Breastfeeding

"Natural" is not always "Nice" or easy.
With 30 years' experience in supporting mothers with breastfeeding,
I will help you with your latching and breastfeeding challenges
, empowering you to feed your baby comfortably and correctly.

What is the issue?

Is milk just milk? Babies that are breastfed are not just fed- they are healthy. Breastmilk contains a wealth of cells, nutrients, enzymes and immunity that a developing child needs for optimal growth. Breastmilk is alive. A mothers body produces a milk that is superior. It's a known scientific fact that breastmilk is a species specific human made milk, especially designed for your baby's age, and nutritional need. The benefits of breastmilk are not just growth and nutritionally, but especially emotionally. Supporting a mother to optimally and successfully breastfeed her child is my passion and calling.

Why is this important?

The first day, week and month after a baby is born is the "golden" window of opportunity where breastfeeding is a make or break situation.

Preparing mothers during pregnancy towards breastfeeding is important. Research has shown that the biggest reason why a mother stops breastfeeding is:

Lack of support

When a breastfeeding mother doesn't get optimal support she might stop breastfeeding New mom needs support, correct advice and comfort during this important time. Support can come from partners, family, friends, doctors, and mothering groups. Optimal support makes breastfeeding work, empowering a mother that she is not alone.

Conflicting advice

Getting the correct breastfeeding advice can be confusing. A new mom hears a lot of different opinions. For example: my mother/sister/clinic sister/gyne/pediatrician said.. These mixed messages causes confusion and a feeling of being overwhelmed. This leads to discontinuation of breastfeeding.

When a mother stops breastfeeding because of painful nipples, thinks her milk is not enough or whatever the reason may be, leaves her with feelings of guilt, disappointment, failure and depression.

With decades of experience in supporting lactating mothers, I am your "GO TO PERSON". With solid evidence based knowledge and practices, I will help you to overcome your fears and challenges to breastfeed successfully.

My Services

Address

11A Bloemendal road, Rayton Bloemfontein

Phone

+ 27 82 820 2215

Email

info@sistervanessa.co.za

Contact Me

Breastfeeding Services

Ante natal consultation to prepare you towards breastfeeding your baby/babies at birth

Milk is not milk…. And a human baby needs species specific milk. Each mother’s milk is tailor made specifically for HER baby. As your belly grows and your baby’s birth date gets closer, the desire to hold your baby against your breast, grows with your belly. David says in the Bible in Psalm 22:9 "Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me hope and trust o the breasts of my mother." Being informed and prepared Ante Nataly empowers the mother to apply correct practices and succeed in breastfeeding during these important first hours and days after the baby’s birth.

Breastfeeding support in hospital

Post Natal Ward

Getting the FIRST LATCH CORRECT, is crucial to prevent painful and cracked nipples, engorged breasts and dehydration of the baby. I visit you on the day of your baby’s birth, to ensure correct attachment and positioning, as well as check your baby’s mouth for a possible lip- and or tongue tie.

Neonatal ICU

You baby is admitted in the NICU. As a specialist in premature and sick babies, I will support you emotionally as well as help you express milk for your baby to ensure mother infant bonding remains, although the two of you are separated.

Breastfeeding support at home

If you are struggling with breastfeeding at home, I do home visits. Evaluating and supporting you and your baby in the comfort of your own home, until the cessation of breastfeeding.

Donor breastmilk

Some mothers have excess breastmilk. If you want to donate some milk to the Donor. Breastmilk bank @ Pelenomi hospital, you can contact me. Your donated liquid gold is fed to very low birthweight pre term babies if their own mother is ill or has died at birth.

Post partum mother support groups

Research has shown that if a breastfeeding mother is supported, and feels part of a bigger tribe of woman that are breastfeeding their babies…her breastfeeding journey is more successful and her duration of breastfeeding is much longer. I will facilitate these bi-weekly group sessions.

Breastfeeding training

As a Master trainer in breastfeeding, I provide and 8 hr course in breastfeeding for Non-Medical staff working at hospitals as well as mothers that would like to run a breastfeeding mother support group. Health care workers can attend the 22 Hour WHO Mother Baby Friendly Health Initiative Course. This is an Internationally accredited 3 day theory course with one day practical training.

Breastfeeding Training

Breastfeeding Stories

I'm forever thankful to Vanessa for enabling me to breastfeed my twin boys. Her knowledge, support, love, and dedication made it all possible. Born at 36 weeks, our boys were in NICU. When they were ready to breastfeed, our smaller twin got jaundice and I couldn't do night feeds. Vanessa stood by us, guiding, supporting, and encouraging. She visited in NICU, sparking beautiful progress. After just one week, our twins left the hospital, exclusively breastfeeding and gaining double the weight. Vanessa, an experienced lactation consultant, is a must for any breastfeeding mother. Psalm 22:9: "You made me hope and trust on the breasts of my mother."

Some women are naturally adept at motherhood, while others struggle to find their groove. Tannie Vaness, a true magician, tunes into that rhythm effortlessly! I met her during Estherea's prenatal day, drawn to her boundless knowledge and contagious enthusiasm. Choosing her for my birthing team was a must. In labor's final moments, she appeared in her iconic "Bosom Buddies" shirt, instilling me with strength through touch and prayer. As I birthed Iris, Tannie Vaness cared for her Apgar score and engaged my husband in cutting the cord. She then expertly guided Iris to latch onto my breast, forming an impeccable connection. Her support continued for hours, as we marveled at our strong little nurser. Thanks to Tannie Vaness and the Estherea team, Iris enjoyed the best start in life—nurtured with love, faith, and the finest breastmilk. Eternal gratitude from the Renaud Family.

Since my days as a medical student, Sr. Vanessa has been a lifelong inspiration. For the past seven years, I've had the honor of closely collaborating with her in aiding mothers on their breastfeeding journeys. Sr. Vanessa's qualifications include neonatal ICU expertise, educating medical students, dieticians, and nurses, as well as working as a private breastfeeding consultant. Her wisdom continues to enlighten me. Sr. Vanessa staunchly promotes natural childbirth and breastfeeding. She firmly asserts that every breastfeeding challenge has a solution, a stance borne out in practical success stories. I've seen her help mothers re-establish breastfeeding against all odds. Her unyielding determination and motivating presence offer unwavering support to new parents navigating sleepless nights with breastfeeding infants. Sr. Vanessa's extensive medical background and decades of experience make her a highly recommended resource for breastfeeding assistance.

My baby was born prematurely and was taken to ICU. This was hard, as I dreamt of immediate skin on skin and breastfeeding after the birth which we could not do. In ICU he developed jaundice and had to get phototherapy. When we were discharged it was strongly advised we continue with phototherapy. This is when I contacted Estherea. Sr Vanessa Booysen came to my home and set it up, and helped me with a breastfeeding consultation. The biggest blessing of all is that this light therapy allows skin on skin while it is on! Therefore I could cuddle my baby as long as I wanted while the lights was on my baby's back. I could also breast feed while the light was on him.

Sister Vanessa played an integral role in my early motherhood and breastfeeding journey. She offered unwavering support when my baby and I struggled with breastfeeding and my little boy had neonatal jaundice. She identified my baby's lip tie and was persistent in her encouragement and home visits until my baby and I succeeded as a breastfeeding dyad. She never gave up on us. Sister Vanessa was, and remains, such a blessing in our lives and I highly recommend her services.

Sister Vanessa is amazing! From the get go you could see that she is very passionate about breastfeeding and she is very knowledgeable. If it wasn’t for her help, I would not have been able to breastfeed my singleton or now my twins.