Saturday, December 19, 2009

Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes




"Boobs in the Berries" Antenatal Classes are funny, fun, and - most of all - useful. The Classes are for families who are still pregnant. Your boobs will thank you (pain-free breastfeeding is a good thing), your midwife will thank you (you will get off on the right foot), your partner will thank you (gives them an idea of what they can do to help), but most of all your baby will thank you (you will find out why at class).

Classes are taught on an organic Blueberry Farm. Why an organic blueberry farm? Because it is beautiful, delicious, and a lovely day out... And also because, Mandi Lynn (that's me) lives there, my studio is there, and I love to have people around, so why would I hold it anywhere else?

In my position as a Lactation Consultant for the Hutt Valley DHB, I developed a two-hour long class that attempted to cram in everything that I see as important for breastfeeding success. The classes were an overwhelming success and began bursting at the seams very quickly. The Lead Maternity Carers were all sending me their clients, because they found that when they did, their clients emerged with a much more solid start in breastfeeding, and had significantly fewer problems. The Hospital Midwives all commented that they could easily tell when a mother had been to my class because she took to breastfeeding like a duck to water.

I have stepped down from my role at the DHB to focus on my farm and photography, but I couldn't give up all of my work with mums and babies, so thus was born "Boobs in the Berries."  (Actually, it started out as Boobs in the Bushes, but then when I Googled it, got a bit of a shock... I figured that wasn't where I wanted to be leading people, and Boobs in the Berries seemed much tamer to Google.)

My classes are practical, fun, and entertaining. You will actually practice with a doll or stuffed animal and will get support to learn:

  • How do you achieve pain-free feeding?
  • How do you get sleep with a baby that is feeding around the clock?
  • What do you do if your baby just will not feed in the beginning?
  • How to know if your baby is getting enough milk?
  • How long and how often do the little guys need to feed?
  • Can you have a glass of wine and breastfeed?
  • What about demand feeding versus routine feeding?
  • Which modern day parenting practices have a negative impact on baby's instinctual feeding skills?
  • What is an effective winding techniques to help prevent colic?
  • What to eat when you are breastfeeding.
  • Practical tips of how your partner can help you to succeed at breastfeeding as well as give you a little break.
  • The truth about baby formula.
  • What if you don't have enough milk?
  • What if you have too much milk?
  • The Neurodevelopmental aspects of breastfeeding (how your baby's brain is getting wired and why what you do matters so much).
  • Tips for creating harmony and relaxation around the house with a new baby.
  • What ever other questions the group has.
The classes are held on most Sundays at 2pm in our Native American Tipi. So you can come up for the day, have a picnic, pick your own organic blueberries, then learn how to slide into parenting with the least amount of drama.

There is no fee charged for the course, but a $20.00 per person koha would enable us to provide breastfeeding support for those with less financial means in the Wellington region.

What to bring:
  • Yourself
  • Togs if you want to go swimming (we have a beautiful swimming hole at the farm)
  • Your support person
  • Togs for them if they want to go swimming too
  • A doll or stuffed animal that is roughly the size of a newborn
  • A picnic if you want, or if you are feeling decadent you can just elect to eat buttermilk pancakes and a bluesky blueberry milkshake in our sweet shop.
  • A picnic blanket would be good as well, as depending on the weather we may have the class in the meadow or in the Tipi.
  • Sensible shoes for walking on a farm.
To register for the classes all you have to do is follow the link below:
Register for Antenatal Classes here:
7 Feb 2010
14 Feb 2010
21 Feb 2010
28 Feb 2010

Breastfeeding Help after Baby is Born

Group Breastfeeding Master Classes:
If you have a few things you want to tweak after baby is born, to really get you off on the right step, then the Breastfeeding Master Class is for you.  I will see three families at a time, and will work through the challenges that you are having.  You will leave with a plan of care that is individually tailored to your family.  The cost is $50.00 dollars per family.
The classes last 1.5-2 hours and are taught on Tuesdays at 10:30.  Register Here

Private Lactation Consultations:
I am only occasionally available to travel to peoples homes as I usually see people on my farm. My rate is $80.00 per hour.  Sessions usually last between 1-1.5 hours.  If you wish me to see you in your own home, travel expenses will be added: Wellington $40.00, Hutt Valley $30.00.  Register Here

Friday, December 18, 2009

Who is Mandi Lynn?

Hello,
My Name is Mandi Lynn.  For the last 7 years I have been working as an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant for the Hutt Valley District Health Board.  In that time we were able to raise our breastfeeding rates from the low 50's to 79% exclusive, and over 90% of the mothers left hospital breastfeeding.  I developed a Lactation Consultant Training Program which had attendees from all over New Zealand, and then was asked by the Ministry of Health to consult on the development of their new breastfeeding DVD.

It has been a very exciting few years, but the time eventually came where I needed to spend more time with my family on our farm.  But to give up mothers and babies is unthinkable, so my happy medium is to run my classes and lactation consulting from my home on The Blueberry Farm.

On our farm there is an award-winning portrait studio that specializes in expectant families.  I have won two national awards from the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers for my maternity photography. I was pretty chuffed about that really, because my photography came as a spin-off when I needied to provide beautiful illustrations for my breastfeeding book in progress.

I believe in giving back.  I know that there are lots of gaps in the acute breastfeeding services for families with limited resources.  I am hoping to bridge a gap by providing low-cost antenatal breastfeeding classes that will then subsidize acute care for those with no money to afford a lactation consultant.

I am an American by birth and a Kiwi by choice.  If you want to read the article about my adventures on the farm in New Zealand Life and Leisure, you can link to it here.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Comments by other health professionals in New Zealand

From Penny Wyatt:

Lactation Consultant at Capital and Coast District Health Board on hearing of Mandi's decision to stop working for Hutt Valley District Health Board --

"Hi Mandi

On a professional level I would like to thank you for your whole hearted support and encouragement.  You were one of the first to reach out in a genuine and welcoming way and help me to fit into this role when I started. I have always been impressed with your breastfeeding knowledge and your intuition, not to mention your drive, stamina, creativity and humour!  So professionally I'm sorry to lose an ally and role model.  I wish you every success with your LC work and all your other ventures.

And on a personal level, I say WHOOPEEEE!  Have a fab time you amazing woman!  See you really soon I hope!
Xxx with love
Penny"

Alison Wightman, Hutt Valley LMC:
"Thanks Mandi for all the hard work that you did at the DHB. Your input was greatly appreciated, and although it is sad not to have someone on site I can see that you are going to do some awesome work in the community! I will indeed let people know about Boobs in the Berries."

Chris Griffiths, Hutt Valley LMC:
"Well done! I will continue to recommend your class to every woman, as the women I have had who have attended your classes have been full of confidence and competence, and all has gone well postnatally."

Deb Wright, Taranaki District Health Board:
"Hi Mandi

All the very best with your new venture.

I have been meaning to email you to tell you how our PN and NNU are now frequently using the tubigrip for skin to skin.  Four staff from TDHB attended your study days earlier this year and have run with the idea and it is just great to see.

They also talked about the readiness to feed sequencing. I wonder if you still have that info or if you can tell me where I can find it.

It all seemed so clear when they discussed it. It is nice to have other staff around supporting ideas and thanks to you I have that now.

All the very best as you move into private work Mandi. It sounds very exciting and I hope we can still keep in touch from time to time.

Regards

Deb Wright
LC
TDHB"