To introduce myself, I am Sue Saunders, an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). My background is in General Nursing, Midwifery and Breastfeeding Counselling. Since qualifying in 1989 by passing the IBLCE (International Board Lactation Consultants Examination), I have specialised in breastfeeding and lactation problems and training for healthcare professionals and breastfeeding counsellors.

 

Until 1993 I worked in Australia, then I relocated  to England, with my family.

 

I have a wealth of experience, having worked in the public and private sectors, in both hospital and community settings, on three continents; in Perth and Port Hedland, Western Australia; in Port Gentil, Gabon, West Africa and in Kent, England.

 

As one of the first Lactation Consultants in both Western Australia and the UK, I have commenced in private practice and was involved with promoting the IBLCE (Lactation Consultant Exam) and was a founding member of the professional organisations for Lactation Consultants, ALCA (Australian Lactation Consultants Association) and LCGB (Lactation Consultants of Great Britain). I am on the Board of Professional Advisers to Le Leche League Great Britain.

For 6 years, I was an Infant Feeding Specialist within the NHS serving two hospitals and about 5,000 births per year.

 

In 2007 I was awarded the inaugural WABA/ILCA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action/International Lactation Consultants Association) fellowship and spent two and half months working in Penang, Malaysia. It was a rewarding time and I enjoyed working with the enthusiastic and energetic WABA team on a range of projects, including a Peer Support programme.

 

I have now recommenced in private practice and will continue to work with breastfeeding families and healthcare professionals. As it is sometimes difficult to attend a breastfeeding drop in centre, I am available for home consultations following the birth of your baby should a feeding problem occur. Some examples that might require a consultation could be: following a caesarean section and unable to drive yet, painful breasts and nipples, breastfeeding seems to take too long, mother feels exhausted, having multiple babies, crying and unsettled baby, baby is slow to gain weight, or baby is premature. Or the mother may be feeling unwell with mastitis.

Since 2008 I have been funded to set up and to facilitate a weekly Breastfeeding Drop In Centre at a Children’s and Families Centre and I am also involved in the training and the supervision of Peer Supporters in Swale, Kent.

As it is sometimes difficult to attend a breastfeeding drop in centre, I am available for home consultations following the birth of your baby should a feeding problem occur. Some examples might be: following a caesarean section and unable to drive yet, painful breasts and nipples, breastfeeding seems to take too long, mother feels exhausted, having multiple babies, crying and unsettled baby, baby is slow to gain weight, or baby is premature.

Another of my passions is to encourage healthcare professionals to keep up to date and evidence based, and I offer a range of 3 day, 2 day and 1 day courses which are conducted in Kent.

 

Sue Saunders