About Rene

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Midwife, and Breastfeeding Counsellor.

While working with families as a midwife for over 15 years at Monash Health and now a SJOG, I realized I was passionate about the importance of breastfeeding and how difficult it can be for some mothers and babies. I found overcoming these challenges rewarding in many ways.

I’ve since had the honour of working with many families, to help them overcome the many challenges breastfeeding can present.

My experience ranges from antenatal education and expressing through to all other aspects of breastfeeding issues such as damaged nipples, engorgement, low supply, low weight gain, oversupply, nipple shields, tongue tie, mastitis, blocked ducts, vasospasm, blebs, thrush, breast refusal, re-lactation, and the list goes on!

I’ve extended my passion to my volunteer role within the community as a co-group leader for the Casey-Cardinia Group with The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA).

I’ve completed my Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Counselling, allowing me to volunteer at group meetings, Breastfeeding Education Classes, on the National Helpline, and at the ‘Drop in and Chat’ weekly session.

Being a mum with experience breastfeeding twins, I’m also a member of the National ABA Breastfeeding Multiples Workgroup and co-moderator of the National ABA Breastfeeding Multiples Facebook group.

I’m extremely grateful for the skills I have gained from being part of ABA. It has enhanced my work as a Midwife and Lactation Consultant, and the friendships I have made with other volunteers, mothers, and their families are something I will treasure forever. 

I have also been working towards accreditation over the last year to become a Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) practitioner to help families with all areas of feeding, sleep, and mental health support. This work is groundbreaking and has been extremely helpful to the many new families I have worked with.

My Parenting Experiences

I have been lucky enough to have breastfed all six of my wonderful children, each one unique!

With my first two lovely boys, I found it easy, and a very natural process. I still had a short time adjusting to my nipples being sucked on so much day and night, but working with my baby and with practice, this was easily overcome, and they both continued to breastfeed for the first year of their life.

Then, I had two baby boys, at the same time! Yes, twins! Juggling two babies proved much harder, however, my determination showed me I could overcome anything, and the three of us worked together and continued until they were over one.

My fifth little boy (yes, five boys so far!) was born with a crooked jaw due to torticollis. This made breastfeeding painful for me for roughly three weeks; however, again, with determination and the right support, I was able to continue and feed until he was around 15 months!

Lastly, my darling (ahem!) little girl fed until four years of age, which taught me things about breastfeeding that I didn’t even realize I didn’t know!

My goal in life is to use all of my experience as a mother, volunteer, and health professional to educate, promote, and support mothers breastfeeding, whether it be one, two, or more babies, and help them reach their breastfeeding goals.

I love my work and find it rewarding to help a mother and baby share a positive breastfeeding journey together.