Before your consultation

Please call me a ring on 07720 425897 to talk about your situation. If you would prefer, schedule our free chat through my bookings page here, email me on cathysage@gmail.com or send me a message (click here). I am generally available from 9am-9pm every day, including weekends. Some issues can be resolved over the phone, and I do not charge a fee for this. If you decide that you would like a home visit, or to come to me, then we can agree a time when your baby is likely to be hungry.  I aim to meet you on the day that you call or very soon afterwards.

What sort of problems can you help with?

 

I often work with mothers with questions or concerns about:

  • Problems with latching baby onto the breast – baby will not latch, it takes a long time or baby keeps coming off
  • Sore or cracked nipples
  • Flat or inverted nipples
  • Using nipple shields
  • Engorgement
  • Blocked milk ducts or mastitis
  • Low or high milk supply
  • How to express breastmilk
  • A very sleepy baby
  • Baby cries or fusses at the breast
  • Colic or reflux symptoms
  • Nursing strikes
  • Nipple thrush
  • Getting baby used to a bottle
  • Bottle refusal 
  • Weaning baby off breastmilk
  • Feeding while returning to work

What to expect at your consultation

A consultation starts with a chat about how things are going for you and your baby (or babies). It helps me to understand how the birth went, and I will need to ask for some relevant medical history.

If we are talking about breastfeeding, I will work with you to find an effective way to feed according to your unique breast and nipple shape. If we are in your home, I can help you to find comfortable positions for you and your baby on your own sofa, chair or bed. Once baby is sucking and you are comfortable, I can show you how to check for swallowing and signs that your baby is getting enough breastmilk. We will have plenty of time to chat and answer your feeding questions.  I do not need to touch you or your baby if you would prefer that, and I will never touch either of you without your consent.  

If breastfeeding is not going so well, or is not your preferred option, we can work together on using nipple shields, expressing, bottles, teats and formula. Sometimes these can be necessary to get you both over a temporary glitch, or they can form part of your ongoing baby feeding solution. 

I am fully trained in bottle feeding and can help you to do this comfortably and safely.  Many of my consultations are around bottle feeding, including how to achieve responsive or paced feeding, determine appropriate milk volumes, select a suitable bottle, teat and flow rate for your baby’s unique situation, and help reluctant bottle feeders to take milk this way.

After our visit I will send you a Care Plan detailing what we discussed.

How long are consultations?

Home visits typically take from 60-90 minutes, and you can call afterwards for follow up support. I do not charge for subsequent phone calls or messages over the following two weeks.  I offer several care packages, take a look and book with me here.

Do I need more than one consultation?

I am very flexible in meeting your needs.  My top care package includes two consultations. In the first we assess what is happening for your and your little one, make things better and plan for the days ahead.  In the second we address your follow up questions and refine the care plan if we need to.

Of course you are welcome to book one session and then decide about follow up.  I always encourage clients to get in touch after the visit to address any further questions or concerns, and to get their feedback on how it has helped.

Can I come to your home?

If you would like to get out of the house, we can arrange for you to come to my home. It is warm and cosy, with free parking outside the door. I am based in Putney, London, just off the A3 and West Hill.

Can I contact you via Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom or Facetime?

Yes, I have worked with many women and their babies this way, just pick the platform that is good for you.

How well do video consultations work?

I have been working this way for years.  Video consultations are wonderful because they can be spontaneous, almost immediate, at home or in hospital at a time to suit you. If you want me to look at your baby feed it really helps if another adult is present to hold the phone, leaving you with both hands free for your little one. Of course, not everyone wants to show a stranger their breasts, and we can just talk about your issues if you prefer and look at images and video resources.  One great thing about video calls is that you are in charge and you learn breastfeeding skills without anyone else’s hands on you or your baby.  Many clients find it really empowering.  You can book one here

How much is it?

My fee for a home visit in SW15, or consultation in my home, is £120. Book here. 

Offer 50% off your second visit if you book two at the same time, £180 instead of £240. Click here.

Home consultations outside SW15 may include a small contribution towards travel time and transport costs. These will be agreed with you before the visit.  Please call on 07720 425 897 to discuss your requirements.

Video consultations are £95. 

Offer save £55 by booking two video consultations together for only £135.  Book here.

Bottle refusal consultations on video are £95, book here

All visits are payable after the consultation, by bank transfer.

Are you on state benefits? I will visit for a donation, no matter how small, to Oxfam or MSF.

May I book now online?

Yes, click here for my scheduling page.

Can I purchase a consultation as a gift?

Of course you can, what a wonderful gift for a friend or loved one.
Please give me a ring and we can arrange a beautiful gift certificate to be sent to you or the lucky recipient.

Can you come to see me in hospital?

Yes, I often do this within London, either to get feeding off to the best possible start, or to deal with your problems and concerns.

Can someone else be there with me?

It is a great idea to involve your partner, friend, family member, maternity nurse or doula in the consultation. They will be the ones working closely with you long term to achieve your feeding goals. I very often show trusted supporters what we are looking for in terms of effective latch, comfortable positions, and signs of baby drinking well. Your supporters will have their own questions and concerns. I often work with partners on preparing and giving bottles, and winding techniques.

How is your advice different?

My support is always empathetic and non-judgmental. We want happy, calm and empowered parents with well fed babies.
Many new parents feel overwhelmed by contradictory advice from health professionals and the media. They seem to enforce strict ways to latch a baby on, leading to frustrated mothers and babies who struggle to do it all by the book.
I will work with you and your baby, taking into account your unique anatomy and physiology. I may use different approaches to those you may have heard, to make sure that you and your baby are as comfortable as possible. Together we can look at various ways and places to breastfeed so that you have options for day and night time. 

Can you solve all feeding problems?

I wish I could! There are times when exclusive and pain free breastfeeding may not be possible, in the moment or longer term. What I can do is help you to understand what’s going on, refer you to specialist services (for example for tongue-tie procedures), work with you to make a plan on expressing, mixed or bottle feeding, and help you to feel comfortable about your feeding decisions.

Can you fix my baby’s bottle feeding problems?

I work with lots of parents whose little ones are “refusing” to take a bottle.  Most often the baby took a bottle just fine when they were newborn, and then suddenly seemed to forget how to do it when 3-4 months old. Parents tend to blame themselves (“I should have started earlier/been more consistent”) or their baby (“they are just holding out because they know I will offer the boob eventually”). The first thing to know is that babies are not willfully refusing to drink from a bottle, it is a skill that they have to (re)learn.  Together we will work as a team with your baby to figure out where they are getting stuck in drinking from a bottle, and how to help them.  I cannot promise immediate success, it can take about a fortnight before most babies are taking at least some milk from the bottle.  I find that babies over 6m are generally best transitioning to open or sippy cups, so please call me before booking a consultation for an older baby. 

Do you work with LGBTQ+ parents?

Absolutely! My support is always tailored and I aim to be as inclusive as possible.  For example, I have worked with many mums who co-feed their baby or babies and those with babies born through a surrogate. If you wish, I can include you in a local supportive community.

 

Please feel free to get in touch on 07720 425 897 or send me a message