My Professional Experience

I've been a fully insured, practicing IBCLC since summer 2021 covering mainly South and West Yorkshire, prior to this I have been involved in breastfeeding support volunteering in groups, online and in the community since 2015. I have spent over 11 years working on a busy neonatal unit where I've cared for babies and their families through some of the toughest times of their lives. I have ample experience working with premature babies, term babies born poorly or with congenital conditions, surgical babies and babies who just need that little bit of help adjusting to the outside world. All of whom needed that extra support to start their feeding journey. My passion is all things infant feeding, particularly breastfeeding and expressing breast milk, and helping parents to understand why giving human milk to babies helps to give them the best start in life.

Please note I am not a tongue tie practitioner so I am unable to diagnose and treat tongue ties, I am able to perform oral assessments on your baby and refer to a tongue tie practitioner if needed.

My Personal Experience

I had my first daughter in 2015 and our breastfeeding journey didn't come without it's struggles. From community breastfeeding support and IBCLC visits to tongue tie revision and supplements we powered through and with lots of support our feeding journey gradually improved and I breastfed her until she was nearly two years old.

My experience with my second daughter in 2018 was much better. I had proper support at my hands from before she was born and more knowledge from my first daughter which resulted in a more successful feeding journey. We still had our struggles, visits to the IBCLC, support from groups and friends and a LOT of determination I breastfed her until she was just short of three years old.

I believe that all inclusive and informative prenatal education, up-to-date and evidence based information and proper postnatal one-to-ones mean the difference between a successful breastfeeding journey and a journey cut short, or shorter than the parent would like, which unfortunately equates to around 80% of all breastfeeding parents! That is why I'm offering my skills and services to you today. I will support you in your journey and help you to reach your personal feeding goals.

Kay Richardson

The Yorkshire IBCLC