During the first few days of my sons life I experienced a few breast feeding problems that left me with a feeling of utter despair. I contacted Denise who came straight out to me at home. There was no immediate cure but Denise was kind, caring, patient and most of all encouraging. In telling me how wonderful I was doing already and giving me options to improve my technique and alternative methods of making sure my baby had expressed breast milk over the next few days gave me hope.
There is no magic wand Denise waved, but her nuturing arm around my shoulder, sensitive words and listening ear, gave me the will to carry on.
1 year on I am still breast feeding my very healthy son and will be eternally grateful to Denise for being there in my hour of need.
Emma, Nottingham
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I owe so much to Denise. When my daughter was born I decided to breastfeed, and, being a midwife, I felt I would have no problems. However, after seven weeks of excruciating pain, I was totally exhausted and thinking of changing to bottle feed. I just couldn't understand it. The attachment looked correct and the baby was sucking as I would have expected but this horrendous pain that brought me to tears continued. In desperation I gave Denise a call and within a few hours she was knocking on my door. It didn't take her long to rectify the problem, probably within 15 min’s of watching me feed. Her help enabled me to continue breast feeding pain free. Thank you Denise for your kind, wonderful and understanding nature but most of all, thanks for giving my daughter the opportunity to grow up on natural breast milk.
Cheryl, Nottingham
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"I was expecting my second baby and was dreading the prospect of breastfeeding, as the experience with my first baby was horrendous. The guilt and the pressure given from professionals to not give up was overwhelming, so much so I didn't enjoy my son. I managed for an excruciating 8 weeks then finally gave up.
I was determined to get it right this time around, so I contacted Denise who came to my house (before baby was due) for a group consultation with a couple of my friends who were also expecting. We all found the guidance and advice given invaluable. Once my daughter was born I knew what to do right from the start so I never experienced the cracked nipples and soreness that I endured the first time.
After about two weeks of feeding I felt something wasn't quite right on one side, so I contacted Denise again and she came out to me, corrected my positioning and I was away. My daughter is now 10 weeks old and I am feeding pain free and enjoying every minute - thanks to Denise.
Denise is a very warm, friendly, understanding, "you can tell her anything" type person with vast experience. If anyone is having problems with feeding or think they may have problems, call Denise - she'll sort it!!
Denise also supplies nursing bras which I have found very comfortable and reasonably priced; The ability to try these in your own home without having to get the kids out to the shops is also incredibly handy!"
Angie, Nottingham
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I called Denise when I was at a very low point and about to give up breastfeeding; my baby was premature and I’d tried for 4 weeks to feed her myself, hoping to give her the best start. However, I had developed a badly cracked nipple and mastitis and was in a lot of pain and crying at every feed.
Denise arrived at my house within a few hours of me calling her and soon I was, to my amazement, breastfeeding pain free.
Denise carefully, patiently and with empathy showed me the skills I needed to breastfeed. I felt instantly at ease with Denise and she explained the process of breastfeeding so I could understand how to feed my baby rather than just be shown. This meant with practise it became easy and enjoyable and three months on I have a happy, thriving baby.
If you are reading this wondering whether or not to call Denise I would urge you to do so as it honestly turned things around for me. Denise continues to be a reassuring ear who I call from time to time for advice about breastfeeding.
Angela, Nottingham
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Why should I do a course in breastfeeding? After all it's the most natural thing in the world isn't it? That's what I thought. the baby sucks on the nipple and that's about it. but why do so many people struggle to breastfeed and find it so painful?
So I went along to the Birth Talk class little knowing how much I had to gain...
We learned how the baby should attach to the breast (they shouldn't be sucking on the nipple!) We learned how often a baby might feed, practised feeding positions with dolls and knitted breasts(!), what to expect after the delivery, writing a post birth plan, as well as what to do about breastfeeding should things go wrong with the delivery.
This course gave me confidence about breastfeeding from the start and we have never looked back. I haven't suffered with cracked and bleeding nipples, nor have we worried that Toby is not getting enough to eat. I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who would like to breastfeed - in those sleep deprived early days, knowing what you are doing is a great help!
Joanne, Leicester
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I attended the breastfeeding workshop after really struggling to feed my first two children. I was wrongly attaching them from the beginning and as a result became very sore and ended up giving up after just a few weeks. Denise helped me to understand how to correctly attach the baby and as a result I am still breastfeeding at 18 weeks!
Jennie, Leicester
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I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my baby and in preparation I booked up for the Breastfeeding Workshop run at Birth Talk by Denise which I found immensely helpful and gave me the confidence to go with my decision.
But we weren’t naturals at it – me and my new son. Within days of arriving home I began to have problems with painful cracked nipples. It got so bad that every time my baby needed feeding, I had to fight back the tears as he tried to latch on and I was very anxious about the effect this might be having on him. I realised I needed help and was so relieved that I knew who to call. Denise arrived within hours and soon had dramatically improved the situation. It was such a relief to have someone so knowledgeable and supportive and with the patience to sit, observe, offer suggestions and skilfully improve our technique. For the first time I saw milk dribbling from my son’s mouth and the boost that gave my confidence was immense. I began to feel that continuing breastfeeding was really going to be possible.
Denise continued to support us through blocked ducts, mastitis and thrush, patiently answering all my questions by phone and email and encouraging me through some very dark days. Now, fourteen weeks later, I am still feeding my son and loving every minute of it. Breastfeeding has been the most emotional, challenging, personal and rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. But I can honestly say that if it hadn’t been for Denise I would have given up very early on.
Rosemarie, Leicester
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I thought you would like to know that the timing of the workshop i attended couldn't have been better- little Sebastian arrived the following wednesday!!!
I am breastfeeding and it has been going really well from the moment he was born. Thanks to your wonderful advice i have not needed any help so far and seb and i have fallen into a 3-4 hourly feeding pattern. He is putting on weight all the time, i think he's what you would call a 'porker'!!!
Thanks again for all the great advice
Sarah, Leicester
I called Denise when my daughter, Amy, was 16 days old. Amy had been unable to latch onto the breast, and whilst I had had some (limited) success breastfeeding using nipple shields, Amy had failed to gain any weight since birth. Things had to change quickly, but I did not want that change to mean bottle feeding.
At the point I called Denise I felt desperately low and really needed some expert support and advice. After speaking on the phone I felt much more positive, but it was Denise’s two visits to our home where we were able to work through our difficulties patiently and sympathetically (and for my part very emotionally!) that proved invaluable.
There was no quick-fix solution to our difficulties but with Denise’s gentle methods Amy soon managed to relearn her newborn reflexes and began to latch on and breastfeed successfully.
Amy is now 4 months old and has been breastfeeding totally problem-free for the last two months. I am so proud that we persevered, and Amy is thriving.
I have no doubt that without Denise’s help I would not have had the confidence or understanding to keep trying to breastfeed, and I will always be grateful to Denise for helping me to give Amy the best start.
Thank you!
Alice, Nottingham
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