World Breastfeeding Week: The Power of Personalised Support
As we mark World Breastfeeding Week, we're shining a light on the work of the San's lactation consultant team and the difference they make for families every day.
We sat down with San lactation consultant Leah Roberts and mum of three Nicola to talk about the power of personalised support, continuity of care and why having the right people in your corner can make all the difference during a family's breastfeeding journey.
For Nicola, choosing to have her three babies at Sydney Adventist Hospital wasn't simply about where they would be born, it was about knowing the right support would be there long after delivery.
"We actually drive past two other hospitals to get here," Nicola says.
“We chose to have our first at the San because of the Swaddle program, but even after that ended, it was the lactation consultant service that kept us coming back."
As we mark World Breastfeeding Week, Nicola's story is a reminder that while 96 per cent of mothers start breastfeeding, many need support to continue, with only around one-third still exclusively breastfeeding at six months.
At the San, families have access to a dedicated team of lactation consultants who provide antenatal education, bedside support after birth and outpatient care during the critical first six weeks at home.
"There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to feeding babies. By addressing concerns early and tailoring our support to each family's goals and circumstances, we can help build confidence and prevent small challenges from becoming bigger ones,” says Leah Roberts, one of the San’s lactation consultants.
Nicola and her husband Dan are parents to three San babies: a five-year-old, a three-year-old and an 11-week-old. Although each child brought different feeding challenges, the San's lactation consultant team remained a constant source of support.
"When you come back, you're seeing the same people. They're not changing the plan you went home with, but they're also not expecting one plan to work forever. They break it down into manageable steps, check in regularly and adjust things as your baby's needs change. It always feels like we're on the same team,” Nicola says.
Leah says it’s important that the relationship evolves alongside each family’s journey.
"With Nicola, we started by focusing on the fundamentals: positioning, attachment, understanding feeding cues and building confidence. By the time her third baby arrived, our conversations were about adapting feeding strategies to suit a busy family, each baby's individual personality and the changing needs of a growing family,” she says.
Having a trusted team who already knew her family's goals made all the difference for Nicola, particularly as life became busier with three young children.
“If we hadn't had people like Leah advocating for us and helping us problem solve, I don't think we would have continued breastfeeding with our third,” says Nicola.
"You often leave medical appointments feeling deflated and discouraged, but you always leave Leah’s office feeling empowered, like you have a plan and everything is going to be okay.”
For Leah, supporting families through those early weeks and watching them return as their families grow is one of the most rewarding parts of the role.
"It is an incredible privilege. Whether it's helping a mother achieve a comfortable latch, supporting a family through a difficult challenge or simply giving parents the confidence to trust their instincts, knowing we've played a small part in helping them start their parenting journey with confidence is incredibly rewarding,” Leah says.
This World Breastfeeding Week, Leah is encouraging new mums to be kind to themselves.
"Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both you and your baby, and it's completely normal for it to take time. Asking for support is a sign of strength, not failure.”
Nicola's message to new mums is simple:
"Find the right support and people to have in your corner. You don't need to buy all the things, just find the right people."
