Are you feeling overwhelmed by breastfeeding? Is everyone telling you something different? Having trouble latching your baby on? Are you in pain, have sore nipples or breasts? Do you feel like your baby wants to feed all the time or isn’t feeding enough? Are you topping up, pumping or using shields and want to figure out a simpler way to breastfeed? Worried about when to feed your baby? Are you worried about your milk supply? Been told your baby has a tongue tie, allergies or reflux? Have questions about breastfeeding, sleep and routines? You’re finding the adjustment to motherhood overwhelming? You’re expecting another baby and want to have a better breastfeeding experience this time round? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then I can help you. Listen to me talking about breastfeeding on LMFM for National Breastfeeding Week.
I’m Catherine McGowan International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, welcome to lactationconsultant.ie. As a mother to three children breastfeeding has been one of the greatest joys but also one of the greatest challenges of my life. Unlike breathing which just happens automatically, breastfeeding is like walking or talking, it needs to be learned. All families need support and help to get going. I believe women deserve to enjoy their breastfeeding experience. Together let's find the right path for you. I can work with and support you to meet your specific needs with compassionate, family-centered, quality personalised care.
“It takes someone very special to somehow make you feel empowered when you are at your most vulnerable” Sandra, Duleek.
Some of the areas I can help with:
Preparing to breastfeed your newborn
Comfort, sore breasts or nipples
Positioning and latching
Mastitis, plugged ducts
Milk supply - oversupply or undersupply
Topping up and not sure where to go from here
Using shields
Knowing when to feed your baby, are they getting enough
Fussy baby
Breastfeeding twins
Tongue tie
Reflux
Breastfeeding with implants or a reduction
Transitioning from bottle to breast
Relactation - restarting breastfeeding after a break
Pumping
Tandem feeding
Breastfeeding with a hip harness
Combination feeding/using formula
Managing separations, returning to work
Stopping breastfeeding
“Catherine is the reason I didn’t give up on my baby’s 2 week growth spurt. She helped me through and gave me tips and courage to keep going. I fed him for 4 months after her visit.” Donna, Drogheda.
What you can expect from an appointment.
I cover North County Dublin, East Meath and most of Co Louth for Home Visits, or log on from anywhere for Video Consultation. Both types of appointment last for an hour and a half. When you make a booking you will be sent an electronic Intake Form, this can be filled out on your phone. Having this information in advance helps make the best use of our time together. You can expect both types of consultation to include a thorough history of you and your baby with an observation and assessment of a breastfeeding session. Your comfort is a top priority. I will assist with latch and positioning to make breastfeeding more comfortable for both of you . We will explore any problems you are having and probable reasons for these difficulties. I will talk you through the normal course of breastfeeding and what you can expect. I will answer your breastfeeding questions and give you information about support in your area. Together we will figure out what successful breastfeeding means for you and from there write your Care Plan to fit your lifestyle, circumstances and preferences. I believe that understanding how breastfeeding works and how different choices impact on that puts you in the driving seat of your breastfeeding experience! After the appointment I will email your personalised Care Plan. This will document what we discussed at the appointment and also include links to evidence based information and videos to support you at home. After care also includes a follow up phone call to see how things are going. Plans can change and a flexible approach can support any adjustments needed.
“What can I say about Catherine that gives her enough justice in helping me breastfeed my baby. I cannot credit her enough for her valuable information and expertise in helping me as a first time mother. Due to the global pandemic of Covid 19, Catherine and I could only talk over video calls, emails and phone calls. But this never stopped Catherine in being professional and supportive. I felt comfortable with her from the get go and she was extremely encouraging in whatever decisions I was making. She tailored a care plan for me and then followed up with how I was getting on. Catherine went above and beyond in supporting me, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Catherine to anyone. ”
“Catherine was so patient and compassionate during the Video Consultation. The care plan and advice she gave us was fantastic. She has given me the confidence and reassurance to continue my breastfeeding journey and I have a very happy and well feeding baby after an extremely tough week. Any mum would be in the right hands with her as their lactation consultant.”
“After a really rocky start to breastfeeding and getting lots of conflicting advice, I contacted Catherine. Having her in my home a few weeks after having my baby felt comfortable and easy. She supported and encouraged me throughout the session and I came away feeling more hopeful and confident. As a first time mother who wanted to breastfeed but had issues with supply, the general response I received was “just give up”. I really felt that Catherine listened to my desire to breastfeed while ensuring that my baby’s needs were met. I never felt judged, I felt like she just understood what I was going through. I would highly recommended Catherine.”
“Catherine was such a key part of my successful breastfeeding journey. She was aware of my previous challenging experiences and I felt that she really knew how to support me. She provided so much insight and care but in a non invasive way and without information overload. I also felt that she was fully supportive of my breastfeeding goals regardless of whether they were exclusively feeding, combi or pumping. My plan felt like mine and she encouraged me to define success for myself. Overall a very empowering experience.”
“Catherine really helped to make me feel comfortable and at ease during our consultation. I struggled hugely with breastfeeding after a very difficult birth and had given up hope on being able to breastfeed before meeting Catherine. The advise and resources I was given was extremely helpful and helped to build my confidence up. I was able to successfully breastfeed afterwards and would recommend Catherine to anyone struggling and needing some guidance”