Very special thanks

To Deborah Robertson, a mentor and friend for over 20 years, who saw something in me that I didn’t even realise existed and took me on a journey of mind-blowing discovery - thank you.

June Gilliam and Liz Bailey, who gave me unique opportunities, encouragement and unconditional support to develop my own practice, and create an incredible health visiting infant feeding service and education programme.

Felicia Wright, Jo Maynard, Amanda Bush-Smith, Sue Ward and Vicky Jordan, an inspirational team without whom the specialist breastfeeding service we created would not have existed.

Bev Hunt and Sara Vistosi, inspirational women who alongside a group of dedicated breastfeeding mums created an amazing breastfeeding peer support network for families in Medway.

Vicki Sigston and Amber Taylor, whom I first met when they were new mums attending the support group I facilitated, and who I watched become incredible breastfeeding practitioners in their own right, as well as dear friends.

Every mum and baby I’ve ever spent time with, all of whom have given me new and unique insights, each encounter increasing my experience and skills to help develop and motivate the educator I am today.

The practitioners who have engaged in all that I’ve taught between the very beginning and now - you have all contributed to my learning and development as much as I to yours, and I’m eternally grateful.

To my mum, who gave me and my siblings the gift of being breastfed, and my dad, who grew up in a 1930’s seaside village where the local Milk Bar was quite literally the place breastfeeding mothers met and supported each other.

John

My beautiful sons Richard and James, without whom I would never have understood the incredible experience of being a breastfeeding mum, and who spent years of their adolescence living with giant breast models and knitted boobs without batting an eyelid.