Polly Smith, IBCLC (she/her)
I strongly believe that you know your baby best and know what will be right for your family
Do you need help feeding your baby? Click here
I always knew breastfeeding was important to me, but I was poorly prepared and struggled with breastfeeding at the start.
I had twins born at 36 weeks and was in hospital for the first 7 days of their life, trying so hard and feeling like everything was going wrong. In the middle of this chaos and all the tears, I had a sudden moment of clarity and determination – then and there, I made a commitment to myself that I would do everything I could to prevent other new mothers struggling the way I had.
I was lent The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by a friend and found myself reading bits of it at 2am whilst trying to figure out how to make breastfeeding go more smoothly. The words resonated with me. I called the La Leche League helpline whilst still in the hospital and found the person I spoke to was reassuring and confident in my abilities. What a huge relief this was! Months later, I attended my local LLL meetings and became an LLL Leader.
After several years of breastfeeding counselling, I began training to become an IBCLC. After completing 14 health sciences, 90 hours of lactation training and 1,000 hours of breastfeeding support, followed by a 4-hour exam, I qualified as an IBCLC in December 2020.
As a parent, I quickly discovered attachment parenting methods felt right for our family. We also made the decision to home educate, which brings me a lot of joy. My approach to life is gentle, accepting and respectful. I will listen to you and support you and I understand what it is like to struggle, to have sleepless nights and to need that person by your side encouraging you.
Services
Holistic, Child Focused Support
Consultation
£90 approximately 1-2hrs
This is for anyone who needs a 1:1 session to help with challenging or complex breastfeeding situations. It is also helpful for someone who would like to receive specialist 1:1 breastfeeding support in their own home. It includes a feeding assessment, suggestions and support to help you, a write up which will include everything discussed during the consult and a plan for going forward. WhatsApp support is included after the session.
Full Breastfeeding Package
£250
A package includes an antenatal breastfeeding preparation session, a full consultation in your own home once your baby is here, two follow up consultations for on-going support and WhatsApp support in between sessions. A package can be designed to suit your individual needs, contact me to discuss your requirements.
Antenatal breastfeeding preparation session
£60 – 1-2hrs
This is suitable for anyone who would like to plan and prepare for breastfeeding with information tailored to your needs. It can be helpful for anyone expecting their first baby, as well as anyone who had difficulties breastfeeding their previous baby. Sit with me in your own home and ask all the questions you have related to breastfeeding and infant feeding.
Zoom consultation
£60 – 1-2hrs
A zoom consult can be helpful if you’ve got a breastfeeding situation that does not require an in person consultation, but you’d like specialist help. Maybe you stopped breastfeeding before you wanted to and would like to discuss relactation, maybe you’re returning to work and would like a consultation on how to manage this alongside breastfeeding, or perhaps you’d like to discuss introducing solids and need tips on how to do this. Includes a write up.
Phone call
£30 – up to 1 hr
A phone call is helpful if you need to talk to a specialist about anything related to infant feeding. Perhaps you’ve got on-going struggles with one element of breastfeeding, perhaps you would like help with stopping breastfeeding, or something new has happened which means you’re now struggling and you need help to overcome it so you can continue breastfeeding.
WhatsApp support
£20/week or £60/month
Are you feeling alone with breastfeeding and need someone experienced to message and ask questions, gain confidence from and be alongside you for your infant feeding journey? This would suit anyone who needs guidance and help that they currently lack. Maybe you don’t know anyone else who breastfed or is breastfeeding, maybe you don’t feel confident to go to support groups, maybe you need someone to listen to you when you’re struggling. WhatsApp support can be purchased weekly or monthly for however long is needed.
Polly has been a huge support helping me establish breastfeeding. From providing technical information and guidance on how to get your baby to latch correctly through to detail on how to increase my milk supply.
Her support was absolutely worth the investment; Polly was quick to respond to all my queries and provided me with all the essential content to make informed decisions. More importantly, she listened to my physical and emotional needs and helped me achieve my breastfeeding goals with ease.
I would highly recommend Polly
Polly helped me with my breastfeeding journey, after I had my daughter. Her support was invaluable and made my experience more relaxed. The information and support she provided was comprehensive and addressed all my anxieties as a first time mother. I am forever grateful for her sensitive and non-judgemental approach.
Breastfeeding has been a very hard journey for me, with lots of different challenges. I was recommended Polly and it was the best decision I made. Polly offered support in the comfort of your own home. Her advice, knowledge and help was brilliant as she even offers continued support through the phone. Thank you so much Polly.
