I support breastfeeding mothers during the early postnatal period, both practically and emotionally. I have completed breastfeeding support training, I am training to be a lactation consultant, and more than half of the mothers I have worked with over the years were breastfeeding mothers. I have supported mothers with breastfeeding twins, building milk supply, recovering supply after illness, difficult starts, tired bodies, stressed minds, and the fear that breastfeeding may not work. Sometimes we work through it together with my knowledge and hands-on experience. Sometimes the right thing is to bring in another professional when the issue needs deeper support.

I have worked with many different bottles, formula types, sterilisers, prep machines, pumps, and feeding systems. Before I start, I usually ask what equipment the family uses, so I can make myself familiar with it. If something is new to me, I will check the manual, watch how you use it, or prepare myself beforehand. Every family has their own little system, and I do not want to come in and mess up what already works. During night support, I can prepare feeds, feed the baby if agreed, wash bottles, and sterilise the equipment used during my shift.

Mixed feeding often needs more care and thought because the mother may be trying to protect breastfeeding, keep her milk supply, and still get some rest. Some nights may look like breastfeeding first, then I take over the winding, changing, and settling. Other nights, mum may pump while I give the baby a previously expressed bottle. I can also help with top-ups, full bottle feeds, storing milk, cleaning pump parts, and keeping the night practical rather than exhausting. The aim is to make feeding work around the mother, the baby, and real life.

Breastfeeding mothers can still rest at night, but the support has to be set up properly. The feed may still be yours, but the long list around the feed does not all have to be yours. Sometimes babies need a nappy change in the middle of a feed. Sometimes the mother needs water, the bathroom, or to change her pad because breastfeeding can trigger stronger bleeding in the early days. I can stay close enough to help with those parts, so the mother is not doing every single thing alone while half asleep.

I am very comfortable supporting pumping routines. I can help with night pumping, storing expressed milk, cleaning and sterilising pump parts, preparing milk for the next feed, and keeping track of what was pumped and when. I have also supported families with travelling with expressed breast milk, storage while away from home, checking airline guidance, and planning around supply. If the goal is to build or protect milk supply, we can also look at patterns through the day and night, including power pumping or different pumping sessions where appropriate.

I have a lot of experience with windy, gassy, refluxy, uncomfortable, unsettled newborns. Releasing wind is a skill babies learn. Burping, farting, pooing, digestion, and body movement are all new to them. I help parents understand what may be happening in the baby’s body and how to support it: positioning, winding, tummy comfort, knees-up movements, leg kicking, settling, and timing. These little things are not little when you are living through them at 3am. A few right tricks can make the whole night feel different.