Breastfeeding consultants

Has anyone had any experience with an English speaking lactation consultant in Munich? I'd like to have someone I can call on if I have difficulties feeding my baby when s/he arrives.
I know La Leche has a group in Munich that meets once a month (link provided for those interested) But I was really after someone I can call on for one-on-one advice in the flesh.

Thanks in advance.

La Leche Link
http://www.expats-in-bavaria.com/community...a_leche_league/

lactation consultant? You're shitting me...

Just ask the Hebamme for advice.

Well, I have heard it all now! Lactation Consultant - what a load of crap!

Reminds me of ridiculous job titles such as 'refuse executive' - i.e. binman or 'Head of verbal communications' - i.e. receptionist or 'optimal illuminator enhancer' i.e. Window cleaner! Whatever happened to good old 'Midwife'?

I'd recommend contacting the Le Leche group there in Munich. You could probably attend a few of the meeting before the baby comes and make a few friends. I'm sure someone in the group would be more than happy to give you their number in case you had any troubles or questions once baby arrives.

I'd offer myself to help, but I don't live by close and I'm not exactly a pro.. I've only had and nursed one baby so far.

I asked my Hebamme for help when breastfeeding my first baby. She could see nothing that i was doing wrong. And i continued to struggle.

I know the name "lactation consultant" is a little OTT, but it is their title nontheless.

I will be in touch with La Leche nearer the time, but I'd like to have the name of someone I can arrange to see when i need help, not just a group I can attend on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Thanks for the offer of help though

When I read Breastfeeding councillors I thought: I know we look after our local politicians well but this is getting ridiculous!

i had my baby in the USA and a consultant came to see me after giving birth, she was very helpful.
over there i was kicked out of hospital after 24 hours and if you don't have insurance your on your own!
i don't know any over here but i would suggest you speak to people who have beast feed before and they should give you some tips
good luck

Wikipedia Definition of Midwife
A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program that is duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. The educational program may be an apprenticeship, a formal university program, or a combination. The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife's own responsibility and to provide care for the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures. The midwife has an important task in health councilling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women's health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare. A midwife may practice in any setting including in the home, the community, hospitals, clinics or health units

Wikipedia Definition of Lactation Consultant
A lactation consultant is a healthcare provider recognized as an expert in the fields of human lactation and breastfeeding. The USLCA, United States Lactation Consultant Association, is the presiding organization in the United States of America and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is the professional association for certified laction consultants internationally. A Board Certified Lactation Consultant will have the initials IBCLC and/or RLC after her/his name, as a physician would have MD or DO, or a registered nurse would have RN. Lactation Consultants can be found in private practice, on staff in hospitals, and in the public health arena.

I'll feel all warm and fuzzy going to bed tonight knowing I've helped enlighten you on the difference between Midwives and Lactation Consultants.
Can I presume from your reply that you don't know of anyone who fits the bill?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that an English-language wikipedia definition of the role of a midwife may NOT in fact exactly correspond to what a German Hebamme does!
Maybe you just need to try a different hebamme -- mine helped a lot with breastfeeding issues with both my first and second babies, and she did come to my home just to help with breast-feeding several times. In both cases I had a lot of difficulties the first month--but once we got in the groove, no problems at all. My hebamme didn't mind me calling her late at night when I was having real difficulties and was able to help (I won't bore everyone with the details). If you have BKK insurance, the hebamme's advice is absolutely free--and if you have breast-feeding issues you can get free advice for the whole time you are breast-feeding, not just immediately post-partum.

Wow. Thanks... Would you (or your midwife) mind if I have her contact details? The main reason I went with my last midwife (although she is lovely) was because she spoke English. She watched me feed my daughter, and didn't give me any advice on what I was doing wrong. Having not had any experience of English midwives in the UK I shouldn't really comment, although I have to say friends and family seemed to benefit more from their UK midwives than I did my German midwife - she seemed more focused on my daughter really. Your midwife sounds like a real gem though. I have private health insurance. Thanks again. Nice to know there are a few who have taken my post seriously

The first few posts get me really annoyed. I am sorry but it isn't a given that breastfeeding is smooth and easy from day one. With my first child our hebamme was helpful, but things still weren't easy and we had a lactation consultant out after a month. She was German speaking, but absolutely lovely, kind and compassionate and everything went smoothly after her advice. I am happy to give you her name if you speak german...! Good luck and good for you to be prepared!

Nipple positioning. That is the biggest challenge. You got the milk, the kiddo has a vacuum suck more than its weight at newborn status and you just have to bring the two together properly. Getting the position right is the biggest problem. I highly recommend a nursing chair. It forces you to sit properly, hold the baby properly and all is copasetic. Course, you could always get hubby to prime the pump so to speak.

Thank you. I think some people just can't help themselves.
I was reluctant to give my full history in the original post. But i will say that I breast fed my daughter for 7 months, and It was the hardest thing i've ever stuck at - with no help, or understanding from anyone. Although my Hubby was very encouraging. I had Milchstau, engorgement problems followed by a sudden dry spell followed by engorgement again. I was cracked and bleeding. And after feeding I was purple/black. My daughter had nothing but my milk till she was 5 and 3/4 months old. I had done lots of research before she was even here, but none of the theory helped. Breast feeding is without a doubt THE most painful thing i've ever been through. Including giving birth. My midwife was very nice. But I guess just not trained enough in the area to be able to help me. So, if I need help from someone with a silly job title then, so be it.

I would really like to have the contact details of your Lactation Consultant. My German isn't so bad, and I'm sure i'd get by, it sounds as though she is patient.

Thank you for your help.


He'd like you

I think you're right, some idiots just can't help making sarcy comments - oh hang on a minute, one of those people was me!!

Sorry, I didn't mean to take the piss but the job title was just so stupid that I couldn't help it! I know that breastfeeding is difficult and painful. When I had my daughter she was very sick and in hospital for a few weeks and the only reason I learnt how to breastfeed properly was because the nurses were very patient and spent a lot of time helping me with the positioning so I definitely agree that help is required but I just don't think there's such a thing as a 'lactation consultant' in the UK and I find it weird to believe that there is a person who only goes around helping people to breastfeed - surely it should be in the remit of midwives.

Good luck with the breastfeeding anyway!

The Berufsverband Deutscher Laktationsberaterinnen would probably be worth contacting.

The lactation consultant who helped me in the Taxisklinik spoke english I think. I hvaen't had any contact with her since then, as the midwife has been helping me, but I just googled her and it would appear she does house visits. Her details are here: Linda Tsakiris

Your apology is much appreciated. I would just like to say that just because you personally aren't aware of something it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Taken from this site - http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:igDvo...lient=firefox-a

"This shortage of training is one reason why the UK breastfeeding rate is among the lowest in Europe (Renfrew et al, 2000: 1). Only two-thirds of babies receive any breast milk at birth, and by four months over half of their mothers have given up altogether, mainly because of preventable problems, rather than by choice (ONS, 1997). Of course, many health workers in various roles do learn more about breastfeeding at study days and conferences, and develop practical skills. We all know midwives who can get any baby latched on, and health visitors who spend hours encouraging weary mothers to keep going. Such support by professionals with specialist skills appears to increase the length and exclusivity of breastfeeding (Sikorski and Renfrew, 1999; Anonymous, 1999)...

While there have been breastfeeding specialists and supporters in this country for many years, lactation consultants appeared only in the last decade...

...However, clinical training may be insufficient for a midwife to recognise poor attachment to the breast, and to know how to help a ten-day-old breastfed baby with colic. So there is no guarantee that even midwives will give mothers adequate help in establishing breastfeeding. The nationwide shortage of midwives compounds the problem, and many feel very frustrated by the lack of available time for postnatal care. Voluntary breastfeeding counsellors give invaluable support, but they should not be expected to fill the gaps in health service provision and staff training."

Luckily for you, you had the care, help and support you needed to do your best for your baby. I was on my own (not including Hubby).

Not being one to stick my head in the sand - or give up without trying - I decided this time I would be ready, as research doesn't seem to be enough for me. I have plans to find a support group, a better midwife, a lactation consultant and a cranial osteopath (manipulation of baby's skull to correct mis-alignment caused during birth, which can cause a bad latch).

(Just a quick thank you to those who have pm'ed me with help/info/support too. )

Edit - Thanks Kathie, that's fantastic.

No problem. We also have an appointment with a cranial osteopath on Wednesday who has been recommended to me by my midwife, so I can let you know how she is too if you're interested?

That would be really brilliant. Thank you so much!