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What do you need help with?
Antenatal breast assessment and education
Worried about breastfeeding, that it might hurt? Worried about your breast size, or had problems breastfeeding previous children? We'll make sure you're prepared, before baby arrives.
Breastfeeding assessment and consultation
We know that breastfeeding is natural but we also know that it is not always easy. I'll watch you feed, chat about your history, and help make breastfeeding work for you.
Postnatal midwifery and breastfeeding support
Feeling anxious as a new parent? Discharged from the hospital, with limited or no support? I'll walk alongside you during these early weeks so you'll feel empowered to trust your innate parenting instincts.
Infant reflux and colic
Does your baby cry a lot? Does your baby vomit and struggle with daily pain and discomfort? Are you feeling sick and tired because nobody listens? I'll listen to your story, look at mum's and baby's history, observe a feed and examine baby in order to establish the likely root cause of baby's distress. Together we will formulate a plan to help reduce your baby's symptoms and distress.
Let’s talk
Hi, I’m Narelle Crane
I'm a mum of 5 adult children, and a nana to 7 grandchildren under 7.
I am an Endorsed Midwife, Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Today's parents face difficulties and challenges when negotiating the current medical and obstetric system, where the “normal” care is often fragmented and very medicalized.
I will walk alongside, or abreast of you, through your pregnancy, early parenting and breastfeeding journey, sharing the knowledge and expertise that I have gained as a midwife and lactation consultant over the last 35 years.
I will give you evidence based information and education that will empower you to confidently make informed pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding choices so that you are more likely to give your baby a breast (best) start in life.
Session types
Post Natal Midwifery Care
Are you struggling as new parents? Are you unsure if baby is getting enough to eat or is baby's behaviour normal? Is mum feeling uncertain about the changes in her body since the birth. Do you worry if you are healing. Are your breasts and nipples sore? Are you feeling teary and wonder how you will cope going forward?
Do you feel let down by the hospital system because you are only able to access 1 or two in home Post Natal visits from a hospital based midwife?
Do you wish you could have in home support from an experienced Midwife and Lactation Consultant who will listen to your concerns, give you evidenced based information about parenting and breastfeeding which will lead to empowered, intuitive and resilient parents and a happy content infant.
Narelle Crane will provide Post natal Midwifery support in your own home until baby is 7 weeks old. The number of visits you receive are dependent on your individual needs and circumstances.
Some things that may be covered during the visits:
- Full maternal check including uterus, loss, stitches, breasts and nipples and maternal mood
- Information around breast changes and hormonal changes and what to expect over the coming weeks
- Full baby check and weight (if indicated) and developmental check
- Observation of a feed
- Strategies that parents may use to try to improve latch and positioning at the breast
- Discussion around normal infant development
- Coping strategies
- Hints and techniques to help settle your baby
Together we will formulate a detailed care plan for moving forward.
Referral to GP/Obstetrician/Paediatrician if there are any medical concerns.
Referral to local Child Health Nurse for ongoing follow up and immunizations.
Price: Initial consultation 1.5 - 2 hrs - $300.00 Follow up consultation: $140/hr. You may be entitled to claim a Medicare rebate for these visits - GP referral is required.
Infant Reflux and Colic Assessment
Does your baby cry or scream a lot? Is he struggling with daily pain and discomfort? Does he vomit or does he fight the breast or sometimes refuse to feed? Does he need to be carried most of the time and does he have trouble sleeping? Does he have rashes or allergies? Are you only sleeping a few hours each night?
Have you been told "It is just reflux and he'll grow out of it" or "It is normal". Have you been told "you are spoiling him by holding him all the time."
Are you feeling sick and tired because NO ONE LISTENS and you feel so alone!
I believe you when you say these things happen and I want to be able to help. I believe that Infant Colic and Reflux is not a disease in itself but is a symptom of something else. I want to help you find that "something else".
Getting to the root cause of the reflux/colic problem can be like working out a jigsaw - There are lots of interconnecting pieces and you need an overall picture to solve the puzzle.
I will take time to listen to your story. I will take a full history of the pregnancy, labour, birth and feeding journey to date. I will look at baby's history to date, observe a full feed, or two, and do a physical and oral examination. I will use all of this information to see the big picture and gain an understanding of the root cause or causes of the problem. It is only then can a solution to the problem be considered.
Together, we will formulate a plan to help reduce your baby's symptoms and distress. This care plan may include referrals to other health professionals.
After you make a booking, you will be sent a history and symptom questionnaire which will need to be completed prior to our appointment.
Price: $350 for initial 2 hour consultation. Follow up visits $140.00/hour.
The initial consult includes text and email support for 2 weeks: messages answered with an email or phone call within 3 hours between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm. Overnight messages will be answered by 9am the next morning.
Breastfeeding Assessment and Consultation
I will take time to listen to your concerns, take a detailed history of your medical, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding journey to date, and observe and assess a full breastfeed. I will carry out a physical and oral assessment on baby.
Then, I will use my 35 years of knowledge and skills as a midwife and Lactation Consultant to help find a solution to your problems.
As required or indicated, I will also do an assessment for post natal depression and/or refer you to other health professionals and/or discuss what other resources may be available for you.
Together we will work out solutions to your feeding challenges and formulate an individualized feeding plan that will leave you feeling confident and empowered.
Most people only need one visit, but additional consultations are available if you would like the extra support.
Price: $300 for an initial 1.5 - 2 hour consultation, $140/hour for subsequent consultations, less any Medicare rebates you may be entitled to in your baby's first 6 weeks 6 days.
Premium Postnatal care and support package
Over this 6 week period I will walk alongside of you to support, guide, nurture and encourage you as you, your partner and baby get to know each other and develop your family unit.
I will share my years of midwifery knowledge and lactation expertise to give you evidence based information about breastfeeding and parenting which will lead to empowered, intuitive and resilient parents with a happy content infant.
Usual schedule of visits: Total 6 visits and 8 hours of in home support with minimum time each visit 1 hour
- Week 1: 1 visit of 1.5 - 2 hours duration
- Week 2: 1 visit of 1 - 1.5 hours duration
- Week 3 to week 6: 4 further visits of 1 - 1.5 hours duration. Final visit must be prior to 6 weeks 6 days after birth
The first visit will be within 24 – 48 hrs of hospital discharge and be 1.5 – 2 hours in duration, and include a detailed history of your medical, pre pregnancy and pregnancy, labour and birth and breastfeeding history to date.
Here's some things we might cover during the visits:
- Full maternal check including uterus, loss, stitches, breasts and nipples and maternal mood
- Information around mothers breast changes and hormonal changes and what to expect over the coming weeks
- Full baby check and weight (if indicated) and developmental check
- Observation of a full feed
- Strategies that parents may try to improve latch and positioning at breast
- Discussion about normal infant feeding behaviour and feeding cues
- Discussion around normal infant development
- Coping strategies
- Hints and techniques to help settle your baby
Together we will formulate a detailed care plan for moving forward.
I will refer you back to your GP/Obstetrician/Paediatrician if there are any medical concerns. At 6 weeks I can refer you to the local Child Health Nurse for ongoing follow up and immunizations
The care package includes text and email support for 6 weeks: messages answered with an email or phone call within 3 hours between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm. Overnight messages will be answered by 9am the next morning.
Price: $1,100 (includes up to 6 visits and up to 8 hours in-home contact) You may be entitled to claim a Medicare rebate for these visits - GP referral is required. $500.00 to be paid upfront - Balance to be paid at rate of $75.00/hour
If more than 6 visits or greater than 8 hours of in home contact is required, follow up visits will be at rate of $130/hour.
Travel up to 30 km from Inala included in price. Travel over 30 km charged at $1.00/km.
Antenatal Education & Breast Assessment
Preparation, education and planning is the best way to get your breastfeeding journey off to a good start.
During this consultation I will listen to your needs and concerns and I will tailor the examinations, information and resources to meet your individual needs.
This consultation may include, as needed:
- A detailed history of your medical, pre pregnancy and pregnancy journey to date
- Previous breastfeeding experiences
- History of breast surgery – reduction or augmentation
- Flat or inverted nipples
- Examination of breasts and nipples
- Basic anatomy of the breast and how milk is made
- Simple explanation of the role of hormones in breastfeeding
- Discussion around “baby blues” and post natal depression
- The importance of the “Golden Hour” and immediate skin to skin
- Baby led attachment
- What to do if you are separated from the baby at birth
- Things you can do to improve breastfeeding success in case of Caesarean Section
- Normal infant behaviour especially in first week of life
- Changes in mother and baby in early weeks
- How to understand baby’s cues for food, comfort, love, attention and sleep
- How to know baby is getting enough milk
- How to tell that baby is attached well and drinking well
- Dealing with pain
- Sore nipples
- Prevention and management of engorgement, plugged ducts, mastitis
- Hand expressing and breast massage
- Antenatal collection of colostrum
- Not enough milk or too much milk
- Simple solutions to common problems
- Challenges you may face and how to manage them
- What to do if breastfeeding does not go to plan
- Support people and how they can help
- Realistic expectations of parenting
- Post natal supports and community groups
- Links and resources for further information
Price: $300 for initial 1.5 - 2 hour consultation. Subsequent education sessions if wanted $140/hr.