I am a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor and Certified Healing Birth Practitioner with over 16 years experience supporting families, founder of The Breast Room® and Mamas in Lockdown,

I am originally from England and moved to New Zealand in 2009 with my partner and my two children, who were then 5 years and 15 years old. We have been in Dunedin almost since we arrived and love it here. In 2016 we all became New Zealand Citizens.

I have a Diploma in Breastfeeding Counselling from the University of Bedfordshire and am a Certified Healing Birth Practitioner. I have been working with families for over 16 years, providing education and support with breastfeeding and more recently, in relation to birth experiences.

I have written and delivered antenatal breastfeeding classes in England and Dunedin, and in New Zealand have recorded talks for Women’s Health Action, iLactation’s International breastfeeding conference, presented at the PADA Perinatal Mental Health Workshop, and write for Kiwiparent Magazine.

I train breastfeeding peer supporters to support families in our community, and provide ongoing mentoring and professional support to peer supporters and their team leaders across Otago and Southland.

In 2011 I established The Breast Room, a charity to provide ongoing support and information to breastfeeding families in Dunedin.

During the Covid lockdown in 2020, I worked with many families experiencing the stress and anxiety of giving birth during a pandemic. This lead to me publishing a collection of stories written by some of these parents as a therapeutic and cathartic process - Mamas in Lockdown.

“I’m no longer confused or beating myself up about what went “wrong”. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted.”

The book has been a great success and is listed in the Maternal Wellbeing section of Books on Prescription - a programme devised to increase access to high quality health information. The resources included in this programme have been recommended and reviewed by health professionals. Many of these parents have stayed in touch and sought support during their subsequent births.

“I no longer feel there is a need to be hard on myself. I broke that cycle, as you pointed out. I feel proud of myself :).”

To buy Mamas in Lockdown or access any of my free help resources, click the button below.