Lactation Consultant Leeds

08/10/2026

The softest flannels for the bath, makeup remover pads, face wash, polish cloths, weaning flannels …

Some of the many uses of reusable breast pads when your done with them.

Are you at that point you can trust your “let down” without them though?!

What have you used yours for?

(These were a gorgeous gift from a friend of mine when he was born from LoveBee and have kept their softness, can highly recommend)

11/09/2026

Happy half birthday baby boy and half a year birthing day to me!

Spending the day reflecting on the past 6 months, the early days and weeks (and months) were HARD. There were tears, medical complications, regrets, learning and not a lot of sleep. But also a lot of skin to skin, cuddles, latching, support, cosleeping and family time.

But I wouldn’t change the world’s smiley-est baby for the world!

A lot has changed since then (apart from the lack of sleep!)

I’m very proud of myself for making it to the 6 months milestone expressing my milk for him and have been enjoying him explore different foods, textures and flavours this week. His first foods have included:
- peanut butter 🥜
- broccoli 🥦
- Greek yoghurt 🇬🇷
- sweet potato 🍠
- mango 🥭

Seeing him explore new foods and flavours this week and pouring myself into weaning him onto solids is kathartic. Especially when there’s been feeding problems.

Irony is the main word that goes round my head. Ironic that an IBCLC struggled with straight forward breastfeeding?! Perhaps. But also many IBCLCs do, because they become IBCLCs for a reason which usually is linked to wanting to do better for others than for what happened with themselves. And this is the passion that will keep me going in supporting others, because life gave me lemons and I sure as hell am good at making lemonade 🍋 🤪

13/03/2026

Welcome to the world baby Diego 🩵🌈

Mum and baby both doing well at home recovering and learning to feed!

04/03/2026

Best move I made becoming an IBCLC to support my role as a specialist infant feeding midwife.

Shout out to my fellow IBCLCs who are with me every step of the way:


Www.emilybutterworth.com (not on insta)

22/02/2026

Overcoming previous low supply (following on from my last post)

Here’s my plan and a plan I would put in place for any future clients who have previously struggled

- detailed debrief on past experience and health issues
-antenatal colostrum harvesting
- early and regular breast stimulation from birth
- keeping baby close
- comfortable deep latch
- breast compressions and switch nursing
- skin to skin
- monitor thyroid and anaemia throughout pregnancy and postnatal period (if a known pre existing issue)
- measure fl**ge and ensure you’ve done some pump research
- consider donor milk and different ways of supplementing baby if needed or a careful plan to reduce down formula if used
- consider not weighing on day 3 if you have trust in continuity of specialist breastfeeding care
- consider taking supplements known to be supportive of milk supply such as Moringa and other galactogogues (do some research on the pros/cons)
- support support support
- self love and kindness

I’d love to hear what else you’ve been recommended that would help or what you would do differently in future?

22/02/2026

Low supply

This is the reason I got into breastfeeding support in the first place and then drove my passion to being an IBCLC.

By far the most consuming worry I’ve had this pregnancy (once I let myself believe this little one was truly coming to us!) is how my breastfeeding journey and milk supply will be this time. As last time with my nearly 7 year old daughter the shock of low milk supply hit my like a tonne of bricks and took many years to get over.

Many pregnant women put a lot of prep into birth, what pram they’re going to buy, brand of nappies, washing endless amounts of newborn clothes but not many do a detailed prep into breastfeeding. Until they’ve had previous low supply (or other breastfeeding issue).

Your health, birth and how the first few weeks of breastfeeding go can raise “risk factors” (swipe post to see) for having low milk supply but there are often ways to overcome these.
I’ll post a second step to this post on what I’ve been prepping this time round to help alleviate my previous supply issues in the hope that it will help others reading it.

As with all my posts this advice is personalised and does not replace in person specialist support unique to your own health and situation.

Whilst true low milk supply is a genuine health concern so is perceived low supply, working out with an IBCLC which category you fall into could be a game changer and avoid potentially putting the wrong plan in place for future.

06/02/2026

Please share

We understand that recent infant formula recalls may be causing worry for parents and carers. Our information page explains which products are affected and what you should do.

Batches from brands including Aptamil, Cow & Gate and SMA have been recalled. If you have formula at home, check the batch code as affected products may still be in your cupboard.

If you have an affected batch:

- Stop using it
- Return it to the store for a replacement
- You can switch to another batch or brand
- If formula was prescribed, speak to a pharmacist or doctor first

For a full list of affected batches and more information on infant formula recalls: https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/infant-formula-recalls

20/12/2025

A very Merry Christmas to all of you on my social media whom have been so integral to the growth of business for another year.

Thank you for every liked post, share, recommendation, question, booking for your little ones at a truly special time, businesses I’ve collaborated with or met for coffee, babies I’ve had the joy of cuddling and colleagues who have provided invaluable support 💕🔔🎄

I absolutely love this job and can’t wait to hear how the first Christmas’s of those I’ve supported this year have gone (and the second to those of last year!)

As always I do love to hear updates!

Can’t wait for 2026 and all the joy it should bring 🩵

Best wishes

Rachel

06/12/2025

🫖 Brewing an addition to our family 👶🏽

Due March 2026 ✨

In my job it’s been incredibly hard to turn work away because it comes with such an emotional pull but I am having a little break and will be seeing less private clients between now and March because … I’m quite frankly exhausted 🤪 and still work in the NHS.

I appreciate all the word of mouth referrals I get especially via this instagram, I’ll be accepting referrals from the end of November again but on more of an adhoc basis.

Sending love and thanks for the patience and love we’ve received with our pregnancy journeys over the last few years 🙏🏼

05/10/2025

Reduced stooling 💩

A really common issue that babies are sent to the GP for with daily and often parents get very concerned about constipation. Often health care professionals focus more on tactics to help encourage a stubborn poo to come out rather than focussing on more milk intake going in. It is very rare for a breastfed baby to get ‘constipated’.

Gut transitions mean that often they reduce stooling after 6 weeks but ideally should still be regular daily.

Formula can slow down the gut and reduce stooling volume and create more pasty looking poos.

Seek out local support if you are concerned about your newborns bowel habits!