I am 56 years old and live in Putney, London with my husband David. We have 2 children aged 28 & 26.
I have been working as a private breast-feeding specialist for over 22 years and have acquired more knowledge about breastfeeding problems during this time than I ever learnt in a hospital set-up when I was a practising midwife. I attribute this to the fact that there is no better experience to gained than seeing the same problems on a daily basis and being expected to sort them out. I cannot simply pass the buck and hope that the issue will resolve itself over time.
However, I do not claim to sort all the breastfeeding problems I come across. For example, I see many mothers who do not have enough milk; their babies are crying, feeding for hours on end and not gaining weight. These mothers have followed to the letter advice given to them by breastfeeding counsellors, midwives etc. (often for several weeks) and yet still their supply is low. Sometimes slightly different advice from me makes a huge difference, but often it doesn't. It therefore seems logical to conclude that if neither the baby nor a breast pump can get enough milk out of his mother's breast to enable him to settle and gain weight, supplementing with formula milk is the only option.
My advice also differs in many aspects from the standard advice that is given to most mothers. This is because I believe that many breastfeeding problems stem from the way mothers are currently taught to feed their baby. I do not believe in latching a baby on by lining him up 'nose-to-nipple' (I think it should be 'mouth-to-nipple'), nor do I believe that a baby should be fed totally on demand, without any attempt being made to establish a regular feeding and sleeping pattern. My latching technique etc. is demonstrated in my DVD "Breastfeeding Without Tears" and is also described in my books.
All my clients have to come to me by word-of-mouth referral from their friends, GPs, midwives, obstetricians & paediatricians. When these referrals dry up, I will know that my advice is no longer helping and it is time to retire! I do not publish my contact details anywhere as I prefer my clients to seek me out because they have heard directly from their friends etc. that my advice and techniques really do work. I also get very booked up and do not need to tout for more clients.
Most of my clients also live in London but some travel from afar (eg.Yorkshire) when they have been unable to find suitable help locally.