Community breastfeeding support service (lactation consultants) — Waikato

If you live in Hamilton City, to contact the community breastfeeding support service:

• phone or text: 021 761 935
• phone: 07 839 8899 (extension 98196)

What lactation consultants do

Lactation consultants work with:

• latching problems
• milk supply issues (too little or too much milk)
• weight gain issues
• pumping milk
• sore nipples and breasts, including infections
• unsettled babies
• weaning
• medical conditions in mother and baby that affect breastfeeding.

What to expect during an appointment

Lactation consultants will:

• listen and take a detailed history of your breastfeeding story
• observe baby breastfeeding and do a full breastfeeding assessment
• work out a plan for you and your baby that will provide solutions
• work with your midwife, Plunket or Tamariki Ora nurse or doctor. Children, partners and whānau are all welcome.

Hamilton City breastfeeding support service

Support is available for mothers with babies up to 3 months of age, provided by Waikato Hospital based lactation consultants.

Hamilton City lactation consultants provide:

• education and support
• appointment based community clinics
• support by phone, text, or email
• information on medications, medical procedures and breastfeeding
• breastfeeding and tongue function assessment with referral to the tongue tie service.

Rural Waikato breastfeeding support service

The rural Waikato breastfeeding support service covers Waikato outside of Hamilton.

Support is available for mothers with babies up to 9 months of age.

Rural Waikato lactation consultants provide:

• education and support
• support by phone, text, or email
• information on medications, medical procedures and breastfeeding
• breastfeeding, tongue function and suck assessment
• home visits.

Access to the community breastfeeding support service is through a referral from your:

• midwife
• doctor
• Plunket or Tamariki Ora nurse
• Whānau Ora
• Pasifika provider
• maternal or baby hub.