The Breast Help • Holistic Lactation + Sleep Support

The Breast Help • Holistic Lactation + Sleep Support Harriet is an IBCLC Lactation Consultant + Child Family Health Midwife who understands Birth, Babies, Breastfeeding & Biology.

11/01/2026

Comes pre-warmed. On demand. Zero prep. Would recommend..
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I’ll be away from the clinic over the Christmas and New Year period, but the support you need doesn’t pause for the holi...
22/12/2025

I’ll be away from the clinic over the Christmas and New Year period, but the support you need doesn’t pause for the holidays.

If feeding feels hard, overwhelming, or you just need calm, expert guidance, phone and virtual consultations will be available via thebreasthelp.com.au during this time.

For in-person breastfeeding support, I’m referring families to the lovely Kate at

Child and Family Health Breastfeeding drop in clinics are open on the Central Coast, they’re just not running on 25th, 26th and 31st December. And 1st January 2026.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association Hotline is available 24/7 - 1800 686 268

💫😘

You don’t have to wait.
You don’t have to push through alone.
Help is still here when you need it.

18/12/2025

TO SWADDLE OR NOT TO SWADDLE
•••
If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t swaddle my babies..

Swaddling is a settling technique/sleep tool aimed at mimicking the stable womb-like environment.

It is a parenting choice.
It’s not necessary, but some babies settle better swaddled, and others don’t!

🌯 Swaddling can potentially minimise the Moro reflex activity (startle reflex). Parent’s who notice their baby startling awake will often choose to swaddle to assist with sleep.
🌯 Swaddled babies might not express clear feeding cues as easily as an unswaddled baby.
🌯 Depending on a few other sleep factors (i.e. environment), a swaddled baby might be unknowingly encouraged to nap beyond their genuine needs which may impact on night sleep.
🌯 If choosing to swaddle ensure your baby’s hips have plenty of room and they have are able to kick and move their legs.
🌯 Transitioning to sleep unswaddled after being tightly wrapped for months can be a big hurdle. Change is ok, and eventually they’ll sleep unswaddled but it can feel hard when you’re the parent doing it!
🌯 Choosing not to swaddle your baby does multiple have benefits - along with not having to eventually wean them from having their arms in for sleep!
🌯 Babies unswaddled will likely express their reflexes more - in turn having the ability to easily express clear cues for feeding (of course this can aid sleep)
🌯 Reflex expression helps integrate those primitive reflexes into purposeful and organised actions quicker.
🌯 They may not necessarily wake themselves with this expression but sleep only to their genuine needs leading to a consolidation of sleep aligned closer to the circadian clock (day vs. night).
🌯 If bedsharing with your baby it’s advised not to swaddle them. Loose fabric in the bed with a traditional swaddle is a potential hazard, and babies are safer with their arms out completely and able to move more freely from birth.

Either way, there’s no right or wrong here.
My top advice is to experiment early with both ways, and your parenting instincts will guide you with what feels best for you and your baby.

What do you think? Yay or nay to swaddling?
📹 Cute baby + video = .to.grow

HSV + BREASTFEEDING •••I’ve popped out of holiday mode briefly to share this, after a question came through about cold s...
18/12/2025

HSV + BREASTFEEDING
•••
I’ve popped out of holiday mode briefly to share this, after a question came through about cold sores, herpes (HSV) and breastfeeding.

The short answer: breastfeeding is usually safe with the right precautions. HSV isn’t passed through breast milk, but direct contact with active sores matters.

Swipe through for evidence-based guidance, and if you’re unsure about your own situation, please reach out to your midwife, GP or IBCLC for personalised support.

References included in the full blog 🤍

Get in quick people! 🏃‍♀️ co co
25/11/2025

Get in quick people! 🏃‍♀️
co
co

Yesterday we said goodbye to our sweet Mae.Mae “Be Mine” [her offical name]Our little sausage who forever looked like a ...
22/11/2025

Yesterday we said goodbye to our sweet Mae.

Mae “Be Mine” [her offical name]

Our little sausage who forever looked like a puppy.
My little side-kick throughout motherhood so far..
My doggy midwife.
Made our home feel like a home.

Feather lover.
Rock digger.

A solid little piece to our puzzle who is going to be so missed everyday.

🪶

BACK IN STOCK•••The Qiara Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Probiotic has just landed again at The Breast Help!Formulated with t...
21/10/2025

BACK IN STOCK
•••
The Qiara Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Probiotic has just landed again at The Breast Help!

Formulated with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 [originally isolated from healthy breastmilk]
Qiara is designed to support your gut, immune and breast health throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Perfect for:
🤍 Mums who’ve had antibiotics or a caesarean birth
🤍 Supporting healthy breastmilk flora
🤍 Reducing the risk of mastitis or ni**le pain

One sachet daily, easy to mix into water, juice or yoghurt.

Now available online and in clinic — but it never stays in stock for long!

ANTENATAL EXPRESSING KIT•••Preparing for Breastfeeding? Start with Hand Expressing!Hand expressing colostrum in late pre...
20/10/2025

ANTENATAL EXPRESSING KIT
•••
Preparing for Breastfeeding?
Start with Hand Expressing!

Hand expressing colostrum in late pregnancy can be a beautiful way to connect with your body and prepare for feeding your baby.

My Antenatal Expressing Kit includes everything you need to get started - oral syringes in different sizes, a reusable mesh pouch, and a mini hand expressing guide written by a Midwife + IBCLC. I’ve made these as affordable as possible to make your start easy!

Perfect to pack in your hospital bag or keep in the fridge ready for baby’s first feeds.

🩷 Available now at The Breast Help
🩷 $12.95

BREAST SCREENING WHILE LACTATING•••Protecting your breast health during lactation is essential. And early detection save...
18/10/2025

BREAST SCREENING WHILE LACTATING
•••
Protecting your breast health during lactation is essential.
And early detection saves lives.

If you’re breastfeeding, lactating, chestfeeding, weaning - knowing YOUR NORMAL and recognising changes is key for this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Regular self-checks, prompt imaging when needed, and seeking medical advice for new lumps or symptoms make all the difference.

Ultrasound, mammograms and biopsies are safe during lactation, and most screenings don’t require you to stop feeding.

Share this guide, tag a friend, and remember: advocating for yourself is so important.

✨ Pumping made easier ✨The Spectra S1 Hospital Grade Breast Pump is now available at The Breast Help on the Central Coas...
14/09/2025

✨ Pumping made easier ✨

The Spectra S1 Hospital Grade Breast Pump is now available at The Breast Help on the Central Coast – at recommended retail price.

✔️ Includes a free fl**ge fitting so your pump is set up perfectly for comfort and efficiency from day one.
✔️ Looking for something smaller? The Spectra 9+ Portable Pump is also available – a more affordable option for those not needing hospital grade settings.

Delivery available - fl**ge fitting can be done virtually too!

Available now at The Breast Help + The Village Collective in Ettalong – DM to order or learn more.

DROWSY BUT AWAKE BS•••When I help families with their child’s sleep, a good portion of our conversation is about re-lear...
01/09/2025

DROWSY BUT AWAKE BS
•••
When I help families with their child’s sleep, a good portion of our conversation is about re-learning what’s useful and put sleep training BS in the bin..

For years, parents have been told to put their babies down “drowsy but awake” - but with more research into infant sleep, we now know this advice is outdated and unrealistic for most families.

From an evolutionary perspective, human infants are designed to sleep in close proximity to caregivers. Contact, movement, and feeding aren’t “bad habits”… they’re biologically normal sleep associations that have kept babies safe for thousands of years.

Sleep science has moved on. We now understand that infant sleep develops gradually, shaped by the nervous system, environment, and parental responsiveness. Studies show that babies who are supported to fall asleep with help are not only normal, but may experience benefits in emotional regulation and attachment.

The “drowsy but awake” rule came from older sleep training teachings that focused on behavioural modification, expecting babies to self-settle on command. In reality, many infants simply aren’t developmentally ready for that. Pressuring them to comply can create stress for both baby and parent, rather than better sleep.

Instead of outdated rules and behavioural tricks, what helps most is:

✔️ Responding to your baby’s cues
✔️ Supporting them to sleep in ways that feel manageable for your family
✔️ Understanding that frequent waking and needing help to settle are normal in infancy

Your baby isn’t broken… the advice is.

Have you tried “drowsy but awake” with your baby? What has your experience been like?

Address

Shop 70-72, 189 Ocean View Road
Ettalong Beach, NSW
2257

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3pm
Friday 9:30am - 3pm

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