Our Little One’s Birth Story
June 5, 2015
My Little One is now seven months old and only now do I have the time to write his wonderful birth story. Thus is the
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I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), teacher and writer based in Wädenswil, Switzerland, working locally, nationally and globally. As an infant feeding, breastfeeding and lactation specialist, I see the deep impact that infant feeding issues can have on new parenthood, and aim to smooth this transition as much as possible.
I have extensive additional training in perinatal mental health and trauma, tethered oral tissues (tongue tie etc), suck rehabilitation and the most complex of feeding issues, and am passionate about using a variety of techniques to give parents agency and confidence, alongside a vastly extensive knowledge-base.
In addition to my practice, Milk and Motherhood, I also work as lactation consultant in other capacities:
Educator for the European Society of Paediatric Research and the European Society of Neonatology.
Working together with the University of Zurich to better the world’s understanding of breastfeeding as a women’s health and infant health issue.
Writer for a variety of global magazines and journals, with a focus on maternal identity, breastfeeding trauma and grief, and at-breast supplementation.
Founder and administrator of the 3000 member support group “Breastfeeding Mamas in Switzerland”, providing an opportunity for quality support for both mothers and health professionals throughout the country.
Founder and administrator of the Swiss peer-to-peer milk sharing group, ‘Human Milk 4 Human Babies – Switzerland’, allowing for families to have more options for informed infant feeding choices.
Presenter for a variety of large international conferences, such as Gold Lactation Conferences, ELACTA, iLactation and the International Breastfeeding and Feminism Conference in the US.
Panel member for the WHO’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Congress.
Google Zurich’s onsite breastfeeding advisor throughout the opening of new breastfeeding and parenting facilities, providing employees and visitors with support and advice.
Working alongside paediatricians, psychologists, gynaecologists, midwives, speech pathologists, paediatric dieticians, osteopaths, ENT surgeons, dentists, osteopaths, etc.
“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
Prolific writer of all things infant feeding and parenting related. Published in these international magazines and journals, among others:
Originally from Australia, I now live in Zürich Switzerland with my husband and two growing boys (now aged 6 and 9).
My passion for breastfeeding support began after experiencing the personal trauma of being unable to feed my children in the way I had always expected, hoped and dreamed. So now, after many years of very intense studying, my goal is to be able to give women what I wasn’t able to find: real answers, and real evidence, while supporting women when they are often at their most vulnerable.
I love writing, painting, my piano and guitar, huge hot baths, my little flower garden, and doing crosswords with my lovely man. I definitely do not love aeroplanes, oysters, or judgmental attitudes. After camping and cycling around Europe for a year, I’m quite happy to avoid these two activities for the near future!
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