The Birth of the Breastfeeding Educator Hub

Having worked in the NHS for a little while now, I’ve often pondered the peculiar puzzle that is infant feeding. My journey took a delightful turn when I began working as an infant feeding midwife, where one of my key responsibilities was training our eager new doctors during their pediatric rotations. Imagine me, trying to impart knowledge while asking an innocent question: “On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your knowledge of infant feeding?”

What happened next was fascinating. Many of these fresh-faced junior doctors would respond with scores like zero, two, or maybe three. I mean, really? These brilliant minds had just completed a rigorous five-year medical degree, but when it came to the intricacies of feeding a tiny human, they were often left in the dark.

At first, I was surprised! How could this be? But then it hit me: while midwives see infant feeding as a cornerstone of our practice, it seems the NHS hasn't quite prioritised it in the medical training curriculum. These dedicated doctors are focusing on a variety of pressing issues, so it’s no wonder that infant feeding doesn’t always make the cut.

In my enthusiasm to build a supportive partnership, I began asking the doctors, “What do you think mothers believe about your expertise in this area?” Most would sheepishly suggest a zero. When I shared that many mothers actually view them as 10s—experts in breastfeeding—they were taken aback. These revelations sparked enthusiasm and a desire to learn more, which is exactly what we want in our healthcare professionals!

I’ve come to realise that while there may be gaps in knowledge, it’s not a reflection of the doctors themselves but rather a call for the system to step up! Speaking of inspiring moments, I met a fantastic woman (who was also a doctor) in antenatal classes who shared a poignant experience. She went to her GP seeking support for breastfeeding her three-week-old child. To her surprise, her GP said, “But you’ve been feeding for three weeks; isn’t that enough?” It was a lightbulb moment for both of them, highlighting that even fellow medical professionals can miss the mark on the importance of supportive infant feeding practices.

Despite these challenges, we should celebrate our doctors for their hard work and commitment to improving patient care. The question remains: in a system where achieving Baby-Friendly accreditation is a priority, why aren’t all health professionals receiving foundational training in infant feeding?

This realisation sparked the creation of the Breastfeeding Educator Hub! My mission is to bridge the knowledge gap and provide all health professionals—doctors, midwives, and everyone involved in maternal care—with access to evidence-based resources on infant feeding. Together, we can enhance our collective understanding and create a network of well-informed professionals eager to support families.

Let’s join forces to spread the word and foster a culture that truly values infant feeding. Mothers like my antenatal class friend—and so many others—deserve to know that they’re surrounded by a team that recognises and prioritises this critical aspect of care. Together, we can make a positive change in the healthcare landscape and uplift the support we offer to new parents!