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What Is The Thompson Method?

breastfeeding tips preparing to breastfeed the first breastfeed
Breastfeeding Baby | The Thompson Method

The Thompson Method is a gentle, evidence based method towards a gentle birth and pain-free breastfeeding experience. It was created by Dr Robyn Thompson, a midwife with over 50 years experience who was awarded a PhD for her research into why so many women were being discharged from hospital with painful nipple trauma and other breastfeeding complications such as engorgement & mastitis.

Dr Robyn
Pic: Dr Robyn Thompson observing a breastfeed.

Ever wondered why some women can breastfeed and others just seem to struggle?

Consider this…

Most women plan to give birth in the hospital system.

96% of these women start breastfeeding.

Sadly only 15.6% are still breastfeeding at 5 months.

Less than the World Health Organisation recommended 6 months.

Most of the Western World have similar outcomes. 

Why is this so?
 
► Time constraints and rapid processing of women giving birth
 
► Conflicting and confusing information creating overwhelm
 
► Forceful breastfeeding techniques closely associated with nipple pain

Forceful Breastfeeding
Pic: Forceful Breastfeeding Techniques

The Thompson Method challenges the forceful breastfeeding techniques, linked with painful nipple trauma, that are commonly taught in most hospitals.

It’s for ALL women who want to breastfeed, but particularly those giving birth in the hospital system because it offers a gentle alternative to help women AVOID the most common and painful breastfeeding complications.
 

The Thompson Method is more than just a technique on how to get a good latch...

 

It is that, but it’s so much more....

It’s having the knowledge to understand that what happens during your labour and birth will greatly influence your breastfeeding journey.

It’s understanding how breast milk is produced so that you have the confidence to trust that your breasts will nourish your baby without fear of low supply.  

It’s about being empowered to feel that you are in control of your labour, birth and breastfeeding experience. 

It’s the awareness that nipple shields, bottles, teats and dummies (pacifiers) will also impact on your breastfeeding journey.  

And at the very foundation of this gentle, evidence based method is a very powerful belief...

A belief that every woman and her baby is unique.

It’s a belief that every baby will be born in its own time; not at the convenience of hospital policy.

It’s an understanding of the importance of the first breastfeed and that routine procedures should not interrupt or delay this precious time between a mother and her baby.

It’s having respect for the strength of one woman to give birth to her baby, with full support of how incredible both she and her baby are.

When you adopt The Thompson Method along with the thousands of women who’ve also embraced this method to give birth to and breastfeed their babies, you will reduce the risk of common complications such as nipple trauma, breast engorgement and mastitis.

You will also increase the likelihood of being able to bond with your baby and breastfeed pain-free for as long as you choose.

Breastfeeding Baby


Is The Thompson Method evidence based?

The Thompson Method is based on the sharing of outcomes of Dr Robyn Thompson's PhD Breastfeeding Research.

Dr Robyn (at the age of 78) has worked alongside thousands of women experiencing a wide range of breastfeeding complications (within hours or days of being discharged from hospital).

And it was these women who inspired her to research the WHY.

Why were women being discharged from hospital presenting with complications in the early postnatal period?

The Thompson Method  helps women fully prepare you for their breastfeeding journey, gives women the tools to know how to best manage breastfeeding when they arrive home, provide information on how to quickly overcome pain if one  starts to feel it and much, much more. 

Breastfeeding Methods

Breastfeeding should be a choice, but for many, it is not.

When a woman breastfeeds without complication, she is in a position to choose whether she breastfeeds her baby and for how long.
 
However, most women give birth to their babies in hospital with many experiencing common breastfeeding complications such as nipple trauma, breast engorgement and mastitis in the early postnatal period.
 
These complications increase the likelihood of further complications such as low milk volume, often leaving women feeling as though they have no choice but to give up breastfeeding.
 
Our aim is educate women in pregnancy so that they understand that the decisions made during labour and birth greatly influence breastfeeding.
 
Hospital policies have become problematic in relation to the natural transition from a woman’s labour, the birth of her baby, to breastfeeding.
 
The demand to rapidly process women in, through and out of hospital with early discharge, increases the risk of intervention, often leading to abdominal surgery (C-Section) and other medical procedures, which often lead to cascading interventions.

There is no doubt that breast milk provides significant health outcomes for a baby’s development. However, forceful techniques, taught in the hospital system and are statistically significant in relation to painful breastfeeding complications.
 
Nipple trauma, breast engorgement, mastitis, low milk volume, failure to thrive and the case of the sleepy baby (due to opiate pain relief via epidurals, general anaesthetic) all inhibit a woman’s ability to breastfeed her baby.
 
These are big problems, but they are solvable….. through education.
 

A message from Dr Robyn Thompson

As an experienced nipple trauma expert with over 50 years of experience as a midwife, I’ve witnessed the extreme stress mothers can go through when they experience common breastfeeding complications.
 
Nipple pain, mastitis, low milk supply, and latching issues are usually the result of a lack of breastfeeding preparation and the use of forceful breastfeeding techniques.

Here’s the thing. The hospital system isn’t designed to be in your best interest. It’s designed for time efficiency.
 
This push for time efficiency often means your 3 Golden Hours are likely to be interrupted by routine hospital procedures that can and should wait.



What are the “3 Golden Hours”?

The 3 Golden Hours refer to the immediate hours after a mother gives birth. It’s so important that mothers are given these 3 hours to breastfeed their baby and form that immediate bond. Which makes a lot of sense, right?
 
So why does the hospital system often interrupt a mother and those 3 important hours with her newborn?
 
At the end of the day, hospitals are businesses, they want you in and out as quickly as possible for efficiency.
 
That means routine hospital procedures like injections, which don’t need to be done immediately after birth, disrupt these 3 precious hours.
 
The big issue with this is that it delays the first breastfeed when it’s best for the baby to feed soon after they’re born.
 
When the first breastfeed is disrupted, it increases the risk of complications down the track.
 
Listening to the many similar stories of women who were denied their 3 Golden Hours and went on to experience painful nipple trauma, is what encouraged me to complete my PhD research.
 
During my PhD research, I developed a gentle breastfeeding approach that significantly reduced the risk of nipple pain, low milk supply & latching issues.
 
Now, I’m hoping to share my gentle, evidence-based breastfeeding method with women all over the world in hopes of increasing breastfeeding rates.

Breasfeeding in the hospital


How to Breastfeed Pain-Free

If you are planning, expecting a child and you want to breastfeed, there are a few simple
 steps you can take to help you have a pain-free breastfeeding experience.

In my Gentle Guide Towards Pain-Free Breastfeeding, you’ll discover evidence-based information that will help you breastfeed your baby without pain from the very beginning.

You can grab it right here >> http://bit.ly/GentleGuide

Inside, you'll learn...

✅ A GENTLE approach that does not involve forcing your baby to your breast, leaving you in pain, causing nipple damage, or any of the usual ‘breastfeeding tricks’ that you've heard over and over in free Facebook groups.

✅ How to avoid painful nipple damage…. The secret is to avoid the forceful techniques commonly taught in hospital and by many health professionals. This method will work if you're a first time mum or even if you’ve tried to breastfeed previous babies.

✅ The simplest way to prepare for a pain-free breastfeeding journey. [Hint - it’s all about the first 72 hours]

✅ Gentle positioning that empowers you to trust your natural motherly instincts and recognize your baby’s communication cues.

✅ How to establish your milk supply from the first breastfeed, without taking supplements, drinks or cookies

✅ How to feel more confident and well informed as you embark on your breastfeeding journey. And so much more...

Click here to download your copy instantly >> http://bit.ly/GentleGuide

 


 

Dr Robyn Thompson awarded Honorary Appointment by CDU

Dr Robyn Thompson 

Dr Robyn Thompson, founder of the Thompson Method of gentle breastfeeding, has been appointed Adjunct Associate Professor with the College of Nursing and Midwifery at Charles Darwin University (CDU).

The honorary role was awarded to Dr Thompson by the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, an initiative of CDU, in recognition of her breastfeeding research, midwifery and maternal, child health and continuing breastfeeding consultant experience.

With more than 50 years’ experience in the field, and a PhD, Dr Thompson’s thirst for knowledge hasn’t waned.

“My need to know why so many women are discharged from hospitals with breastfeeding complications continues,” she says.

“Especially when I didn’t see these complications over 25 years of birthing at home with women.”

Dr Thompson’s goal is to play a key role in doubling world breastfeeding rates through education.

The first step is the introduction of the Thompson Method as standard education for the next generation of midwives and maternal health professionals – a goal she has firmly In her sights.

“I have a responsibility to my profession to share my knowledge and experience. I love connecting and assisting with education and mentoring the new generation of midwifery and maternal, child health professionals.

“I’m hoping that this will gradually create an improved opportunity to genuinely be with and listen carefully to what women are saying.


 

Learn more how you can be fully prepared and confident about your birth and breastfeeding journey with The Thompson Method...


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The Thompson Method provides evidence-based education, gentle guidance, and 24/7 support so women can breastfeed for as long as they choose—confidence-full and pain-free.

Get to Know Us
Our Mission
The Thompson Method
3 Golden Hours
Dr Robyn Thompson
Reviews

Breastfeeding Programs
For Pregnant Women
For Breastfeeding Women
For Health Professionals
1:1 Breastfeeding Consultation
Get Certified
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ift Vouchers

Other Resources
Breastfeeding Guide
Help Centre
Download App
Blog
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Need to speak to someone? Call Joanne Thompson on +61 419 315 948 or Private Message on Facebook.


Copyright © The Thompson Method. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy   |    Terms Of Use    |    Medical Disclaimer

Made with  🖤  by 4 Good  


The Thompson Method provides evidence-based education, gentle guidance, and 24/7 support so women can breastfeed for as long as they choose—confidence-full and pain-free.

Breastfeeding Programs
For Pregnant Women
For Breastfeeding Women
For Health Professionals
1:1 Breastfeeding Consultation
Get Certified
G
ift Vouchers

Get to Know Us
Our Mission
The Thompson Method
3 Golden Hours
Dr Robyn Thompson
Reviews

Other Resources
Breastfeeding Guide
Help Centre
Download App
Blog
Contact


Need to speak to someone? Call Joanne Thompson on +61 419 315 948 or Private Message on Facebook.


Copyright © The Thompson Method. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy   |    Terms Of Use    |    Medical Disclaimer

Made with  🖤  by 4 Good