About
My interest in breastfeeding support stemmed from my own experiences of breastfeeding my own four children. I had little support outside my own family and I gradually became aware of how little peer and specialist support there was available. Having breastfed my first two children I then started informally supporting other parents and then after I had my third son I chose to undertake an NHS peer supporter course. This course allowed me to give parents in the local community and on the postnatal ward support with breastfeeding.
I really enjoyed this training but I felt I needed to know more, so I decided to undertake the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) Breastfeeding Counsellor Course. Upon qualifying I set up a local breastfeeding support group which I facilitated on a weekly basis and I also started supporting families by taking calls on the National Breastfeeding Helpline. I am now part of the ABM breastfeeding counsellor marking team.
In 2016 I sat the IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) exam and passed it. I have therefore been offering this specialised level of support since I qualified.
My professional background is predominantly in Accident and Emergency Nursing, however I have also had various roles in the community too. I hold a BSc (hons) in Nursing and PG Dip in Advanced Clinical Practice which allowed me to work as a Nurse Practitioner within the NHS. I have also worked in the Health Visiting team.
In 2017 I also undertook training at University Hospital Southampton to assess and carry out tongue tie division. However, I opted not to perform tongue tie divisions following this training, but I am able to assess a baby’s tongue function.
Alongside my private and voluntary practice I run a very large breastfeeding/chestfeeding support Facebook group (Breastfeeding Support and Information UK) and have been doing this now for around 9 years. As a result I am particularly experienced in supporting mums remotely.
My aim is to help parents reach their own breastfeeding/chestfeeding goals, whatever they may be. I provide parents with the support and information they need, to enable them to make decisions as to how best to proceed with their own feeding journeys.
Whether you wish to exclusively breastfeed, combination feed, give exclusively pumped milk or formula feed I am able to support you with your feeding journey.
What is an IBCLC?
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is the highest level of breastfeeding qualification available. IBCLCs either have a background in healthcare, or must undertake 14 health science related subjects before applying to sit the exam. IBCLCs must do 95 hours of lactation specific training and have to have 1000 hours of clinical practice before being allowed to apply for the exam.
All IBCLCs must recertify every 5 years with proof of attending a minimum of 75 hours of training, carrying out 250 hours of clinical practice and must have attended a recent basic life support course.
IBCLCs can support you with more complicated issues such as slow weight gain, tongue function assessments, reflux, non latching babies, hypoplasia, supply issues as well as more straightforward breastfeeding support.
IBCLCs must adhere to the IBLCE Code of Professional Conduct and hold full professional liability insurance. Most UK IBCLCs are members of The Lactation Consultants of Great Britain
Just a word of caution that the title ‘Lactation Consultant’ is not protected, ie. it can be used by anyone. When looking for specialist breastfeeding support always ensure that they are an IBCLC and their certification is still valid at the IBLCE registry.
