1/ Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, payment plans can be arranged to suit your circumstances. If there are other barriers to you accessing support get in touch.
2/ Why do your offerings include follow up contact?
This is part of my philosophy, I work by walking along side you as you navigate your feeding journey. I am passionate about continuity and want families that I work with to be clear on the time frame of my support within each offering.
For many parents, it is hard to retain information, things shift and change with your own understanding of what you and your baby need.
The follow up time is outlined, I do ask that you let me know if you find it hard to reach out and to let me know of any communication support needs you would benefit from. You have access to voice note, text, images and videos to securely keep me updated should you wish during the follow up period.
3/ How do I book?
Once you have picked an offering on the work with me page contact me using the email button next to this or on the contact page . If you require a home contact please include your postcode.
I will send you an an invite to schedule a session with me, alongside consent and intake forms. I use Practice Better an online secure space for us to share resources, session notes and for secure messaging you can access this via an app or a browser.
4/ I am looking for an IBCLC that shares my cultural heritage. Can you help?
I recognise my privilege as a white woman working in the birth and breastfeeding world. There are many barriers to becoming an IBCLC in the UK particularly when you are from a global majority group. The MBRRACE report has shown that although the overall mortality rate is low in the UK, black women are 4x more likely to die in the perinatal period than white women and Asian women are 2x more so. This is not an issue with the black or brown body it is due to systemic racism.
I strive to ensure that you are culturally safe in my care. However being supported by someone who shares your lived experience is a right.
Covid has shown that remote support works well. Accessing support from across the globe is an option here as well as the practitioners across the UK who can be found at https://lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/
You can join the Virtual Breastfeeding cafe via https://breakingbreastfeedingbarriers.org.uk/events/
If you require antenatal education or postnatal support Abuela Directory has doulas across the UK who offer remote and face to face support https://abueladoulas.co.uk/your-abuela-doula-directory/
If you are in a position to support Abuela Doulas mission to 'colour the landscape of birth' then donate at https://abueladoulas.co.uk/mars/bla-black-lives-abuela-scholarship-fund/
5/ can you share what free support is available?
National Helplines
National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm, daily)
La Leche League 0345 120 2918 (This is open from 8am to 11pm, 365 days a year).
local support
Manchester NHS Infant feeding team 0161 720 5982
Stockport NHS infant feeding helpline 07767 870506
Trafford Jackie Hall – NHS Trafford Infant Feeding Coordinator on 0789 448 9937
Online Courses
Antenatal course by The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
https://courses.abm.support/courses/team-baby-getting-ready-to-breastfeed/
Free antenatal workshops including courses from an Islamic perspective
https://www.bepp.org.uk/bap-project
6/ what are your covid 19 precautions?
Face to Face
I am providing face to face contacts in line with government guidelines. This includes having PPE and screening questions on household wellness. I will bring my own refuse bag and any waste items including PPE will be bagged on leaving your home and placed in your waste with your consent. This is to protect you and any other families homes I visit. I will bring hand sanitiser and ask that you have a place for washing my hands with soap and water. Get in touch with your postcode and I will check if I can visit you at your home.
Remote contacts
Video consults work well but do have limitations, to mitigate these I will request photos or videos of your baby feeding along with an intake form before our session. There are creative ways to guide you when it comes to comfortable latch and positions.