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Lactation Consultant and Baby Massage Instructor
MPH, BSc Hons, IBCLC, CIMI, RSCN, RGN, HV Cert
Welcome to Babycalm, congratulations on the birth of your baby or the wonderful news of your pregnancy! I am here to support you through your journey as a parent with the choices that you make.
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I am a qualified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Baby Massage Instructor (CIMI) with a background in paediatric nursing and health visiting.
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I offer support with preparation for breastfeeding your baby in the antenatal period and ongoing breastfeeding help in the early weeks and months after your baby’s birth. To continue with the bonding process as a family, I also offer a 5 week baby massage courses as an individual or a group.
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Please note I am fully vaccinated against Flu and Covid and from March 2023 I will no longer wear any PPE at a home visit but will upon request. For infection control purposes I always wear scrubs and carry out a covid lateral flow test prior to every home visit.
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ABOUT ME
My interest in breastfeeding started when I struggled to breastfeed my first baby. As a nurse, paediatric nurse and health visitor I assumed that this would be easy, but realised very quickly that without support breastfeeding can be quite a challenge. I was subject to lots of conflicting advice and came out of hospital with my baby mainly formula fed. However, with the support of an IBCLC, I managed to overcome the challenges and breastfed my son successfully. I went on to fully breastfeed my two other children.
This experience led me to qualifying as an IBCLC in 2007. By then I was working for Croydon NHS Trust as a Breastfeeding Specialist Health Visitor, running Baby Cafés and the Mum2Mum Breastfeeding Peer Support Programme.
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In 2018, I trained as a Baby Massage Instructor, and incorporated baby massage into the Mum2Mum breastfeeding support programme in order to encourage the continuing bond between the baby and his or her caregiver.
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I retired from the NHS in June 2020 after 30 years, with a view to working as a private Lactation Consultant and Baby Massage Instructor. This allows me to focus on working with families at this crucial time in their lives, without the constraints of working within a large organisation.
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I am fully insured by Holistic Services Limited.
What is an ibclc?
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An IBCLC holds the highest regarded professional qualification in specialised breastfeeding knowledge which supports, protects and promotes breastfeeding. IBCLCs are knowledgeable in all areas of lactation and provide evidence based information to support both basic and complex breastfeeding challenges.
IBCLCs are regulated by The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and are required to re-certify every 5 years and work within a code of professional conduct.
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What is a cimi?
A CIMI is a certified infant massage instructor with the IAIM. This is an internationally recognised qualification and instructors are constantly updated with massage strokes to ensure consistency of skills. Baby massage is when a parent or primary carer lovingly strokes or holds their baby. Using a high quality non-fragranced vegetable oil, soothing holds and rhythmic strokes are given on each area of baby's body, following a sequence that has been developed over many years.
The massage offers a wonderful experience and a special time to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with babies, so that they feel loved, valued and respected.
The IAIM baby massage course draws from both the Indian and Swedish massage traditions, as well as incorporating principles from yoga and reflexology.
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