Training and Experience

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I qualified as an adult nurse in 1999 and have a background in critical care and cardiorespiratory nursing.  In 2003, I retrained as a midwife at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, internationally renowned for its excellence in maternity care.  Since then, I have worked in both NHS and private maternity units across London, gaining a valuable cross section of experience from home birth and water birth to high risk labour ward care.  I have also worked as an infant feeding lead in the UK's leading private maternity hospital. 

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I am skilled in examination of the newborn and supporting mothers and babies with complex breastfeeding issues in the first few weeks after birth.  I proudly qualified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2008.  Using my specialist skills and knowledge, together with what I learned on Baby Friendly in-house courses, I have implemented Baby Friendly care standards in maternity units, writing and developing guidelines, auditing care and training staff in both the clinical and classroom setting.  

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I have also served as a commissioner and vice chair for the newly formed IBCLC commission, overseeing all essential certification activities related to the IBCLC programme, such as eligibility requirements, examination development, ethics and discipline.  The commission focuses on the quality of the IBCLC programme and related processes. 

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An IBCLC holds the highest regarded professional qualification in breastfeeding knowledge and works to support, protect and promote breastfeeding.  Click here to learn more. 

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Prestigious Baby Friendly Award

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I have always been passionate about mothers and their babies receiving the best possible infant feeding support.  When I worked at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, we proudly received the prestigious Unicef Baby Friendly award, a nationally recognised mark of quality care.  At that time, I was the lead for infant feeding and implementation of baby friendly care standards on the private maternity unit.  We were accredited with full Baby Friendly status in July 2013. ​

 

Continued Professional Development

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As an IBCLC, I undergo a revalidation process every 5 years whereby I must demonstrate continued learning and practice hours.  I regularly undertake specialist courses and attend conferences, so that I have the most up to date information and practical strategies to support families in a holistic, gentle and effective way.  For example, I have a special interest in infant reflux and colic and have undertaken an in-depth training course created by leading experts in this field.  As a result, I feel more confident working with families with babies who are suffering from colic or reflux and who are showing signs of lactose intolerance, CMP allergy and other food allergies and intolerances. 

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I would love to share my knowledge and expertise with you, empowering you to meet your breastfeeding goals.

 

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