Breastfeeding Support Service

At Mater Mothers we are pleased to offer lactation and breastfeeding support services to our families. We're here to support you throughout your breastfeeding experience.

Our breastfeeding support service is a specialist service within Mater Mothers’ Private Townsville, available during your stay and as a support for you after you return home. The service is managed by qualified lactation consultants who are experienced in caring for newborn, preterm and special needs babies, up to the age of six months. 
 

Support during pregnancy

Individual consultations with a lactation consultant to discuss breastfeeding difficulties can be arranged, if required.

Antenatal breastfeeding classes are held on the first Wednesday of each month, starting at 10 am at Mater Mothers’ Private Townsville. The classes provide in-depth education on breastfeeding positioning and attachment, and what to expect during the first few days in hospital. The classes help build confidence to begin the breastfeeding journey when your baby arrives.
 

Mater Mothers’ Private Townsville antenatal high-risk support

This group clinic if offered on a monthly basis to discuss issues such as how to express prior to delivery, nipple shields if appropriate, expressing with a breast pump and many more. This class is available to mothers’ with high risk indicators, including:

  • previous poor breastfeeding history
  • complex history
  • history of breast surgery
  • diabetes
  • flat or inverted nipples
  • babies known to have cleft palate/lip prior to birth.
     

Support after the birth of your baby

The experienced midwives caring for you and your baby are able to provide you with breastfeeding information, assistance and support.

Breastfeeding information sessions and group feeding clinics are held by lactation consultants from Monday to Saturday, in the postnatal units. Please ask your midwife or nurse to direct you to the venue closest to you. Individual consultations are available for complex breastfeeding problems.
 

Following discharge

If you require further assistance once you are at home, please contact our team for an individual appointment for breastfeeding issues and concerns with one of our specialists.

Group education sessions on breastfeeding positioning and attachment are also available after the birth of your baby. This is a relaxed session with mothers, their babies and support persons, where any questions and concerns can be addressed.
 

Important details

Lactation services are available free of charge to all Mater, Medicare eligible families. When you visit the support centre, please bring your baby’s Personal Health Record book.
 

Contact us

For further information, or to arrange an appointment, please contact lactation services on 07 4722 8866.
 

Support after hours

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) offers breastfeeding counselling services. The ABA breastfeeding counsellors are all trained volunteers who have breastfed for at least nine months and undertaken the ABA breastfeeding counsellor training course. They provide counselling and breastfeeding information to anyone seeking help.

ABA counsellors can be contacted on 1800 686 268 or you can visit their website, www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Please note, ABA counsellors are not medically trained, therefore cannot give medical advice, only breastfeeding management support information.

If you are concerned about you or your baby's health please call 000 (triple zero) in an emergency or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)—qualified staff will provide advice and further support.

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For urgent assessment at any stage of your pregnancy, please present to your nearest emergency centre or Mater Mothers’ 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre in South Brisbane.

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