Nurse offers practical support to empower breastfeeding success

Most mothers begin by breastfeeding their babies – but just because it's natural doesn't make it easy. For new mums in need of support, it's a good idea to seek help early.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers a national helpline 1800 mum 2 mum and a free info kit.

Locally, practical help is at hand thanks to the founder of Nourish and Bloom Lactation.

Candice Bergner is a Registered Nurse and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who helps mums from Helensburgh to Kiama at all stages of their parenting journey, sharing advice on everything from attachment and positioning through to weaning and returning to work. 

"Feeding support is guided by you and what it is that you want to achieve – there is no right or wrong, just you and your baby and someone like me to cheer you on every step of the way to achieve those goals."

Thanks to Candice for taking the time to share her story. 

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a wife, a mum to 4, a registered nurse with qualifications in Child & Family Health and an IBCLC. I have many animals, including three Burmese cats and five chickens. I love gardening, very much trial and error, I plant what I like and hope that it grows. My favourite food is pasta, I wake up with coffee and my favourite cake is anything chocolate, cream and berries. My favourite place to visit is Tassie, I've lost track of how many times I've been there. 

What inspired you to start your own business?

The flexibility, raising four kids of my own allows me to work around them. I wanted to provide care and support to families of the Illawarra that I truly believe in. Lactation support extends far beyond just feeding your baby, I pride myself on supporting the family as a whole. This means practical and realistic support when you see me. I love building therapeutic relationships with my clients and getting to know them and their family and providing support to meet their goals.

Best part of your job?

The families, of course. I have loved getting to know all of my families and continue to speak or see some of them and watching their baby grow and develop into little people.

My passion is supporting and empowering women to trust their instincts and believe in the deep connection they have with their baby.

Providing this support in the home allows mums to feel most comfortable, access good quality, evidence-based and realistic feeding support, however that looks, and free of judgement. Feeding support is guided by you and what it is that you want to achieve – there is no right or wrong, just you and your baby and someone like me to cheer you on every step of the way to achieve those goals.

Most challenging?

From time to time, I get inundated with consult requests (I am so grateful) but sometimes that means I can't see mums and bubs as quickly as they need or I would like. In saying this, we have a number of amazing IBCLC's across the Illawarra and I will always encourage mums to reach out to someone else sooner if I can't see them in time. 

Where are your favourite places to recharge and relax?

• Any Illawarra beach, just to walk along the sand, the beach is such a grounding place for me. 
• The library, I'm not sure if it's the books, that it's quiet and peaceful or maybe the nostalgia of going their frequently as a child and the simplicity of borrowing a book. 
• The nursery – especially if it has a cafe. Sunrise in Helensburgh, Burnett's on Barney in Kiama are my go-to. I can never have too many plants. 

To contact Candice, reach out via 0494 640 774, nourishandbloomlactation@outlook.com, www.nabl.com.au.

For more support, visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association website.