A paediatrician's view on breastfeeding - with Dr Vicky Thomas

LLL Leaders offer support with the normal course of breastfeeding. To enable us to support parents to investigate more complex issues and challenges we are supported by the LLLGB Panel of Professional Advisors. The panel is made up of a body of experts in breastfeeding and birth research and practice. In this episode we are excited to be speaking to one of ourprofessional advisors – Dr Victoria Thomas. Vicky qualified from the University of Newcastle upon Tynein 2004 and completed her paediatric training in Birmingham and across the North East of England. Since 2015 she has been a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital. Vicky specialises in Coeliac disease,infant feeding, growth and nutrition, including feeding in complex health conditions.Vicky’s passion for equity in breastfeeding support has ledher to train as a LLL Leader with LLL Collective. We explore how Vicky’s own nursing journey shaped herunderstanding of breastfeeding and informed her work as a medical professional supporting breastfeeding families. Vicky talks to us about her project of supporting her colleagues in the healthcare profession with breastfeeding and how she applies the skills she learned as a breastfeeding counsellor in her day-to-day medical practice.A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.ukhttps://laleche.org.uk/health-professionals/MiLC:https://www.instagram.com/medics_lactationcommunityhttps://www.facebook.com/share/14XaFX7Rkv8/?mibextid=wwXIfrHIFN https://www.hifn.org/Breastfeeding the Brave https://breastfeedingthebrave.com/https://breastfeedingfordoctors.com/who-we-are/Visiting the paediatrician cartoon: https://www.hedgerhumor.com/nursing-mom-at-the-doctor/