I became a mother for the first time in 2002. Those early days weren’t full of joy for me – they were hard. I had severe postnatal depression. Breastfeeding was the one thing that gave me hope. It helped me bond with my daughter when everything else felt like it was falling apart.
But I could see how many parents were struggling – desperate for help and not getting the support they needed. In 2005, I started training as a breastfeeding counsellor, fuelled by the desire to be part of the solution. By the time I qualified with NCT in 2010, I’d had a second daughter and a second experience of postnatal depression. All of this while juggling a career in the tech world.
Being a breastfeeding counsellor brings me deep joy. I know from experience that what feels like a simple conversation to me can be a lifeline to a struggling parent. Just being listened to by someone who understands can change everything.
In October 2023, I was in supervision with other counsellors. We were frustrated – we kept bumping up against the same problem. Parents would find us online, but they lived too far away for us to help in person. And we didn’t always know who to signpost them to.
“What we need,” someone said, “is a national breastfeeding support directory.”
That was my lightbulb moment.
“I could do that,” I said.
And I meant it.
I had the skills. I knew the sector. And I knew the impact it could make.
So I created the UK Breastfeeding Support Directory – a tool to help parents find real, accessible, local support, fast. Because no one should have to navigate this journey alone.
And this month, we went live.
It’s taken a lot longer than I expected – because I wanted to get it right. For parents, for practitioners, for everyone trying to make a difference.
But now, here it is. Ready to help. Ready to connect. Ready to support.
Check out the UK Breastfeeding Directory here.
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