Evidence has shown that parents who wish to breastfeed their babies are more likely to be successful if they have a sound understanding of how lactation works, and what is required of them to manage the early weeks of breastfeeding. The Latch aims to provide the necessary education, support and guidance to achieve lactation comfortably and effectively. Our comprehensive care options are detailed below:
THE ‘BREAST’ START
This one-off video consultation, accompanies an early breastfeed once mother and baby are home from hospital. The session checks your feeding technique and sets you on track for trouble-free breastfeeding. This service must be booked ahead of delivery. The session includes:
De-brief of labour and delivery. Advice to manage fatigue and sleep deprivation.
Discussion about lactation - how it works, what to expect in the next six weeks
Observation of a full feed, with advice and guidance for your breastfeeding technique
Specialist opinion to ensure the baby’s latch is optimal on both breasts
Tips to optimise positioning for comfort and maximum milk supply
How to maximise your sleep
How to deal with your baby’s growth spurts (cluster feeding)
How/when to use your breast pump for comfort/convenience/to boost milk yield/to relieve tiredness
Advice for general handling and management of your newborn
Provision of The Latch’s electronic Breastfeeding Manual with information consistent with that given during your video sessions, and useful tips to take you through the first six weeks of breastfeeding.
Cost: £170.00
An option to upgrade to a post natal package of care may be available, dependent upon capacity. AVAILABLE AS A GIFT VOUCHER, ON REQUEST.
Full care package
Video-call sessions - one pre-delivery, the remainder after the baby’s arrival. Typically providing multiple video calls and texts for bespoke advice and support until lactation is fully established (typically, when your baby is approximately 6 weeks old):
Session 1 - Pre-Delivery BREASTFEEDING WORKSHOP
Video call conducted around 36 weeks of pregnancy
For first pregnancies:
Discussion around labour and delivery plans and expectations in order to manage and retain the crucial reserves of emotional and physical energy for the post-delivery period.
For second (or subsequent) pregnancies:
Reflective discussion around your previous experience of labour, delivery and the postnatal period. Advice and planning to manage and/or minimise the risk of previous difficulties experienced in labour or breastfeeding.
PLUS - For all pregnancies:
Equips/refreshes new mothers and their partners with a solid understanding of breast feeding.
Explains the lactation cycle – how it works, what sometimes goes wrong and why.
Demonstrates the techniques and positioning required to achieve the all-important ‘latch’ - the key to successful breastfeeding.
Advises how the breastfeeding cycle changes as the baby develops and grows
Provision of advice sheet
Provision of recommended shopping list for breastfeeding equipment
Q&A session
Regular email/text contact to ensure all is well, with advice as required prior to delivery.
Session 2 - an early feed
Video call to you at home (or in the hospital, if required), preferably day 1 or 2 post birth, covering the following issues:
All aspects of the feed
Observation and supervision of a complete feed
Changing breasts. Positioning and achieving a comfortable latch on both sides.
Managing your baby’s wind
Putting the baby down to sleep
Discussing the mother’s diet, fluids and self-care
Provision of advice sheet
Q&A session
Regular ongoing contact to ensure all is well, with advice as required.
Follow up SESSIONS
Video calls and/or texts (as preferred) conducted as and when required to provide step-by-step guidance and support throughout the first six weeks of life, and typically covering:
Managing the transition from colostrum to milk feeds.
Recognising and managing the ‘let down’ of milk into the breast. How this affects the feed and the baby.
Advice for dealing with unsettled babies
Managing feeds on demand around the mother’s need for sleep.
Managing growth spurts
Increasing or decreasing milk supply to match your baby’s changing demands
Pumping and storing breast milk – do’s and don’ts
Breastfeeding in public
What to expect in the following days/weeks
Returning to work whilst breastfeeding
Provision of advice sheet
Q&A session
Additional text contact and advice throughout your baby’s first six weeks of life.
cost: £280
This package of care may be purchased as a gift voucher for a new mother (subject to availability of service FOR THE PERIOD REQUIRED)
please SEE GIFT VOUCHERS PAGE TO order. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO BOOK AT LEAST SIX WEEKS AHEAD OF THE EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF THE BABY TO SECURE AVAILABILITY.
POST NATAL CARE PACKAGE
This video-call service guides you, step by step, through the first month of your baby’s life to optimise breastfeeding and the general management of your newborn, from your arrival home after birth, until your baby is 1 month old. This comprehensive package typically comprises:
EARLY FEED CALL
A video call during your first day at home (or in the hospital, if required) after birth to provide:
Observation and supervision of early colostrum feed, with advice and direction to ensure that the all-important comfortable ‘latch’ is achieved on both sides to optimise feeding for both you and your baby.
Recognition and correction of poor early feeding techniques and practices: positioning of the baby, handling of the breasts, how to wind your baby, which breast to use etc
Advice to gently ease your baby’s transition from uterine life to the outside world.
Advice, demonstration and supervision of general baby handling; winding techniques; putting your baby down to sleep; managing the parents’ sleep; general baby health and well-being etc.
Provision of printed handout to remind and reinforce advice given.
DAY 3-4 CALL
Video call to coincide with the arrival of your milk. This call will check your progress and discuss issues that may have arisen, review ‘the latch,’ and provide you with the knowledge and confidence required to breastfeed comfortably and effectively:
Observation and supervision of feed to achieve optimal feeding.
Winding your baby; recognising and managing the ‘let-down’ of milk.
Advice to optimise the natural lactation cycle and achieve a content, settled baby.
How to manage feeding on demand around the mother’s need for sleep.
ONGOING ADVICE & SUPPORT
Regular video calls/texts (as per client preference)to provide step-by-step advice and support throughout the first month, typically covering:
Discussions re progress; advice for the resolution of any issues that have arisen.
Management advice in anticipation of the 10 day and 3 week growth spurts, and support throughout.
How to modify your milk supply to meet your baby’s demand as he/she grows.
Expression of breast milk – hand expression; use of breast pumps; safe storage and use of breast milk.
Introducing the baby to a bottle of expressed milk.
Discussions and advice regarding your baby’s natural routine and anticipation of future behavioural changes.
Final call to discuss mother’s return to work (if applicable); what to expect in the coming weeks
Provision of printed handout(s) to remind and reinforce advice given.
cost: £230
This package of care may be purchased as a gift voucher for a new mother (subject to availability of service FOR THE PERIOD REQUIRED)
please SEE GIFT VOUCHERS PAGE TO order. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO BOOK AT LEAST SIX WEEKS AHEAD OF THE EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF THE BABY TO SECURE AVAILABILITY.
CRISIS CONSULTATION service
Video calls conducted during several feeds, as required, to resolve specific difficulties and ensure breastfeeding is progressing normally. Those experiencing pain or unsettled babies are advised to seek advice promptly for early resolution and avoidance of longer term issues. Indications for this service include:
Painful breastfeeding
Engorgement
Mastitis or plugged ducts
Poor milk supply
Oversupply of milk
Management of unsettled babies
Provision of advice sheet(s)
Q&A session
COST: £185
EXCLUSIVELY For those delivering with the Oxford maternity units:
The Oxford ‘Breast’ Start Service:
A virtual pre-delivery masterclass in breastfeeding, conducted around 36 weeks of pregnancy
A 1:1 home visit (typically 1-2 hrs) on your return from hospital to:
Learn how to handle your baby and manage their general care in these early days
Learn how to optimise your technique for comfortable, effective breastfeeding
Supervision of a full feed
Discuss what to expect over the following six weeks as lactation establishes
Manage fatigue
Demonstrate pumping to facilitate shared feeding duties, growth spurts and return to work
Troubleshoot and deal with problems
Provision of The Latch’s Electronic Manual for Successful Breastfeeding
COST: £200
NB: LIMITED CAPACITY - ADVANCED BOOKING BEFORE 32 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY IS ESSENTIAL. AVAILABLE AS A GIFT VOUCHER, ON REQUEST.
group BREASTFEEDING WORKSHOP
Create your own group class via video-conference. Invite your expectant friends or ante-natal class co-attendees (and their partners) to join you for a breastfeeding masterclass ahead of your baby’s arrival. This group class is complementary to routine ante-natal preparation classes, and naturally creates a lively discussion forum. You will hear answers to questions you had not even thought to ask!
Minimum 4, maximum 10 mothers-to-be plus partners. Recommended to be attended before 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Content as per ‘Pre-Delivery Breastfeeding Workshop’ session above.
cost: £50 PER COUPLE
REFLECTIVE SESSION FOR 2nd (or later) PREGNANCIES
A bespoke video session reflecting on your previous labour, delivery and breastfeeding experiences. Particularly useful for those parents who struggled to breastfeed previous babies, and would like to avoid difficulties with this pregnancy.
Discussion about your previous pregnancy, labour and delivery and how this may have affected your breastfeeding experience.
Exploration of the problems encountered during your breastfeeding journey. What went wrong; how did you feel; what advice (if any!) were you given?
Discussion around the reasons that lactation may have been sub-optimal. How to avoid making the same mistakes again.
Construction of plan for breastfeeding your new baby, including plans for labour and delivery to avoid emotional and physical exhaustion after delivery.
Explanation - how lactation works, why it goes wrong, how to avoid problems.
Q&A Session