The importance of breastfeeding cannot be understated. 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 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. Kate Maynard is a Registered Nurse, Endorsed Midwife and Lactation Consultant who provides comprehensive support at Growlife Fairfield or via telehealth and home visits. 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 Kate and Sonja can offer a holistic, empowering approach to breastfeeding support and support with other feeding, sleeping, and settling issues.

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 K ate Maynard obtained her IBCLC certification in 2016. Dr Sonja Morgan is also a certified IBCLC. Both bring a wealth of experience to Growlife Medical's expert breastfeeding support team.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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 consult at Growlife Medical are experienced, highly skilled practitioners from diverse clinical backgrounds, ensuring our patients receive the most appropriate, patient-focused, family-centred, evidence-based care.

See the latest lactation team blog posts here.

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