Catherine Louise IBCLC

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Catherine Louise IBCLC

Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Baby Massage Instructor (IAIM) 12+ years experience as a Neonatal Nurse

Catherine Louise IBCLC | CIMI
Nurturing New Beginnings

IBCLC Lactation Consultant
IAIM Baby Massage Instructor

Berkshire/Hampshire/Surrey

16/06/2026

"Baby isn't gaining enough weight, so we've been told to top up."

This is one of the most common conversations I have with families.

Sometimes top-ups are absolutely necessary.

But if breastfeeding is your goal, it's important to understand why weight gain is slow in the first place.

A baby's latch, positioning and feeding effectiveness can affect both milk transfer and milk supply.

Weight checks tell us there is a problem.

A feeding assessment can help us understand why.

Have you ever had someone watch a full breastfeed? 💛

15/06/2026

Many parents contact me thinking they're the only ones experiencing these challenges.

The truth is, these are some of the most common reasons families reach out for breastfeeding support:

1. Painful breastfeeding

2. Worries about milk supply

3. Baby not gaining enough weight

4. Baby refusing to latch

5. Baby slipping off or coming off the breast during feeds

Whilst every feeding journey is unique, many concerns can be improved with the right support, reassurance and practical guidance.

If feeding doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and seek support early. You don't have to struggle through it alone or give up.

Get in touch to find out how I can help. Link in bio 💛

12/02/2026

✨ A Little February Kindness ✨

In honour of Random Acts of Kindness Day on Tuesday 17th February, I’m gifting ONE FREE postnatal breastfeeding consultation 🤱💛

You may be in need of support right now…

Or you might know someone who is.

Whether it’s early feeding worries, latch concerns, pain or low confidence - no one should feel alone in their feeding journey.

💛 To enter:

✅ Follow my page

✅ Like this post

✅ Share to your stories

✅ Tag someone who may benefit (you’re welcome to tag yourself too!)

📍 This consultation is available locally only (15 mile radius of Bracknell, Berkshire)

🎉 Winner chosen at random and announced on Saturday 28th February

Because nurturing new beginnings starts with feeling supported 💛

15/03/2025

💛 This first one is really important ⚠️ Ensure the fl**ge size is a correct fit.
A fl**ge size that is too big draws the ar**la into the pump, causes the ni**le to swell and does not stimulate the correct part of the breast to effectively draw the milk out. Pumps are commonly supplied with one size, usually 24mm, which is quite often too big (or too small!). Each breast may need a different size too!

💛 Before pumping gently massage the breasts for a few minutes to encourage milk flow.

💛 Being near your baby while pumping can trigger the release of oxytocin, the hormone crucial for milk flow and may even increase production.

💛 Breast compressions may help stimulate additional letdowns, which helps you get more breast milk when you pump.

💛 Expressing from both breasts at the same time can save you time and may help to increase milk supply.

💛 If you still need support with pumping you can get support from a lactation consultant through

14/03/2025

So how can you encourage the body's amazing oxytocin system?

🤗 Closeness, cuddles, touch, skin to skin

😍 Eye contact

🤱 Breastfeeding

🚶‍♀️ Exercise

🎶 Listening to music

13/03/2025

Watch your baby as they are feeding - it will tell you much more about how effectively they're feeding than the clock will!

1.Your baby will start off with a short period of rapid sucks - this is baby’s way to release oxytocin and encourage milk to begin flowing, known as the 'let down'.

2. They will then move into a deeper, more rhythmical pattern of feeding: you'll notice a suck-swallow or suck-suck-swallow. Look for their jaw and chin dropping down and they may pause before continuing. You will often hear swallowing and/or gulping at this stage.

3. Bursts of 'flutter' sucking occur towards the end of the feed, when the milk is fattier and the flow is slower before they become sleepy or spontaneously come off and you can offer the second breast.

With good positioning and attachment your baby should spend most of the time in stage 2 - this is when the highest volume of milk is being taken in.

You will see a similar feeding pattern on the second breast, although the active feeding section is often a little shorter.

Cluster feeding - your baby may want a third or fourth feed - keep offering the breast and eventually they will settle.

If you found this helpful share your thoughts below 👇...

27/04/2024

This is why we do what we do... 💛

29/01/2024

Vs REALITY - New babies have a strong need to be close to their parentshelping them to feel secure and loved.

Holding your baby when they are crying helps them to feel loved and secure, even if they don’t stop crying straight
away. Research shows that babies who are responded to in this way
grow into more confident toddlers who are better able to deal with being
away from their parents temporarily, rather than becoming clingy and
spoilt.

When babies feel secure, they
release a hormone called oxytocin. This acts like a fertiliser for their developing brain, helping them to be happy babies and more confident
children and adults.

Holding, smiling and talking to your baby also releases oxytocin in you, which helps you to feel calm and happy.

Address

Fleet
RG42

Telephone

+447554007150

Website

http://www.catherinelouise.co.uk/

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