Lactation Consultant of the Year

Our 2011 Lactation Consultant of the Year was Catriona McCarthy. Here is her story:

Nominated by her patient, Jacinta Carty, Catriona McCarthy is a former nurse and midwife who now provides expert guidance as a lactation consultant. Catriona supported Jacinta through breastfeeding her second child after Jacinta encountered several issues while attempting to breastfeed her first child, who she was subsequently unable to breastfeed. Wanting to experience breastfeeding with her second child, Jacinta contacted Catriona before the birth to seek support and guidance for when baby came along. According to Jacinta, working with Catriona in the comfort of her own home provided her with “so much confidence to try breastfeeding again.”

In addition to this, Jacinta found Catriona to not only be invaluable in her encouragement and guidance, but she was also concerned and empathetic towards her general wellbeing. “I ended up having a Caeserean section and had very severe anaemia and Catriona would reqularly check-in with me.”

Jacinta admits that there was never a time when she considered giving up breastfeeding her second child, and she wholly attributes this to Catriona “mentally and physically preparing me for what was ahead.” Jacinta added, “I really can’t say enough positive comments about Catriona.”