Private consultations

Individual one-to-one support in your own time
Sometimes you just need that bit of extra support.  All too often mothers aren’t able to access the support and information they need to get breastfeeding off to a good start or to overcome challenges.  I support mothers in their choices in a non-judgmental way.
Specialised support with complex problems
Sometimes you need more technical help with your situation.  I can also provide information and research for your health professional team.
What do I need to do to prepare for a consultation?  Try to feed your baby about an hour beforehand, as it can be more difficult to work with a baby who is very hungry!  Have your Red Book or other notes at hand.  Relax and snuggle with your baby. Here's a good list from Bay Area Breastfeeding:  No Perfect Houses Allowed

Postnatal appointment:     £140
One and a half to two hours
Includes detailed medical and birth history
One-to-one work with you and your baby on positioning and attachment
Strategies to improve your baby's feeding and your milk supply, as necessary
Written care plan
Includes travel time and expenses
Two weeks free follow-up by text or email  

Discount for clients who have had an antenatal appointment with me.

Follow-up appointment:    £60
One hour.

Antenatal appointment:    £75
Looking at how birth can impact getting breastfeeding off to a good start
Second-time mums: making sure breastfeeding works for you this time around
Tailored to your situation
Discount on postnatal appointment
 

Classes

  • BabyDays: Early days classes for pregnant and new parents
    • Held at the ReCentre in Balham

Small group sessions

  • Small groups of mums-to-be meet together in preparation for getting breastfeeding off to a good start.  After the babies are born we meet again to help with any difficulties as they arise, ensuring that everyone gets through those crucial early weeks.
Contact Helen for more information


Presentations and workshops
Gearing up our Babies' future: The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) -- LCGB conference 2016
The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) and the UK-- All Party Parliamentary Group on Infant Feeding and Inequality 2015
Breastfeeding, Infant Mortality and Young Parents -- Infant Mortality Study Day, St Michaels' Fellowship 2014
Positioning and Attachment -- LLLGB conference 2014
The WHO Code and Me -- LLLGB conference 2014
Sore Nipples - Avoiding and Treating -- LLLGB Spring workshop 2014
Women's Voices: in touch with maternity service users -- Kingston University and St George's UoL Supervisors of Midwives course 2014
The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) - Baby Milk Action 2013
From Lay Breastfeeding Counsellor to Professional IBCLC
Workshop facilitated by Helen Gray IBCLC and Deborah Robertson IBCLC
April 28th 2012 - London
November 24th 2012 - London


Bespoke professional training available for health professionals, community and Children’s Centre staff
Contact Helen for more information
Are Lactation Consultants Too Expensive? 
A US-based look at the cost of an IBCLC's services.  In the UK, the Department of Health has estimated that formula feeding can cost families as much as £45 a month; babies who are not breastfed need infant formula for the first 12 months, and some families continue to purchase formula for longer.