Lactation Support

Helping you to meet your goals

How can I help?

Congratulations on the new addition to your family! I know that breastfeeding/chestfeeding can be a joyful experience, but it can also present its fair share of challenges. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) serving Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, I am here to provide the compassionate support you need to nurture your breastfeeding relationship.

My aim is to empower you with the knowledge, guidance, and confidence to navigate any obstacles you may encounter along the way. Whether you are a first-time parent or have previous experience, I am dedicated to helping you achieve your infant feeding goals. Everyone’s journey is unique, which is why services are flexible to meet your specific needs.

With online and in-home support options, I try to make access to lactation support as convenient and comfortable as possible for you.

A virtual consultation allows us to connect from the comfort of your own home, providing personalized guidance through video calls and online resources. You can book a virtual consultation directly here:

For those who prefer the comfort of face-to-face support, I also offer in-home consultations in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. Contact me for my current availability, and please give me the first part of your postcode so that I can factor in travel in my reply to you.

I take a holistic approach to lactation support. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is not just about milk transfer but also about the emotional connection between parent and baby. My approach ensures that we address both the physical and emotional aspects of infant feeding, supporting you every step of the way.

Mothers access breastfeeding support for various reasons, as each breastfeeding journey is unique. My training and experience supporting infant feeding is extensive and I can help with:

Latching
Positioning and Attachment
Recognising typical baby feeding behaviours
Milk supply concerns
Weight gain concerns
Painful feeding
Emotional support
Feeding a baby with tongue tie, or after a frenulotomy
Mixed feeding queries
Introducing bottles
Returning to work
Introducing Solids
Feeding twins or triplets
Expressing milk
Relactation and Induced Lactation
Ending breastfeeding

(If your query is not on this list, do still contact me. The list is not exhaustive!)

My services include:

Breastfeeding consultation

I will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your unique situation, including a brief medical/birth/feeding history, baby’s latch, and any challenges you may be facing.
Based on the assessment, we will agree a plan tailored to your specific needs, including strategies to overcome any difficulties you may be experiencing. This will be sent following our time together.
Ongoing support and follow-up: It’s rare that all concerns can be addressed within the confines of our time together, which is why I provide continued support and follow-up consultations to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to your plan. Text/WhatsApp support for any queries is included for the 3-4 weeks following our call/visit. You can also book extended support or a follow-up consultation at additional charge if required.

Antenatal education

It’s important to spend some time learning about and preparing for breastfeeding before your baby is born, as it’s a skill you’ll begin to practice straight after birth. You can book a private online workshop with me, or a two visit support package (one antenatal, one postnatal). Alternatively you can buy my online course. Any of these will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful breastfeeding journey right from the start.

Breastfeeding debriefs

Particularly in the UK, there are many mothers who did not receive the support and information necessary to meet their feeding goals. This can be a long-term source of sadness, and can create anxiety when expecting another baby, or for those who support other mothers of newborns. I can hold space to explore your feelings around any prior experiences, and in some cases, help you to understand why things turned out as they did. This can be a helpful part in healing past disappointments.

Group support

I volunteer at a drop in where you can connect with other mothers, share experiences, and ask questions of me or my breastfeeding counsellor colleague. Due to volunteer support and the generous donation of venue space by our hosts, The Little Gym, Rothamsted, this support group is free to attend. We meet roughly twice a month, with some occasion variation in scheduling due to school holidays and availability of volunteers and venue space. You can check current dates here or here.

Breastfeeding Support Helplines

For when you need to speak to someone outside of available appointments or drop ins, calling a helpline can be a good way to access information and ideas.

NCT 0300 330 0700; open 8am-midnight 365 days a year

Nat’l BF Line 0300 100 0212; open 9.30am-9.30pm 365 days a year

ABM 0300 330 5453; 9.30am-10.30pm 365 days a year

Individual Support

Debriefs

Community
drop ins

Clients say

I first met Tricia as part of our NCT antenatal course. We attended a breastfeeding session which she facilitated. It was really informative and we felt much more prepared for the journey ahead. In the early days I struggled with feeding my daughter and not drowning her with my milk! I got in touch with Tricia and she was extremely helpful (visiting us at home and speaking on the phone) giving me suggestions as to how to improve feeding with Ayla. It made a huge difference and I’m still enjoying breastfeeding my daughter who is now 10.5 months old. I feel very lucky to have had such a positive breastfeeding experience.

I first met Tricia in her capacity as breast feeding consultant at a NCT course when I was pregnant with my twins. When I was battling to feed my 10 day old little girl I remembered her and asked her for help. She came to my house on a Sunday evening and helped me enormously. Her calm, accepting and gentle support was exactly what I needed when I was feeling a little overwhelmed at caring for two tiny babies.

Tricia -- thank you so much for all of your help this year. F is thriving and enjoying solid food, and I have breastfed throughout! Without your support I don’t think this could have been possible, particularly with the pandemic limiting support from family and other professionals. In the early days when I was digesting so much information from so many sources you were a calm and sensible voice when I desperately needed it. So, thank you so much again - you were so generous with your time and experience.