Hello, I'm Ashleigh, International Board Certified (IBCLC) Lactation Consultant, Midwife, and Registered Nurse. I am also a wife, mother of six, and a long-term breastfeeder.
My passion lies in everything related to breastfeeding. When I first began my journey as a mother, I realised the lack of support available for breastfeeding mothers. This realisation fuelled my determination to advocate for, promote, and safeguard breastfeeding.
I have personally experienced challenges such as engorgement, mastitis, painful latches, low milk supply, feeding a baby with failure to thrive, returning to work while needing to express milk, and dealing with bottle refusal. These struggles, coupled with the lack of available support, inspired me to pursue a career in lactation and assist families in their breastfeeding journey.
I am here to offer my support and guidance to you and the women in our community as you work towards achieving your breastfeeding goals. I often hear mothers express that with the right support, their breastfeeding experience could have been different.
I aim to bridge this gap in our community and enhance the healthcare services accessible to rural women and beyond.
Together, we will unpack your birth story and feeding journey so far. I will be there to listen as you share your experiences, starting from the very first feed until now. Understanding your past can help us create a plan for the future.
I will support and respect your feeding goals and choices, guiding you towards achieving them. Whether you choose exclusive breastfeeding, a combination of feeding methods, or transitioning to weaning, I am here to provide assistance and encouragement.
A comprehensive lactation assessment will be conducted, including observing a full feed, making immediate adjustments to improve positioning and latching, examining breast anatomy, assessing infant oral function, and monitoring weight. This assessment will help us develop a personalised plan for you and your baby.
We will work together to create and update realistic feeding plans that can adapt to the dynamic nature of breastfeeding. I will stay in touch with you regularly, making adjustments as needed over the next 14 days.
Your mental health and wellbeing is a priority, and I will support you in recognising and addressing any perinatal mental health concerns. Resources and options will be provided to ensure you feel supported and cared for throughout your mothering journey.
I will educate you on the intricacies of breastfeeding, helping you understand the biological processes at play. By learning about feeding habits, hormonal influences, growth spurts, and normal baby behaviour, you can navigate breastfeeding with greater ease and acceptance.
As your baby grows and feeding patterns change, I will assist you in understanding and adapting to these transitions. I will also provide guidance on returning to work, including pumping, milk storage, bottle feeding, and weaning strategies as needed.
If breastfeeding does not go as planned, I will support you through any grief or disappointment. Together, we will explore alternative feeding options and find peace in understanding the reasons behind any challenges.
I will never stop advocating for you, myself and mothers everywhere by addressing barriers that impede successful breastfeeding. I am dedicated to fostering a more nurturing and supportive environment for all women.
Ultimately, my goal is to provide you and your little ones with endless love and support. Your successes are mine as well, and I am right there with you, cheering you on every step of the way.
Schedule an in home, in clinic or Zoom consultation with me today to get personalised support and guidance with your feeding journey and/ or sleep concerns.
In person and Zoom appointments are available so I can support you wherever you may be in Australia.
I am able to provide a thorough assessment of both mother and baby. I will observe a breastfeed and be able to provide you with evidence-based suggestions and guide you through to reaching your breastfeeding goals.
All consultations include an individualised Breastfeeding Management Plan.
My knowledge includes (but is not limited to)
the following areas:
Health insurance rebates may be available depending on your provider and level of cover.
I am a registered provider with
I began my career in nursing thirteen years ago with a background in paediatrics, which saw me gain a Diploma and Bachelor's degree in Nursing. I achieved my Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery in 2019, where I began providing women and their families with antenatal, labour and birth, and postnatal care.
I hold a Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education with five years of volunteer service with ABA. My role with ABA includes providing much-needed support and guidance on the breastfeeding helpline and through Live Chat, counselling mothers from all over Australia through their breastfeeding challenges. I continue to provide education and support to our local women and their families through ABA group meetings and our education sessions.
In 2023, I successfully earned a Diploma in Breastfeeding Management. The following year, I achieved the title of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), regarded as the highest professional certification in the field of breastfeeding knowledge and support.
I have completed training in the Sleep, Baby & You program as part of working through my accreditation through the NDC Institute to receive accreditation in Neuroprotective Development Care also referred to as the Possums Program to assist me with offering sleep and settling support using a neurodevelopment approach supporting the bond between parent and child. By implementing the Possums approach for addressing infant sleep, feeding, and cry fuss issues, I can assist in improving your baby's managibiity of sleep while still attending to their needs. This approach promotes neurodevelopment without the use of rigid routines, traditional "sleep training," or letting baby cry.
1a Darling Street, Tamworth New South Wales 2340, Australia
Copyright © 2024 Nurture and Nourish Lactation
ABN 45 749 938 560
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A Midwifery and Breastfeeding
Education Experience
Prepare for a successful postpartum journey with my comprehensive workshop designed to guide you through the post-birth period, early days and weeks of caring for your new infant, breastfeeding, and sleep. Delve into the essentials of breastfeeding preparation and gain insights into what to expect as a new breastfeeding mother and support partner of a breastfeeding mother. This workshop is best suited for expectant mothers in their third trimester. Dads and support partners are encouraged to join to learn how to best support you.
Tamworth NSW