Lactation consultant at Pennine Acute Trust means more breastfeeding support for new mums

Jennifer Sager, lead midwife/infant feeding co-ordinator with new mum Nabeela Khan from Rochdale

New mums who choose to breastfeed their babies after having giving birth at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will now be supported by a lactation consultant.

Jennifer Sager, lead midwife/infant feeding co-ordinator has passed the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants’ examination.

Jennifer said: “The knowledge that I acquired during the course has already been directly applied in practice as I am able to give up-to-date evidence based information and support to women at our hospitals. I am also disseminating my new knowledge to the maternity staff at the Trust so that they in turn can help to support the mums and their babies to breastfeed at The Royal Oldham Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital. The course has given me the confidence to manage much more complex and difficult feeding issues in practice.

“Breastfeeding has been widely known as the best method to feed a baby due to the health benefits, not only for baby, but also for mum. If we can increase the number of breastfed babies and encourage mums to feed for six months, there will be lower neonatal hospital admission rates and less GP appointments for stomach and ear infections for babies and for the mothers, it can help reduce the breast cancer rate.”

New mum Nabeela Khan, from Rochdale, sought Jennifer’s help when she had a baby at North Manchester General Hospital.

She said: “I had a really bad night before Jen came to see me. My baby had been really unsettled and I was uncomfortable and really didn’t think that what I was doing was right. My nipples were sore and I didn’t feel that I was providing what I needed to for my baby.

"As soon as Jen came to see me and spoke to me about how the night had been and the feeding patterns of my baby, I felt miles better. She went through the importance of getting my baby in the right position before he feeds so he doesn’t cause me any pain and she went through the frequency of feeds and how he is comforted by just being with me.

"After that he fed beautifully. I could feed him without any support and didn’t worry that it was going to be painful. In fact now, I am really enjoying feeding him and spending this time with him. It’s our time.”

Midwife Maria Turner has also passed the examination to offer advice to new mums. Previously managing the post natal ward at Oldham, Maria is currently working as a rotational midwife within the maternity unit at The Royal Oldham Hospital and using her lactation skills on the maternity wards.

Cathy Trinick, head of midwifery at the Trust, said: “I am absolutely delighted for both Jen and Maria. The skills they bring to our maternity units will enable our midwives and support staff to support women breast feeding ensuring a positive experience. Successful completion of the course shows their absolute dedication to the mothers and babies of the Pennine foot print.”