https://www.sandravlactation.com/

Sandra V Lactation, Eastern Suburbs, Randwick (2026)

16/11/2021

November 17 is World Prematurity Day

Did you know 1 in 10 babies is born premature? That's more than 27,000 babies in Australia each year.

Most of these babies spend some time - even months - in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This is an extremely stressful time for their families who often need to take extended unpaid time off work and even spend extended periods of time living in temporary accomodation so they can stay closer to their babies. While most of these babies eventually go home to their families to live healthy lives, some may die or suffer lifelong health consequences. Research, development of new equipment and support systems continue to improve care and outcomes for these babies and their families.

I am lucky to have spent the last 6 years working in NICU with these incredible babies and families. I have witnessed the amazing strength families are able to find within themselves and even borrow from one another while riding the rollercoaster that is a stay in NICU.

One of the more common challenges we see near the end of the NICU stay is the period where the baby is learning to suck feed and get all their nutrients and calories this way. By this point babies have often experienced many interventions and the path to full breast or bottle feeding is not easy. Through the stress of the hospital stay and challenges of keeping up with pumping, mothers often struggle with building and maintaining a full milk supply. Premature babies often lag in their growth and struggle to latch and stay on the breast long enough to get enough milk for a “full feed”. It takes an incredible amount of patience and support to reach the goal of “full suck feeding” while still gaining adequate amounts of weight.

These families go through much more than most of us will ever see or understand. We can help by raising awareness and/or funds that contribute to research and hospital equipment to improve outcomes for these babies born too soon.

05/08/2021

🤱Breastfeeding = a baby feeding directly at his biological mother's breast. Right?
Weeeell breastfeeding can look a little different for everyone.

💧Maybe breastfeeding for you was offering drops of expressed colostrum for the first days after birth...

🍼Maybe it's exclusively pumping and bottle feeding your milk.

🔀Maybe breastfeeding for you is using a supply line of donor breast milk or formula while your baby drinks at your breast...

👶🧒Maybe it's tandem feeding your new baby and your toddler.

Each and every drop of human breast milk counts. Let's celebrate all the ways! 🎉

04/08/2021

Hi there GP/Paediatrician/Speech Pathologist/Dietician/Osteopath and all other HCPs,
Let's work together to support breastfeeding families!

If you work with breastfeeding families please consider offering referrals to an IBCLC. This does not mean you have failed a family because you couldn't solve their issue on your own. It means you are willing to bring a team together to better support them!

If you don't agree with some advice given, let's open a conversation to work through it. Could there be some information one of us is missing? Let's learn from each other and provide continually improved care to breastfeeding families!

03/08/2021

It's common to feel a bit helpless when supporting a breastfeeding mother. Although we can't take over the actual breastfeeding for her, there are many things we CAN do!

Some examples for partners, friends and family:
- provide nutritious snacks and top up her water glass/bottle
- send hot meals
- bring her pillows to support her body while breastfeeding
- backrubs/footrubs
- wash pumping parts/bottles/nipple shields/etc.
- remind her she is doing a great job (especially on harder days)
- support her when breastfeeding in public
- ask what her breastfeeding goals are and support her to meet them
- do not suggest she gives up breastfeeding when she is struggling
- ask her what she thinks would help!

Some examples for employers:
- provide a comfortable, inviting, private space for mothers to breastfeed or express milk when they return to work
- provide paid breaks for mothers to feed/express and support them to take these breaks
- know your legal obligations to support breastfeeding mothers returning to work

Businesses and lawmakers:
- Make your business/workplace breastfeeding friendly
- Familiarise yourself with the WHO code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes and implement measures to align with the code

There are SO many ways to support breastfeeding when you aren't breastfeeding. The more we all do to support and normalise breastfeeding the better the outcomes for everyone.

02/08/2021

is as good a time as any to remind you, mama, that you need not be alone on this journey. Although society has a long way to go to fully support and normalise breastfeeding, help is out there. Reach out if you need support!

01/08/2021

August 1 means the start of and the theme this year is Protect Breastfeeding: A shared responsibility. To me, the "shared responsibility" part is key. It's easy to think only of a mother and a baby when we think of breastfeeding. But for a breastfeeding parent to reach their breastfeeding goals they really do need the support of the whole "village". That includes partners, parents, friends, healthcare providers, employers, law makers and the whole culture that surrounds them.

This is so important for breastfeeding parents to remember because I think it is very easy to feel pressure (whether internally or externally) to breastfeed and to carry the weight of that alone. Then, when things don't go well, the breastfeeding parent risks blaming themselves. In reality, research shows that the more supports are in place on all levels, the more likely breastfeeding parents are to reach their goals.

Not only is it great for breastfeeding parents to reach their goals, it also has a positive impact at all levels. Lots of reasons for everyone to share the responsibility of protecting breastfeeding!

13/06/2021

🤔Wondering why someone might hire an IBCLC before baby arrives?

🤰Most people prepare for their new baby's arrival by taking prenatal classes or reading books. Most of these classes and books only cover labour and birth and barely touch on breastfeeding - if at all!

🚼Once your baby has entered this world, you will be spending hours a day feeding your baby. Many people find this challenging in the early days and weeks. Wouldn't it make sense to learn as much as you can about breastfeeding/lactation before your little one arrives?! (Before you are sleep deprived and feel the pressure of getting everything right, NOW?)

➡️Have a swipe through the squares for just some of the things we can cover in an antenatal appointment. Every appointment is tailored to where you are at and what your goals are.

✉️Feel free to message me for more info or book via my website!

08/05/2021

To all the wonderful mamas out there - whether it's your first or your 31st: Happy Mother's Day!

You are amazing! Even if you feel lost and clueless about this whole mama gig. It takes time to grow into this role. Remember: there is no perfect mother out there. You are your baby's world. You are loved.

Have a beautiful day surrounded by snuggles, sloppy kisses, and artwork only-a-mother-could-love 🥰 (and maybe a nap)

22/03/2021

(Woops! I had this post planned and ready to go and then life happened. Better late than never!)

Yesterday was world Down Syndrome Day. A day to raise public awareness of people living with Down Syndrome (or Trisomy 21).

Not only is it possible to breastfeed a baby with Down Syndrome but the benefits of breastfeeding are even more important for these little ones. Babies with Down Syndrome are more at risk of infection so the extra immunity breastfeeding provides is especially important. Babies with Down Syndrome also have low muscle tone so the regular use of the muscles of their mouth and face during breastfeeding helps prepare them for solid foods and speech later on.

If you have recently had or are expecting a baby diagnosed with Down Syndrome know that there is support out there if you wish to breastfeed.

18/03/2021

Feeling like getting baby latched requires too much coordination, timing, effort and frustration?
Can't get baby to open her mouth wide enough?
Constantly latching and re-latching?
Getting a sore neck and shoulders from all that work?

Try leaning back (way back!), take a few deep breaths, trust your baby and let him do the work. Your baby is born with some amazing reflexes priming him to find your breast. Babies use these reflexes along with their senses of touch and smell to find their way. It may feel slow and awkward at first but when you feel like you just can't get latching right this can be the reset that is needed.

Lean back - way back! - and let gravity hold baby on to your body while you make sure she doesn't roll off of you. You can give a little hand here and there, giving her something to push her feet against if needed. No special manipulations of the breast needed. (Taking your top and bra off can really help too.)

Let me know in the comments if this has helped you!

09/03/2021

YOU are the best parent for your child.

Whatever your parenting style, the love you pour into raising your little human is more important than how you feed your baby, how or where your baby sleeps or what activities you do or don't do with your baby. At the end of the day your pride and satisfaction as a parent will grow from doing things that feel right for YOU.

You may not know what feels right right away. It takes trial and error, time and support to grow your confidence. You don't have to get it "right" right away. Nobody does. Because what even is "right" anyway? Know this: Your baby does not have instagram or google. All your baby knows is you and the love you give to them. Even on the days you feel like everything is going wrong, your baby feels your love because you show up and try.

You do YOU mama! You've so got this.

03/03/2021

I'm so proud to be able to call myself an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant!
I've been drawn to working with women and babies my whole adult life and the moment I heard about the existence of a "lactation consultant" I knew it was for me. The further I dove into the IBCLC world the more I loved it. Not only is being invited into a family's world to help them with their breastfeeding/chestfeeding/lactation challenges amazing and rewarding, but so too is getting to know and learning from my fellow IBCLC colleagues from near and far. Cheers to you all!

Sandra V Lactation

16/11/2021

05/08/2021

04/08/2021

03/08/2021

02/08/2021

01/08/2021

13/06/2021

08/05/2021

22/03/2021

18/03/2021

09/03/2021

03/03/2021

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