| QualificationsLactation Consultant (IBCLC) Registered General Nurse Registered Health Visitor BA(Hons) Community Health Care |
|
I'm Helen Hamilton, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). My interest in Breastfeeding was awakened through Breastfeeding my own two sons. Back then I became involved with NCT, offering parental support and with the Breastfeeding Network, and attended tutorials for trainee lay Breastfeeding Counsellors. In 1997 I was accepted to begin Health Visitor training and this is where my passion for helping mothers and their babies became a reality. I have been supporting mothers and their babies with Breastfeeding for the past 13 years.
In 2002 I was invited to be one of two health visitors, alongside two midwives, to set up Aylesbury Breastfeeding Clinic at Stoke Mandeville Hospital - I worked there for 4 years as a Breastfeeding Advisor before relocating with my family to Capel, near Dorking, Surrey. During these years I extended my knowledge and skills to help mums to Breastfeed, attending many study days and short courses. My personal ambition for several years was achieved in 2007 by gaining the IBCLC qualification. This involved a 6 hour exam, proof of at least 2,500 hours of helping mothers, 2 professional references, and attending specialist training courses and many hours of personal study. An IBCLC has to re-register every 5 years and show evidence they have kept up-to-date by further study. Find out more about IBCLCs here. Understanding that helping mums in their own families and communities has the greatest success to continuing Breastfeeding, I have been the Breastfeeding Advisor in NHS Healthy Living Centres, Baby Cafes and mentored peer supporter mums. Since the Summer of 2008 I practised for two years as an independent Lactation Consultant at Roffey Childrens Centre in Horsham on behalf of West Sussex Council. My philosophy is that mothers and their families are unique and will have personal preferences including differences in parenting style and ideas on how they wish to feed their own baby - my approach is to be supportive of these. Currently I am in private practice and offer expertise and personal, tailor made help for breastfeeding mothers. I am confident in providing you with a home visit and can also offer Consultations by telephone or e-mail if preferred. Recent testimonial from a happy Mum!" Hi Helen, thanks for coming round on Saturday, you were a huge help. My milk supply is starting to respond - we have not had a hysterical feed for 48 hours now! Zara has been much more settled and has even fallen asleep comfort-sucking a few times - I am delighted!!! Such a change from the flailing, battling feeds we were having before. I hope I'm not speaking prematurely after only two days, but the difference in my baby girl is immense - I can't tell you how happy I am! Thanks so, so much."1 week later following a reply from Helen to C's follow-up e-mail: " Hi Helen, the feeds have continued to improve and Zara is so, so much happier - as am I!! Your service is fab, very very grateful and have been recommending you to all my friends." Helen holds current registration with the NMC as a Registered Health Visitor (Oxford Brookes 1998) and a Registered General Nurse (Royal Free Hospital 1988) Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance is provided by The Royal College of Nursing. Helen is enhanced CRB checked (lastly in August 2008). To book an appointment please phone Helen on 07786 169 983
|