. Website www.health.gov.au/pregnancyhelpline
Raising Children Network Information and links to video