Evidence-Based Lactation & Biological Sleep Support in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

Empowerment for your feeding and sleep journey without sleep training or rigid schedules. In-home and telehealth consults.

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Antenatal Preparation & Education

One-on-one preparation before baby arrives. Build confidence with personalised feeding preparation, realistic newborn expectations, and preventative strategies for high-risk or first-time journeys.

Breastfeeding & Lactation Care

Compassionate, expert IBCLC care for everyday feeding challenges. We assist with latch positioning, pain, milk supply concerns, infant oral assessments, and mastitis management.

Sleep Support
NDC (Possums)

Gentle, neuroprotective sleep support using the NDC (Possums) approach, helping you understand your baby's unique sleep needs while supporting your family's wellbeing through responsive, evidence-based care.

Welcoming a newborn into your family is a beautiful new chapter, but finding your balance can feel overwhelming.

At Balanced Lactation, we are here to walk alongside you with gentle, evidence-based guidance for both feeding and sleep - empowering you with the tools and confidence to help your family thrive.

Cara Collins
IBCLC, RN, NDC Accredited Practitioner

Cara Collins is the IBCLC and Registered Nurse behind Balanced Lactation. As a mother of three who navigated her own unique feeding challenges - including poor latch, mastitis, and infant allergies - Cara deeply understands the emotional and physical highs and lows of early parenthood.

With over 20 years of nursing experience, including 19 years specialising in Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Cara brings exceptional clinical knowledge and empathy to every family she supports. In addition to her qualification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Cara is accredited in Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC / the Possums approach). This dual expertise allows her to provide a truly holistic, evidence-based, personalised approach that unites expert lactation support with gentle, biological infant sleep and settledness care - completely free from sleep training or rigid schedules.

From complex preterm feeding journeys and oral assessments to gentle sleep strategies, milk supply management, and expressing plans, Cara creates achievable, customised care plans tailored to your family's unique goals. Through in-home visits across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie or virtual telehealth consults Australia-wide, Cara is dedicated to providing compassionate, non-judgmental guidance so you feel heard, validated, and empowered to thrive.

In-Home Care Across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

Supportive, evidence-based lactation and sleep consultations in the comfort of your own home - or via Telehealth

Living outside our local area? We can often travel to you for a small fee
Contact us before booking so we can arrange a time!

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Our Services

Antenatal consult

60-90 minute consult - $180

Our Antenatal Consult is an education session that provides expectant parents with valuable information about their breastfeeding journey. This includes individualised goals, development of a breastfeeding plan, and what to expect during this important time. It's ideal for first-time parents, high-risk pregnancies, or parents looking for a better breastfeeding experience than their previous journeys. At Balanced Lactation, we believe that preparation is the key to success, and our Antenatal Consult helps parents prepare for the arrival of their little one.

Postnatal consult

90 minute consult - $250

Our Postnatal Consult is a personalised, at-home or hospital visit aimed at assessing your unique breastfeeding situation and providing the support you need to achieve your goals. Our lactation consultant will work with you to troubleshoot any issues and find a balanced solution that works for you and your baby. Our services may include assessing your baby's latch and positioning, conducting infant oral assessments (such as tongue-tie assessments), helping to increase milk supply or manage oversupply, offering options to overcome slow weight gains, balancing mixed feeding options, and managing common issues such as mastitis, engorgement, and sore nipples. We'll also help you establish an expressing regime that suits your needs and lifestyle. At Balanced Lactation, we're committed to helping you enjoy a successful and stress-free breastfeeding journey.

Sleep consult

90 minute consult - $280

Our NDC Sleep Consult is a personalised, at-home or telehealth visit designed to help you navigate your baby's sleep and family well-being with confidence and ease. Guided by the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC / Possums) framework, we work alongside you to understand your baby's unique sleep needs and create an empowering, evidence-based plan. Rather than advocating sleep training or teaching 'self-settling strategies' and 'tired cues', we equip you with evidence-based information so you can confidently experiment and discover what works best for your unique family.

Combination packages

60-90 minute antenatal consult, 90 minute postnatal consult - $370

Our Combination Package offers a convenient and cost-effective way to access our prenatal and postnatal consultation services. When you book and pay for both appointments at the same time, you'll receive a discount. This package is designed to provide comprehensive support for your breastfeeding journey, from preparing for your new arrival to troubleshooting any issues that arise after your baby is born. With our personalised care and expert guidance, you can feel confident and prepared to enjoy a successful and stress-free breastfeeding experience.

60-120 minute antenatal consult, 90-120 minute postnatal consult - $650 - Includes Sleep consult

this one includes sleep!

Follow up appointments

60 minute consult - $180
Our Follow-Up Appointments offer continued support for your breastfeeding journey. These appointments can be conducted face-to-face, through telehealth, or as a home visit, depending on your needs and preferences. They are available after your initial consultation and are designed to help you troubleshoot any issues, monitor your progress, and fine-tune your breastfeeding plan as needed. Our lactation consultant will work with you to ensure that you have the ongoing support you need to achieve your breastfeeding goals. At Balanced Lactation, we're committed to providing personalised care that meets your unique needs and helps you enjoy a successful and fulfilling breastfeeding journey.

Bereavement appointment

Our Bereavement Appointment offers compassionate support and care in the tragic event of infant loss. If you require breast care management advice during this difficult time, we provide a free consultation via telehealth, phone call, or home visit. This service is not available through our online booking system, so please contact us directly by phone or email to arrange or discuss this appointment. Our lactation consultant understands the sensitive and emotional nature of this situation and is committed to providing you with gentle and respectful care. At Balanced Lactation, we are here to support you during every step of your breastfeeding journey, and we are honored to offer this service to families in need.

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates are available for all of our lactation and sleep consultations. Vouchers can be purchased for a full service or for any custom amount to contribute toward a consult.

To purchase a gift certificate, please contact us directly by email or phone, and we will tailor a voucher for your family or loved one.

Balanced Lactation acknowledges that we operate on the grounds of the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples.

We pay our respects all Elders - past, present, and emerging, and recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing relationship with the land, and that they are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of continuing dispossession.