While expecting our first baby my husband Stelios met at a work event Fred, Amanda’s former client. Fred spoke with great excitement about Amanda’s food and sleep programme. As a result of the programme his child was sleeping 10 hours straight during the night at just 6 months old.
We spoke to Amanda to see what would be the best programme for us and we eventually decided to proceed with the Breastfeeding programme.
I knew I wanted to exclusively breastfeed and had read relevant bibliography. Frankly, I thought that getting a consultation was not really necessary. I could not have been more wrong! In any case, I thought it would be good if Stelios would hear from a professional everything about breastfeeding. Until then, I had been telling him about the 4th trimester, the marathon nursing sessions etc. but it was hard to prepare for what was coming.
We started at 36 weeks with pre-birth consultation and colostrum expression. I gave birth in Greece and although there’s a 2-hour time difference the communication was effective and Amanda was flexible and made herself available even at the craziest hours that better fit our schedule.
Eventually I had an induced labour at 38.5 weeks. We touched base with Amanda just a few hours after delivery and were in constant touch for the following 2 weeks.
Breastfeeding did not come as naturally as I had imagined and without Amanda there was no chance I could make it.
Due to high levels of jaundice and Rh incompatibility, the baby was put under light lamps for 2 days and we were faced with high pressure from the clinic’s staff to give formula. At the same time, information and advice I received from the clinic on breastfeeding was contradictory and even wrong!
We eventually decided to allow formula at the clinic so that the baby could be released with no delays.
We spoke to Amanda several times a day during the following 2 weeks. As the baby was facing weight issues, she also made herself available some extra time after the 2 weeks programme and she kept checking on us for quite a while. All information I received from Amanda was correct, straightforward and gave answers to all my questions and problems. Amanda was encouraging and kept reminding me about the benefits of breastfeeding when I was ready to quit.
At 6 months, I am still breastfeeding with no problems. If it wasn’t for Amanda, I would have definitely quit.
Amanda’s consultation was above and beyond what we expected! She’s a great coach and we strongly recommend her programme.
With lots of love, Eleni, Stelios and little Filippos
