Lactation Consultant

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding stimulates the health and development of the baby. Breast milk is designed for babies; it consists of precisely the right (amount of) nutrients, antibodies, growth hormones and live cells that a baby needs.

Normally, nature has ensured that a woman who has given birth can feed her child with breast milk. The baby has strong reflexes to suckle and thereby to stimulate milk production. Breastfeeding comes naturally to most mothers. The maternity nurse and midwife will support you in your first week.

Lactation Support

It might happen, though, that you have some trouble breastfeeding at first. Some additional information and help might help you on your way. A lactation consultant has specialist knowledge about breastfeeding.

IBCLC lactation consultants are internationally certified. They provide information and advice to mothers who need a little extra help with breastfeeding, and they support mothers when they have trouble breastfeeding.

You can consult our lactation consultant when:

• you need information or advice about breastfeeding, either during pregnancy or when the baby has already been born;
• your baby has trouble latching on;
• your baby refuses to suckle;
• you have irritated or sore nipples;
• you need help to start breastfeeding or using your breast pump;
• your baby has a yeast infection (thrush or Candida);
• you have persistent mastitis (infected breast);
• your milk production and/or the growth of the baby are insufficient;
• you have an illness or disability;
• your baby is born prematurely and has to stay in an incubator at first;
• you have not been breastfeeding for a while and you want to pick it up again (re-lactation).

Lactation Consults

To answer your questions (during the pregnancy or after the baby has been born) or to support you when you have a lactation problem, Rachel can visit you at home. A consult will last for about half an hour. She will answer your questions, when your baby has already been born she will assess how the breastfeeding is going, if necessary she will examine the baby and your breasts, and she will observe how the baby suckles. Afterwards, she will be able to tell you what it is that you need to do to improve the breastfeeding. After the consult, you can always call us for further (telephone) consultation.

To make an appointment for a lactation consult, you can contact Rachel Weggeman. Her phone number is 06 – 18977972. You can leave a message with your name and phone number. She will contact you within 24 hours.

Lactation Consults: Rates

Lactation consults are € 54, - for one hour. An initial home visit is € 65,-. An increasing number of insurance companies reimburse lactation consults. (For more information you can check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy, or you can consult the list of insurers who reimburse lactation consults at http://www.nvlborstvoeding.nl/ > particulieren > verzekering).

Information Sessions about Breastfeeding

Pregnant women (from six months gestation), women who have just given birth, and their partners are invited to come to our information sessions.

Sessions:

• 1: Breastfeeding; 'The white gold'
  - Breastfeeding: Why?
  - Pregnancy
  - Fathers
  - Positioning and latching on

• 2: Preventing breastfeeding problems and practical tips
  - Latching problems
  - Letdown
  - Too much or too little milk
  - Sore nipples
  - Thrush
  - Mastitis

• 3: Breastfeeding: to be continued
  - A mother's nutrition
  - Supply and demand
  - Breastfeeding and drugs
  - Back to work
  - Using a Pump

Dates

Depending on applications

Time

8 – 9.30 pm

Place

Mundo Midwives
Houtzagerssingel 65
2512 XH The Hague

Rates

€ 15, - per session, partners free

Contact

Information sessions are given by Rachel Weggeman, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).

Applications

Telephone number: 06-18977972
E-mail: lactatiekundigeweggeman@yahoo.com

Please leave your name, phone number and/or email address, and I will confirm your application.