JC Lactation Consultancy

13/10/2025

Are you a new mum struggling with latching baby to the breast?
I expect you have watched many videos, spoken to friends and read things on line about the various positions.
Have you tried them?
How did you get on?
These positions are only guides and you and baby work together to find what’s comfortable for you both.
Breast feeding should pain free and baby should be settled and not fidgeting when feeding.
If you find you are struggling I would love to help you either over the phone or in the comfort of your own home.
All home visits and phone calls are followed up with texts and a further text or phone follow up a week after the initial contact.
If you feel you would benefit from some support please check out my website for further information on avaliable packages and pricing and contact me via my website

I am a Lactation Consultant in Kent offering breastfeeding support, baby massages, and in-home consultations. Call 07359 758716 today!

06/10/2025

Just a little reminder that if you are experiencing any feeding difficulties as a new parent I am here to help.
Also if you would like to be more informed regarding feeding choices antenatally I can help so that you are well informed for when your little one arrives.
I am happy to do video or telephone discussions or can visit you at home.
Check out my website for more information-
www.jclactationconsultancy.co.uk

29/09/2025

This week my focus is on feeding positions.
While there are many options for positioning baby at the breast the most important thing is to ensure your comfort and baby’s comfort at all times. Effective positioning at the breast will ensure effective latch techniques and reduce any pain or discomfort for mum.
Remember one position is not a fix for feeding issues and you may need to adapt the position for yours and baby’s comfort.
Here is an over view of the positions-

Common breastfeeding positions include the laid-back position, cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football (or rugby) hold, and side-lying position, each offering a way to position the baby close and inline for effective attachment. Key to all positions is ensuring the baby is close, their head and body are aligned with straight ears, shoulders, and hips, and their chin makes contact with the breast first, encouraging a wide mouth and deep latch.
Laid-Back Position
How-to: The mother sits or leans back in a semi-upright position, using pillows for support. The baby is placed on the mother's tummy with their chest facing the mother's.
Benefits: This position is often comfortable for mothers and is often tried soon after birth.
Cradle Hold
How-to: The baby is held in the crook of the mother's arm with their bottom tucked in. The baby's body rests along the arm, and the mother supports their head and neck with her hand.
Benefits: This position gives the mother control over the baby's head and is a common starting point.
Cross-Cradle Hold
How-to: Similar to the cradle hold, but the mother uses the arm opposite the breast she is feeding from. The baby's bottom is in the crook of that arm, and the hand supports their head.
Benefits: This offers even more control for newborns who may have trouble nursing.
Football (or Rugby) Hold
How-to: The baby is tucked under the mother's arm, like holding a football, with their back along her arm. The baby faces the mother and is held at waist level.
Benefits: This is often a good option after a C-section, as it keeps the baby's weight off the mother's abdomen.
Side-Lying Position
How-to: Both mother and baby lie on their sides facing each other. Pillows can be used behind the mother's back for support.
Benefits: Ideal for night feeds and also a good option after a C-section, reducing pressure on the abdominal area.
General Positioning Tips
Bring the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby.
Align Baby's Body: Ensure the baby's head, neck, and body are in a straight line, avoiding head twisting.
Deep Latch: Encourage the baby to open their mouth wide and bring them close so their chin touches the breast first.
Comfort: Use pillows to ensure you are comfortable, feeding pillows and pillows can be used to lie baby on to facilitate a higher position when feeding and enable them to feel well-supported.

If you require support with feeding please reach out to me:
Info@jclactationconsultancy.co.uk

22/09/2025

Good morning
This week I thought I’d share some information on colostrum and its benefits.

Colostrum is the first form of breastmilk that is released by the mammary glands after giving birth. It's nutrient-dense and high in antibodies and antioxidants to build a newborn baby's immune system. It changes to breast milk within two to four days after your baby is born. Colostrum is thicker and more yellow than traditional breast milk. Often referred to as liquid gold!

Colostrum is high in protein and low in fat and sugar. It's filled with white blood cells that produce antibodies. These antibodies strengthen your baby's immune system, protecting him or her from infection. Colostrum is highly concentrated and nutrient-dense even in tiny doses, so your baby's tummy doesn't need a lot to reap its benefits.

When the colostrum is transitioning to milk small amounts of colostrum will remain in your breast milk for several weeks.

Some of the benefits of colostrum are:
* Helps strengthen your baby's immune system.
* Helps to establish a healthy gut by coating the intestines. This helps keep harmful bacteria from being absorbed.
* Offers ideal nutrition for a newborn.
* Has a laxative effect that helps your baby clear meconium (your baby's first p**p) and lessens the chance of jaundice.
* Easy to digest.
* Helps prevent low blood sugar in full-term babies.

The flow of colostrum from your ni***es is slow so your baby can learn to breastfeed (nurse). Learning how to breastfeed takes practice and requires your newborn to not only learn to suck and swallow but breathe at the same time.

Colostrum leaking from your breasts doesn't mean labor is coming. Leaking colostrum is normal and some people notice it as early as the second trimester. Some don't notice any signs of leaking colostrum while others will see dried colostrum on their ni***es.

It's difficult to pump colostrum with a breast pump because of its thick consistency. Most people recommend and prefer using their hands to express colostrum. Hand expressing colostrum usually produces more colostrum than a pump.

Colostrum can be expressed by about week 37 in pregnancy and is beneficial for some people. Using your hands to compress your breasts in a rhythmic pattern so that milk comes out is called hand expressing. Expressing colostrum before your baby is born carries some risks like contractions or premature labor. It can be beneficial to those who may be at risk for premature birth, low milk supply or when certain health conditions present.
Speak with your midwife or Lactation Consultant before you remove colostrum from your breasts. If you are leaking colostrum, it can be collected and store for when your baby is born.
If you are pregnant and would like infant feeding advise or your baby has arrived and you are experiencing difficulties please reach out for support
Info@jclactationconstancy.co.uk

15/09/2025

Yay….. after carrying your baby and waiting on their safe arrival they are finally here!
Now you are really going to get to know each other, those little sounds they make is their way of communicating their needs and it’s going to take a few weeks for you both to settle down.
Baby to living outside of the uterus, and you to your new role as parent.
It’s not uncommon to feel like you are flailing around a bit, your not, your doing great, just take one step at a time!
Skin to skin helps baby’s to regulate their breathing, heart rate and keep them warm. These cuddles make a difference to feeding as well as it helps ramp up your hormones and get the breasts ready to do what they need to.
Skin to skin isn’t just for straight after birth but important over the next days and weeks as it also helps make baby feel safe, secure and helps with bonding and attachment.
Over the coming weeks I aim to post information to support with hand expressing, pumping, positioning and attachment and general feeding cues and tips.
If you feel you need information and or support with breast feeding or any other infant feeding concern please read through my website, reach out via email as I am here to help and ensure you and your baby have a positive parenting experience.
info@jclactationconsultancy.co.uk

I am a Lactation Consultant in Kent offering breastfeeding support, baby massages, and in-home consultations. Call 07359 758716 today!

08/09/2025

We often hear the phrase- “your baby has an ineffective latch”, however as long as your baby is settled at the breast and you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort then your baby’s latch is fine.
The holds that are spoken about are guides to support you with your feeding journey, they are not set in stone.
If you would like support with positioning and attachment or are worried about how your baby is feeding them please reach out for support.
I can be contacted by sending a message via my website. I can then discuss your concerns and support you in your own home to ensure your feeding journey is stress free and pleasurable for you both
www.jclactationconsultancy.co.uk
Info@jclctationconsultancy.co.uk

25/08/2025

Good morning on this lovely Bank Holiday Monday morning.
I am a lactation Consultant with extensive, adult, children and neonatal nursing experience. I am also a Health Visitor.
I am here to help with all of your breast feeding/infant feeding queries, concerns or problems. I can support you with information in the antenatal period and also once baby arrives.
Please check out my website for all packages available and reach out.
I look forward to hearing from you!
www.jclactationconsultancy.co.uk
Info@jclactationconsuktancy.co.uk

I am a Lactation Consultant in Kent offering breastfeeding support, baby massages, and in-home consultations. Call 07359 758716 today!

04/08/2025

NATIONAL BREAST FEEDING WEEK
National Breastfeeding Week, also known as World Breast Feeding Week be celebrated from August 1st to August 7th, 2025. This global campaign aims to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding for the health of mothers and babies.

The 2025 theme focuses on the environment and climate change, emphasizing breastfeeding as a natural, renewable, and environmentally friendly food source, and advocating for a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
During the week the focus will be on promoting breastfeeding as a vital part of child survival and healthy development.
Raising the awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.
It aims to highlight the importance of creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding in various settings and reduce the impact of artificial infant feeding on the environment.
So if you are a new mum to be and would like more information relating to all aspects of infant feeding, or a new mum experiencing difficulties with infant feeding, I am here to help.
Please contact me via messenger or visit my website- www.jclactationconsultancy.co.uk for information on packages available and pricing.

I am a Lactation Consultant in Kent offering breastfeeding support, baby massages, and in-home consultations. Call 07359 758716 today!

01/07/2025

Planning a holiday or struggling with the heat- here are some useful reminders to keep safe…

30/05/2025

I haven’t posted for a while, with one thing and another time flies by, also I’ve been reading some very negative responses on a colleagues social media pages in relation to breast feeding and material she is sharing.

I find it really surprising that breast feeding is still getting such negative responses and some very ignorant reply’s, some liking it to p**n! Most saying disgusting and why do we have to have this rammed down our throats!!

Infant feeding is one of personal choice and as lactation Consultant’s we are here to support parents in that journey. Our goal is to enable parents to have informed choices, feel supported in what ever that choice is and to enjoy the closeness with baby.
Breast feeding is not about exposing a breast, it’s about the long term health effects for both mother and baby, helping to improve maternal mental health and enabling a secure attachment between mother and baby…
Bottle feeding’s baby can also help improve maternal mental health as you still have that closeness with baby.

If you are pregnant and would like to know more about infant feeding, or a new mum and you are experiencing difficulty with feeding then get in touch and I’d be happy to help.

Consultations are either by phone, video call or face to face in your own home where you can feel relaxed and comfortable.

Remember infant feeding is your choice…

14/04/2025

Good morning
The sun is shining and what a difference it makes to how we feel!😎
Just a little reminder that if you would like to know more about infant feeding, are having infant feeding struggles and would like support then I can help.
Please check out the packages I offer on my website-
www.jclactationconsultancy.co.uk