Your Breastfeeding Consultation

Whether you have booked your appointment with me or you are just here for a browse, here's all you need to know about what to expect at your appointment.

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Booking & Payment

Appointments are usually arranged via email (info@hatchmaternitycare.com) or DM (@hatch_maternitycare). We will arrange a date and time that suits you, and talk through any issues that you may be having.

Appointments are €180. This includes:

  • initial appointment (1-2hrs - this can vary!)
  • detailed plan of care
  • 2 weeks of virtual support (whatsapp / email / phone)
  • follow up appointment
  • All appts take place in my studio in Agora Suites, Mullingar. Home visits can be arranged with additional travel costs.

PayPal, Revolut & cash accepted, and payment is due at the first appointment unless otherwise arranged. Receipts are provided, and may be reimbursed by your health insurer. Policies vary, so please check this out prior to booking if you intend to claim.

I will send you on two forms to complete. (No printing required!) One is a consent form which is sent to all clients. I cannot proceed to provide care without this.  The other will be sent if it is our first time to meet - is a client intake form in order to gather any relevant information which may have a bearing on your breastfeeding experience. This form is completely optional - we can go through this at the start of the appointment instead. (I understand life with a newborn doesn't always lend itself to filling out forms!) However, having some background information means that I can come to your appointment having a care plan partially put in place before we even meet. It will save some time and allow us to spend more hands-on, productive time rather than box ticking during the appointment.

 

The day of our first appointment.

We will go through the intake form together if there is anything that needs more attention - this will take a bit longer if you didn't get a chance to fill it out previously. As this form covers information regarding both you and baby, by the end of this I will have most of the information I need to create a plan for you. 

How we proceed from here depends on your circumstances or underlying issues. I will likely weigh your baby, and observe a breastfeed. From here, we can make adjustments to feeding position and optimise your baby's latch. We may possibly try nipple shields if required. An assessment is carried out to diagnose or out-rule a tongue tie, with information and risks/benefits of frenectomy (TT revision) discussed.

If triple feeding / combi feeding / exclusively pumping , we may measure for correct flange size, create pumping schedule etc. Again, this all depends on what your particular issues are. No two appointments are the same!

 

Aftercare

Afterwards, I will send you a summary of what we discussed during our appointment and the plan going forward. Of course, things can change and I am on hand to help navigate any twists and turns over the next few weeks.

Over the next 2 weeks, we will arrange a second follow up appointment. This appointment is more often than not a much shorter visit. I would usually weigh baby again, observe a feed, and tackle any issues that may be still ongoing.

 

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It is important to remember that all lactation consultants work differently, and the way that appointments and care are organised vary from person to person. We all have different approaches to how we assist our clients.

I hope that this summary helps you make your decision about booking a feeding consultation. Whether you get in touch with me via info@hatchmaternitycare.com or you decide that I'm not the LC for you, I hope that your breastfeeding story continues as long as you want it to, and that you find all the help & support you need!

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