Gentle Nurturing is Leslye Adelman, and Leslye Adelman is a horrible person.
Short version:
-did not follow through on her promises from day one
-yelled at me and HUNG UP ON ME the first/only time I called her
-charges $10 for her breastfeeding support group at A Mother's Haven...there are excellent FREE ones available in the area, trust me
-is NOT worth your time or money.
Long version:
Last Friday, my doctor started me on antibiotics for a case of mastitis. I was shaking uncontrollably with a temperature of 101.2, was aching from head to toe, and was generally just miserable. By Sunday the temperature and body aches were gone, but the lump in my breast had grown to the size of a golf ball, and I was having terrible pain with just moving side to side. I called my doctor and she told me that I had one day to aggressively try and break up the clot, otherwise I would have to be admitted for IV antibiotics and a breast surgery consult. Of course this was upsetting. I started to follow her instructions, taking hot showers and kneading the lump, which was excruciating. I decided to call Leslye and see if she was available for a home consult, to offer her expertise and at least tell me if I was doing things correctly.
Now, here I have to tell you that at both of my previous consults with Leslye, at our pediatrician's office, she told me that she was available via phone or text, 24/7, and that if I had any questions I could contact her. I texted her once, just after our first consult, because she was supposed to email us a list of baby apps she recommended. She never replied to that text, nor did she ever send us the promised email. That was over 3 weeks ago.
On this day, Sunday, I called the first number she gave me, but there was no answer, so I left a voicemail. Then I decided to try the second number. I was in agony, exhausted, and desperate. The second number rang, then suddenly Leslye picks up and says, "STOP CALLING ME", then immediately hangs up. I was dumbfounded. I hadn't been harassing her...far from it. For a brief second I thought perhaps she thought it was someone else, so I sent a quick text message saying as much, as well as identifying myself and letting her know I needed her lactation expertise. Her phone sends "read receipts", so I saw that she promptly read the message, but I received no response, nor a call back.
As I said, I was in pain, hadn't been able to rest because I was constantly showering, massaging, or pumping, and was completely terrified that I might end up back in the hospital. When Leslye hung up on me, I just started bawling. I certainly had NOT been calling her excessively....this was my first time! And at a time when I really truly needed her, her response was "STOP CALLING ME".
I have already found another lactation consultant, and let me tell you, the difference is astounding. There are enough great LCs out there that you DO NOT need to suffer through dealing with Leslye Adelman. My husband and I are so absolutely turned off by her behavior that we have even reconsidered taking classes at A Mother's Haven, where she also does some work.
Parenthood and breastfeeding is already so stressful and exhausting. Please listen to me and don't add more stress to your life...avoid this woman. read more