Private IBCLC lactation consultant offering home visits in South East & Central London

Baby-Thrive is a private breastfeeding support service based in South London, founded by mum of two - Sally Rickard. I am here to support you through the early stages of motherhood.

Mother with brown hair holding baby son in striped knitted jumper
Sally Rickard speaking to a mother holding their baby

What Can I Offer as Part of My Services?

Breastfeeding is a rewarding and natural way to nourish and bond with your baby, but it can also be a complex and sometimes overwhelming experience. That's where I come in. With years of experience and a deep understanding of lactation and infant feeding, I am committed to empowering families to achieve their breastfeeding goals.

I can offer convenient home visits, providing a comfortable and familiar environment for you and your baby. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy as part of my breastfeeding support service:

Personalised Assessment

I will conduct a thorough evaluation of your breastfeeding experience, taking into account your baby's latch, positioning, and overall feeding patterns. This assessment will help me identify any potential issues and develop a tailored plan to address them.

Ongoing Support

Breastfeeding is a continuous learning process. I am here to support you every step of the way. From the initial consultation to follow-up visits, I will be by your side, providing guidance, encouragement and reassurance. I understand the importance of emotional support and will ensure that you feel heard, understood and empowered throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Individualised Care Plan

Based on your specific needs and goals, I will create a comprehensive care plan that includes practical strategies, techniques, and resources to optimise your breastfeeding journey. Whether you need assistance with increasing milk supply, managing breastfeeding discomfort, or introducing solid foods, I will provide you with the tools and knowledge to navigate these challenges successfully.

Troubleshooting and Problem-solving

Breastfeeding families encounter obstacles such as low milk supply, engorgement, nipple pain, or difficulties with latching. I have extensive experience in identifying and resolving these issues, offering effective strategies and guidance to overcome any hurdles that may arise.

Education and Empowerment

In addition to addressing immediate breastfeeding concerns, I am committed to sharing information and empowering you with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about your baby's feeding. I will share evidence-based information, practical tips, and resources to enhance your understanding of breastfeeding and promote a positive and fulfilling breastfeeding experience.

  • <autoplay speed=4></autoplay>"Sally offered us reassurance we were doing the best for our baby, as well as many options and alternatives. Almost 6 months in, I can say she was key in making our feeding journey as successful and enjoyable as possible"

    Raquel

  • "I can strongly recommend Sally - I was so stressed in the early days of breastfeeding with a host of issues and felt really let down by the lack of support. I contacted Sally and she did a home visit the next morning and really turned things around for me"

    Jane

  • "Our post partum consultation with Sally was so helpful. Sally was calm and supportive and the insights shared with us made a big difference in our breastfeeding journey. Sally was so gentle and very knowledgeable."

    Regina

  • "Her extensive knowledge and gentle, caring nature got me through the first few weeks feeding my daughter. I'm happy to say that I truly enjoy feeding her, thank you Sally for taking me through this journey, I couldn't have done it without you".

    Natasha

  • "Really wish I’d met Sally earlier. The practical advice she offered really helped to demystify breast feeding and offered a supportive space for me to figure out how to move forward. She was great at explaining things and backed up what she said with research".

    Emma

  • "Seeing Sally was some of the best money we spent when baby arrived. I saw Sally before birth… I left that session feeling very calm and clued up. Then when baby arrived Sally came over the morning after we left hospital to help us get a latch (as the hospital hadn't been able to help us), and also to assess and make a plan to resolve his tongue tie. We were so well supported all the way through, with ongoing advice, encouragement and helpful tips. I am now nearly 4 months into my breastfeeding journey and it's honestly been a joy."

    Isabelle

  • "Sally has been invaluable to our breastfeeding journey having helped us through numerous issues. Her breastfeeding cafe is a wonderful resource for local mums and the home visits we have had have helped us to continue breastfeeding far longer than I imagined possible"!

    Charlotte

  • "She was so kind and lovely, and really listened to me. She made me feel like I was doing a good job, which was everything I needed to hear after feeling like a such failure with the midwives, where I couldn’t stop crying at those constant weigh ins. I felt empowered and back in control thanks to her".

    Fiona

  • "Sally was a great help to our family and supported us with some challenges breastfeeding our twins. She is a great listener and very knowledgeable".

    Thomas

Read more Google Reviews here >
Lactation Consultant Sally Rickard with her family in London.

Welcome to Baby-Thrive

I’m Sally, a lactation consultant, maternity nurse and mother. After receiving breastfeeding support following the birth of my eldest son, I knew I wanted to learn more and help other new mums in a gentle, friendly way.

View fullsize Bookings are open for the next season of my Free/Donation breastfeeding support group at the lovely kin family welbeing studio Come and meet other nursing parents to share experience and pick up tips to make breastfeeding work for your family. We
View fullsize Are wondering about how to best understand&hellip; What are the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 6m? Where do you stand Negotiating with your employer? What are you looking for in a childcare best suited to supporting your breastfeeding? How? Wh
View fullsize Coming up in September; #breastfeedingsupport home visits in South &amp; Central London for babies &amp; toddlers of any age Breastfeeding cafe @kinwellbeing now booking - dates from now till Christmas Breastfeeding Cafe 13th September in collab
View fullsize August in pictures&hellip;. Misty Monterey Hilarious sea lions everywhere interrupting my sleep with their &ldquo;honking&rdquo; in Marina Del Rey Hours and hours spent watching my kids getting totally battered by the Surf in LA Family reunion
View fullsize 💚I love it when practitioners ask clients for feedback 💚I love a bit of data 💚I love a multi disciplinary team New Big thank you to Anj &amp; Amy at @sprintphysiolondon for making time to meet with me. Did you know that you can use ultrasou
View fullsize I offer home visits on evenings &amp; weekends and bank holidays. #hernehillmums #dulwichmums #WestNorwoodmums#SouthNorwoodmums#SoutheastLondonmums#SELondonmums#SouthLondonmums#Anerleymums
View fullsize Did you know my home visit is a 2 week package? Because many breastfeeding problems are multi-factorial, and because solutions take time. But also because I want to hear from families how they feel things are going: what is working, what is not? W
View fullsize How exiting my first article in print on paper! @junomagazine asked me to write a piece about continuing child-led breastfeeding if you return to paid work. My article is featured in the late summer edition #workingmums #childcare #workingmuml
View fullsize BBC News today shares experiences of mothers who describe their experiences of &ldquo;breastfeeding grief&rdquo; a concept born of research by @prof_amybrown The article states; Lisa Mandell from @ilcaworldwide the International Lactation Consul
View fullsize ⭐️Top tips if you&rsquo;re feeling little trepidatious about breastfeeding in public this summer 🧥Wearing a cardigan or draping a muslin over your shoulder (twist one corner through your bra strap at the shoulder) can create a shield to give you m
View fullsize Love checking in with families after I have visited them to see if things have improved! Do you know about Koala hold? It's a really stable and natural position for babies but rarely taught in antenatal classes.
View fullsize 🥇Facebook tells me a posted this 9yrs ago today 🤱🏽