Nursery World - My working life ... Lactation consultant

A former primary school head is now helping new mothers struggling
with breastfeeding their newborns. Gabriella Jozwiak hears what the job
involves.

Emma Pickett is a certified lactation consultant. She works independently, providing one-to-one breastfeeding support to women in north London.

'Many different people support breastfeeding in the UK, such as midwives, health visitors and voluntary breastfeeding counsellors,' she says. 'Being a lactation consultant is a paid role, although a few local authority areas may hire breastfeeding counsellors as peer supporters. Some lactation consultants work in hospital settings or in teams, but I work in private practice.

'I provide consultations part-time, usually two sessions a day, because I have two children and need to collect them from school in the afternoon. Each lasts 90 minutes, sometimes longer, and is delivered in the mother's home. Usually her partner will be present and maybe another friend or relative. It's good to have another pair of ears because at that stage mums are often tired and unable to take in information.

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