As an IBCLC Lactation Consultant (Midwife & Naturopath), I can offer holistic support to common breastfeeding/feeding challenges such as;

Addressing causes of nipple pain

Weaning from a triple-feeding plan (breast, bottle, pumping)

Supporting confidence in your breastfeeding technique (latching)

Increasing milk supply through diet and galactagogues (substances that can increase milk production)

Managing a fast flow or fast letdown

Strategies to reduce fussing at the breast

Strategies to reduce breast refusal/ unsettled behaviour at the breast

Introducing bottle feeding / bottle refusal

Breast pump recommendations, fit, troubleshooting and advice

Helping you to recognise your baby’s cues and age-appropriate play advice

I use a holistic approach, assessing your breastfeeding technique, your baby’s developmental stage and needs, and use my naturopathy knowledge to enhance your physical and mental well-being. My expertise is best utilised within the first 16 weeks of your breastfeeding and feeding journey.

See the Services & Pricing for more information on Joelleen’s offerings.

This comes under Breastfeeding Planning, and can be booked in clinic or online. I generally recommend booking between 33-38 weeks of pregnancy.

We cover:
Breastfeeding goals
Address any fears/concerns
Help you understand your baby’s needs/cues
Hand expressing how and when
What products to consider, pumps, nipple care etc
Nutrition and supplements for milk supply and postpartum
Debriefing any previous challenges
What to do if things get hard

Many clients time this appointment with the start of their maternity leave, giving some mental and physical space to really drop in and connect to their breastfeeding journey.

Appointments open up online 8 weeks in advance.

During your first consultation, we will review your feeding journey and medical history to allow me to have a deeper understanding of where you and your baby are at. We will also discuss your goals and realities.

As a Lactation Consultant, I will review the health of your nipples, breasts and breastfeeding technique, including all of the furniture and equipment you are using. If you are expressing I can also review your pump to ensure everything is comfortable and efficient. I also offer support to parents who are bottle feeding.

As a Naturopath, I also discuss your diet (including any supplements and herbs) so we can support postpartum wellness. I am also able to provide specific recommendations for optimal nutritional content and supply of your breastmilk.

I also give support with settling, sleep, supporting digestion, and age-appropriate play. I find many mothers and families find this aspect of the consultation very helpful. We will discuss upcoming development milestones and what to expect beyond our consultation support window.

There is also time for any feeding-related and general baby questions to be asked.

After the consultation you will receive a notes via email (so you don’t have to take notes when I am present), with a curated list of resources & recommendations based on the needs of you and your baby. Some follow up email support is provided.

Please allow extra time for parking. If you are running late please know your appointment will still need to finish at its original end time.

Bring your baby, ideally ready to have a feed. Give a small snack if they are hungry prior to the appointment.
Bring your baby’s green book.
Bring any feeding equipment you usually use i.e. nipple shields, bottles, pumps, expressed breast milk, formula milk etc.
Bring in your baby bag; spare baby clothes, nappies, wipes, a travel change mat, burp cloths etc.
It can be helpful to prepare any questions for Joelleen ahead of time.

If possible I recommend having two devices signed in to the private call through the secure platform Google Meets. You will need a Google account if you don’t already have one.

Having a laptop and a mobile device can help with viewing angles needed for assessing and guiding your breastfeeding/feeding technique.
A support person is able to help with camera angles and provide you with an extra set of eyes, ears and hands.

Ensure your device/s are fully charged.

Have a list of questions/ points to discuss handy as time can go fast and it is easy to get distracted or forget. Have your baby with you (ideally ready to feed). And any other feeding equipment you may be using so this can be reviewed.

If you have other children, ideally have a carer for them if required, or some kind of entertainment to help keep them occupied during the consultation.

I have a Medicare Provider Number.

Depending on your eligibility, you may be entitled to a rebate for my services if you book with me during your pregnancy and/or within your baby’s first six weeks and six days of life.

If you wish to claim a Medicare rebate please request an additional paid invoice that Joelleen can supply.

Yes! If you have private health insurance you may be eligible for a rebate depending on your level of cover. It is best to contact your provider directly to see if Lactation Consultant or Midwife services are covered.

If you purchase the In-home or virtual package I am able to invoice you separately for each visit to maximise your claiming ability.

A select few funds may offer a rebate on a breast pump as this is a medical device/equipment. If this is the case, I am able to provide you with evidence of this being required in your care plan.

Currently, I have provider numbers with the following funds:

AHM
Bupa
CBHS
Defence Health Fund
GU Health
HCF
Medibank Private
NIB
Nurses & Midwives Health
Teachers Health Fund

If your fund is not listed, please contact them about a possible rebate for midwifery or lactation services. Naturopathy rebates are not currently offered in Australia.

I have been working with new mothers for over a decade as a Midwife in New Zealand and Australia, and have started my holistic private practice in 2021 servicing inner-city suburbs in Melbourne, Naarm. Lactation Consultancy was an organic step for me, as I have spent so much of my time as a midwife teaching mothers how to breastfeed comfortably and supporting parents to understand their baby’s cues.

During my time as a Midwife, I also added Naturopathy to my repertoire, as I have a passion for healthy living and supporting others to do the same. I believe in nurturing the mother so that she has a full cup in order to meet the demands of motherhood.

I love to learn, hence my long list of qualifications, and enjoy passing this information on to the families I support.

See more about me here

IBCLC is an acronym for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and is the official international credential for a Lactation Consultant.

When you are looking for a Lactation Consultant, make sure they have this qualification beside their name to ensure you are booking with a professional who is regulated by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. 

My IBCLC credential number is L-147385.

This is a great question and real concern for some parents, as baby’s are unpredictable!

We will do our best to get your baby feeding, and there is some flexibility within the timing of the appointment i.e. if baby is sleepy art the start we can do a breastfeed towards the end of the appointment.

I explore your concerns with a lot of questions and give comprehensive yet concise notes. I also provide some follow up support which is tailored to each client.

A client who had this exact situation said “I was booked with Joelleen for a consultation but unfortunately my newborn decided this was the best time to sleep! Joelleen was still able to help us make an assessment of what was happening through discussion and was very helpful with follow-up contact to check in on what we had discussed.”

Yes, I am a member of the following;

[ANTA] Australian Natural Therapist Association — 21025

[ANMF] Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation — 460279

[LCANZ] Lactation Consultants Australia & New Zealand — 1005

ABN 84 399 206 866