Thrive with TLC

 An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC, is a specialist in infant feeding, breastfeeding and lactation.  The IBCLC must have a health sciences background, a minimum of 90 hours of lactation specific education and 1000 hours of practical breastfeeding support experience, prior to passing a 4 hour exam held by the IBLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners).  The IBCLC must apply to recertify every 5 years to maintain certification and engage in continued education. Further information about the IBCLC requirements can be found at https://iblce.org/ 

I offer face to face and video consultations to support you through a large range of breastfeeding/chest-feeding issues, including, but not limited to:

supply concerns

oral function assessment and tongue tie evaluation

shredded and painful nipples

fussy feeding babies

prior breast surgery

breast pain

blocked ducts or mastitis

IGT (insufficient glandular tissue) 

slow infant growth

positioning and latch

feeding multiples

feeding the medically complex child

maintaining feeding through maternal health issues or surgery

feeding aversion and D-MER

breast refusal

re-lactation

weaning

expressing

sleep and settling concerns

colic and reflux, suspected allergy

Thrive Lactation Consultants values you as an individual. No two breastfeeding/chest-feeding journeys are the same, so your care should not be of cookie cutter standard.  I strive to offer care which is inclusive, evidence based, current and up to date, and wholistic.  At all times you should expect to receive care and communication which has a focus on empathy and compassion.  I value your privacy and confidentiality.

Your goals are important to me.  I aim to help you feel empowered, confident and in control of your feeding journey.

I will remain respectful of the developmental needs of the infant/child and work with the strengths of the family.

I work within a quality improvement model.  I welcome your feedback so that I may continue to improve my service to you.

Above all, I want you to feel heard and respected.

I believe in a "prevention is better than cure" approach.  What better way to succeed in your breastfeeding goals than being empowered, educated and supported before your breastfeeding journey even begins! Antenatal consults are designed to offer you information about how to successfully establish breastfeeding, navigating the birth process and knowledge for informed decision making.  If this is not your first time breastfeeding and you have experienced prior challenges, I can assess your individual situation and help you create a care plan to avoid or minimise challenges in your future feeding journeys.  

I have the experience to support you through your entire breastfeeding /chestfeeding journey.  From newborn babies having their very first feed, to toddlers, pre-schoolers and school aged children considering weaning or navigating a new arrival to the family, I have supported families along all stages of the feeding journey.