MEET JOHANNA

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) based in Wädenswil, Switzerland, working locally, nationally and globally. 

I have extensive additional training in perinatal mental health and trauma, tethered oral tissues (tongue tie etc), suck rehabilitation and myofunctional therapy, and am passionate about using a variety of techniques to assist with the most complex of infant feeding situations, giving parents agency and confidence. I see the deep impact that infant feeding issues can have on new parenthood, and aim to smooth this transition as much as possible. 

CLINICAL WORK

In addition to my practice, Milk and Motherhood, I also work as an infant feeding specialist in other capacities: 

Research Assistant, Teacher and Writer

  • Teacher, presenter and international speaker for the European Society of Paediatric Research and the European Society of Neonatology.
  • Co-creator of Decoding the Suck, the online course for perinatal professionals to learn about infant sucking skills and oral habilitation
  • Working with University of Zurich to improve infant feeding support and maternal mental health throughout health institutions in China.
  • Writer for a variety of international publications, with a focus on maternal identity, breastfeeding trauma and grief, and infant sucking skills 

Community Education and Support

  • Podcaster with The Latch Revolution, alongside the wonderful Katie James. 
  • Founder and administrator of the Swiss peer-to-peer milk sharing group, ‘Human Milk 4 Human Babies – Switzerland’.
  • Founder and administrator of the support group “Breastfeeding Mamas in Switzerland”, for mothers and health professionals throughout Switzerland. 

International Speaker

  • Presenter for a variety of large international conferences, such as Gold Lactation Conferences, ELACTA, iLactation and USLCA.
  • Keynote speaker for Gold Lactation (global) and for Formazione Allattamento (Italy)
  • Panel member for the World Health Organisation’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Congress.

Trusted Advisor

  • Google Zurich’s onsite breastfeeding advisor throughout the opening of breastfeeding and parenting facilities.
  • Workshops and lectures for Zurich’s School of Midwifery and the Mütter- und Väterberatung throughout Zurich canton. 
  • Continued work in an integrated system alongside paediatricians, psychologists, gynaecologists, midwives, speech pathologists, paediatric dentists, osteopaths, surgeons, nutritionists, allergists, physiotherapists, etc. 

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Memberships and Affiliations

  • ELACTA European Lactation Consultants Alliance 
  • IATTP International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals
  • BSS Berufsverband der Schweizerischen Still- und Laktationsberaterinnen 
  • IBLCE International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (Advisor and Committee member)
  • Gold Lactation Professional Advisory Committee
  • ILCA International Lactation Consultant Association 

Training and Education

 

  • International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Infant Feeding Specialist at Milk and Motherhood 
  • Advanced certification in Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy
  • Bachelor of Education (Secondary: English and Science) – Edith Cowen University
  • Bachelor of Arts (English/Philosophy) – Edith Cowen University / Dalhousie University
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (specialising in Mental Health) – Curtin University
  • Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) – University of Western Australia
  • Additional training qualifications and certifications in :
    • Oral habilitation, Tethered Oral Tissues
    • Myofunctional Therapy
    • Motivational Interviewing and CBT for health care professional
    • Trauma Therapy

FEATURED IN

“I just reached 6 months of exclusively breastfeeding my little one and wouldn’t have made it this far without Johanna’s incredible help and support. She not only has a wealth of knowledge to share in a very approachable way, but she also knows how to do this in a truly caring and genuine way that makes you feel comfortable and positive about your situation. My only change is wishing I knew about her before my birth to be better prepared.”

– Holly

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY

Originally from Australia, I spent a year cycling and camping around Europe before settling in Wädenswil, Switzerland, where I live with my husband and two gorgeous boys.

My passion for breastfeeding support began after experiencing the deep heartbreak of being unable to feed my children in the way I had always expected, hoped and dreamed. My goal is to be able to provide families with the information that I truly needed and was unable to find, at a time when we are often at our most vulnerable. Everyone deserves to have real answers, real evidence, sustainable solutions, and deep compassion.

I love spending my weekends working on my creative writing and painting, playing piano and guitar, being a little too competitive with family board-games, and pottering around in my garden. I definitely do not love aeroplanes, oysters, or judgemental attitudes. 

Being Stuck

November 28, 2015

Nobody talks about the days where you don’t want it. Where the last thing that you want is to be needed. By everyone. All the

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One Year. We did it.

October 15, 2015

One year. I really can’t believe that I have managed to breastfeed this little baby for the entire first year of his life.  I’ve been

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I am sad today

August 29, 2015

I am sad today. I am increasingly coming to terms with the fact that, in my past, I did everything that I could. I made

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Milk in a cup

August 21, 2015

This might be a little odd, but I’m preparing myself for some catharsis today. For the first time in this 10month breastfeeding journey, I expressed

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