Free support to get ready for your baby's arrival
Book an appointment on Zoom or face to face with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding counsellor for personalised 1-1 support to explore what life with your new baby will be like.
Ask questions about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, expressing, sleep, wellbeing and much more!
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Free for families living within West Kent or on the border of East Sussex
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Confidential and non-judgemental
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Online via Zoom or Face to Face in our regular groups
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Your partner is welcome to join you
Are you planning a Caesarean birth?
Thanks to funding from KCC, we have a specialist service designed to help you plan for after your C-section. Appointments are delivered 1-1online via Zoom with a Lactation Consultant or Breastfeeding Counsellor.
You do not need to have booked your caesarean in to access this service.
How can I plan for my baby's arrival?
You are welcome to book an appointment with a Lactation Consultant or Breastfeeding Counsellor to discuss how to plan for feeding and caring for your baby. Topics are guided by you and we can cover feeding, sleep and wellbeing. You are also welcome to drop into our groups before your baby is born to have a cup of tea and meet our volunteers.
Common questions we can support with:
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How do I plan for the best start with breastfeeding?
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If I want to combi feed, when is the best time to introduce bottles?
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How will we cope with fragmented sleep?
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What if my birth doesn't happen as planned?
Partners are always welcome to attend.
Who will I speak to?
All our practitioners are trained and licenced as either "Lactation Consultants" or "Breastfeeding Counsellors" by recognised breastfeeding organisations, and have received advanced training in Holistic Sleep Support with Lyndsey Hookway and have at least 10 years experience supporting families. Our main Zoom Caesarean planning practitioners are Jennie and Jane S.
Jennie Harvey
Breastfeeding Counsellor
Jane Saville
Breastfeeding Counsellor
Is the service free?
We fundraise to ensure that all families within driving distance of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells can access our services for free. For practical purposes you must live within a 40 minute drive of one of our locations.
Each appointment costs us £50 to deliver and we also welcome donations.
FAQs
How long is an appointment?
Each zoom appointment is approximately 40 minutes long.
Who can book?
We encourage you to book yourself an appointment online, or your health professional can book one on your behalf.
Is it really free?
We fundraise relentlessly to ensure our appointments are available free for families in West Kent, so that everyone can offer support regardless of their ability to pay.
Is this a caesarean birth preparation class?
The focus is different from a class about the caesarean operation itself. We concentrate on preparing for life with your newborn afterwards, including feeding, sleep, your recovery and your emotional wellbeing.
Do I need a referral from my GP or health visitor?
No you can book yourself in and you don't need to wait until you are 'bad enough' to receive support. We believe that every family would benefit from our support, so don't hesitate - book today.
Can you give me medical advice about my birth?
Our practitioners are not medical professionals or midwives. The service complements, rather than replaces, individual medical or maternity advice, with signposting to appropriate health professionals when required.
Can my partner join the call?
Your partner is encouraged to join the call - partners often remember different things and are a key source of support for you in the long term.
Can you help with pumping or combination feeding?
Yes, we can support with breastfeeding, expressing/ pumping and bottle feeding.
What happens after my appointment?
You are welcome to return for more support if you need it at any time and no matter what age your baby is.
Can I book another appointment if I need one?
Yes - we encourage families to return for support for however long they need.