Let us help you get things back on track
I know firsthand just how difficult those early days, weeks and months with a baby can be.
My aim is to give you effective, evidence-based strategies so you can just get on with enjoying your baby.
If things aren’t going as planned, or if you just want to talk to someone who really gets it, we’re here for you.
We specialise in breastfeeding and infant feeding, sleep without sleep training, mental health, and assessment of unsettled babies.
Whether it’s reassurance and cheerleading, in-depth support, or anywhere in between, let’s work together to make things easier and more enjoyable for you and your whānau.
Initial Appointment
Follow Up Appointment
Parent Coaching
Initial appointments are 60 minutes, allowing us plenty of time to talk about your feeding, sleep, and parenting journey so far - what’s going well, what isn’t going well, and where you’re needing support.
What this appointment looks like with vary from whānau to whānau, based on your needs and anything that comes up during the consultation.
The first follow-up appointment is usually scheduled for 2-4 weeks after the initial appointment. It gives us an opportunity to talk about how things are going, cheering on your successes and layering in more support for you and your whānau where it’s needed.
For more complex situations, you may benefit from several follow-up appointments in the first few months to really get things on the right track.
After the initial consults, we can continue providing services for you throughout your parenting journey - whether this is through continued support from Dr Sophie, parent coaching and/or Circle of Security with Nicky; let us know how we can help support you.
Initial consults are $285 (incl GST)
This includes the consult time, prescriptions and ordering of lab tests if needed.
Follow-up appointments are $130 for 30 minutes or $260 for 60 minutes (incl GST)
See here for more information about parent coaching.
Examples of consultations
Antenatal
Prepare for the arrival of your baby - whether this is your first or fifth, we will talk about what to expect in the early days and weeks, and make a plan for dealing with common issues that may come up.
This is appropriate for first babies as well as subsequent pregnancies if things didn’t quite go as you wanted last time.
I can also support you to induce lactation if your partner is pregnant and you want to breastfeed, or you are planning adoption or whangai.
Fussiness
We know that most babies will cry. But some babies cry a lot more than others, and this is one of the hardest things that a parent of a young child will have to deal with.
We can work together to try and find the underlying cause of the excessive fussing/crying, and come up with strategies together to manage it.
Feeding
This is the place to discuss any and all feeding issues you may have, whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding - or any combination of these.
Common issues I see involve pain with feeding, babies who fuss a the breast, tongue ties, poor weight gain, spilling and/or reflux, concerns around milk supply, and potential allergies.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
If you are struggling… finding things harder than you expected, we can help.
Pre-existing or perinatal anxiety, depression, OCD, and other mental health conditions can make parenting a lot more challenging than it needs to be. We can help support your individual needs, help you navigate the health system, and discuss treatment strategies including medications if needed.
Sleep
Whether you’re having issues with day naps, bedtimes, or overnight waking, sleep deprivation and concerns about sleep are AWFUL.
While parents are often told either to suck it up or to sleep train, there is a middle ground: we can work on optimising sleep for you and your baby, so you can feel more rested while respecting your child’s normal biological sleep (and without leaving them to cry).
General Child Health
Both Dr Sophie and Nicky specialise in child health. We can see you & your tamariki for any health issue including Well Child checks, B4school checks, challenging behaviours, and more.
General practice focuses on whole-whānau care, integrating emotional needs with physical needs. We value being able to answer any and all questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are consultations held?
Consultations are currently available via Telehealth to anyone, no matter where you live in New Zealand.
Can I see you if I live out of the Nelson/Tasman region?
Yes! All of my consultations can be done via Telehealth throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, any investigations required can be done local to you, and I am able to send prescriptions to your local pharmacy.
Why don't you have any testimonials on your webiste?
I know the importance of hearing other people's experiences when it comes to choosing who to trust. So does the Medical Council, which is why doctors are not actually allowed to publish testimonials - see here for the official statement on advertising from the MCNZ.
When should I book an appointment?
The earlier the better - it's quicker and easier to make changes right at the start when things start to go pear-shaped, rather than waiting until things are at crisis point. I can absolutely still help at the crisis stage, but I recommend booking in as soon as you feel things could be better than they are now.
What do I need to have with me?
The main thing to bring is you and your baby, plus any support person you may need. If you bottle feed, please bring the gear you'd need for this as well. I am totally fine with toddlers and older children being with you during the consult as well.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! If you need to discuss payment plans for our services, please contact us at hello@babyclinic.co.nz