Getting to know...Hannah Croft IBCLC, Lactation Consultant
Hannah and some of her props!
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m Hannah, I live in Canterbury, Kent with my husband and our 2 children who are 8 and 5.
I trained as a Norland Nanny, and after working for some wonderful families, I joined a Children’s Centre Family Support team, before having my own babies!
I’ve always known I wanted to work with babies and families, but it took having my own children to discover what truly made my heart sing!
What made you decide to become a lactation consultant and what did you need to do to qualify?
I struggled with breastfeeding both my children, and I quickly realised how important good quality, evidence based breastfeeding support is. Because of that, I became a peer supporter and then a breastfeeding counsellor for a breastfeeding charity...but I was passionate about working for the IBCLC qualification and was determined to achieve it.
It was quite a long journey to becoming an IBCLC. You have to complete 1000 hours of clinical practice, 14 separate science subjects, and 90 hours of lactation education before you can even apply for the exam.
I worked away at it while my children were little and I was at home with them, before finally sitting and passing the exam at the end of 2018. It was such an exciting moment when I found out I’d passed.
I now have my own private practice offering breastfeeding support, I run a breastfeeding support group for a local CIC and I work for the NHS too. I also have a role as a Parenthood chat practitioner offering support and info to expectant and new families. I love having many different jobs in the breastfeeding world; and I am grateful for the flexibility of fitting things around my own family.
What are the questions you get asked most often?
I get asked about for help with sore nipples, or for babies who are not gaining enough weight. Also for reassurance that all is going well with feeding. It can be unnerving for new parents if you’ve not seen or been around breastfeeding before.
There’s nothing like the feeling of helping a new mum have her first pain-free feed. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!
‘Human milk’!
How can you help mums who are having issues with breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding can look different for every family, so my role is to listen to each family’s goals about how they want to feed their baby. Breastfeeding is normal and natural but it can take time, practice and perseverance to help it all fall into place. It’s a bit like learning to dance!
I offer home visits in my local area to families; I go and observe a feed and help with latching and feeding. I also work with families whose babies are on feeding plans due to health conditions or low weight gain.
I also offer online consultations for families that are a bit further away. It’s surprising how much you can see and do over a WhatsApp call! I started offering these during the first lockdown, and am definitely keeping them as part of my practice for the future. It’s an effective and economical way for families to receive breastfeeding support.
Where is the best place to look if you need a lactation consultant?
https://www.lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/ This website is super!
Some NHS trusts employ IBCLCs so it’s always worth asking what is available to you locally.
IBCLC is the highest qualification you can get in breastfeeding support and we have to undergo lots of training and continual work to keep updated in practice so it’s worth speaking to one of us if you’re not feeling confident with breastfeeding.
We know that there are some ‘magic’ properties of breastmilk – what are the most amazing ones?
There are so many to choose from! Scientists are still learning lots about breastmilk and its importance.
I guess particularly relevant at the moment is the immunities that a breastfeeding mother passes to her baby. As soon as she comes into contact with viruses or bugs that would make her baby ill, the mum starts making the antibodies to pass to her baby to protect them. Mothers also have a feedback system in their breasts which enables them to effectively analyse their baby’s saliva and respond to any immunity threats the baby is experiencing, as well as any growth needs the baby may have.
It’s also amazing that at nighttime breastmilk contains hormones that help baby and mother get back to sleep quicker. Really helpful for night feeds!
And of course breastmilk is constantly changing, every time the baby eats, the milk will be flavoured and altered by the maternal diet meaning once you start solids the family food flavours are already familiar to the baby!
I could go on and on....!
Hannah delivering some online breastfeeding support.
Could you share your top 3 tips for breastfeeding?
If you’re expecting a baby make a feeding plan in the same way you’re making a birth plan. Do some research about breastfeeding; watch some videos, follow IBCLCs on social media for tips, and/or read a book about breastfeeding. Talk to other breastfeeding parents about their experiences. It’s really easy to overlook feeding and concentrate on the birth; but you’ll thank yourself for investing the time.
Take time to find out about local breastfeeding support that’s available to you; support groups or phone numbers of helplines or IBCLCs. And stick them on your fridge or store them in the notes section on your phone so they’re easily accessible when you’ve had your baby.
Ask for help with breastfeeding ASAP! If it’s hurting or you’re feeling anxious don’t be brave; reach out and get the support you need. It may be simple adjustments to make feeding more comfy which can be quickly overcome and make such a difference to your baby and you.
For more helpful hints and tips about breastfeeding you can follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahcroftibclc
If you are interested in finding out more from Hannah about breastfeeding check out ‘Your guide to breastfeeding’! For more information - click here
Don’t forget that we offer parent consultations should you need support with anything from sleep to behaviour and so much more! Details of the packages we offer can be found here.
We also have a podcast - ‘Newborn to Teen and Everything in Between’ - listen here.