Pippa Parkes
Breastfeeding Counsellor & Certified Doula
Holistic breastfeeding support
From one passionate breastfeeding mum to another, I am dedicated to providing support and warmth as you navigate breastfeeding from the very first feed to natural term weaning and everything between.
A little about me
I’d always known breastfeeding was important to me long before I became a mummy. At six weeks pregnant I booked myself onto a private breastfeeding course to learn as much as possible before baby arrived. I threw myself into reading, watching feeding videos and became fascinated with the world of breastfeeding.
The first feed after my son’s birth had me feeling like superwoman; I’d managed a pain-free latch by myself! However, my long-standing Raynaud’s disease was causing persistent nipple vasospasm, and I had no clue how to fix it.
I spent the first few weeks of newborn life trying to manage intense waves of pain without much luck. After reaching out for support through ‘the system’ multiple times with no sight of a home visit, I paid for a private breastfeeding consultation… and within the hour I felt like a new woman. I had never felt relief like it!
During those intense few weeks, I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding whilst feeding my baby during the night. The reassuring words in that book were a lifeline that still resonate with me today. Once my Raynaud’s under control, I simply fell in love with breastfeeding and the special relationship I had (and still have) with my baby.
Through my own reading, research and chatting to mums who attend my mum & baby walks, I hear the same stories frequently not unlike mine. Nipple trauma, recurring mastitis, supply worries and more put a premature end to breastfeeding for too many mums, and I want to be there to help change this.
I took the leap and left a very stable career during my maternity leave to train as a Breastfeeding Counsellor, and fast forward to today, work with many families in an area of the North East with some of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the UK. Through paid and volunteer work with the NHS, I am currently working my way through the 1000 clinical hours, 14 science modules and preparing for the exam to qualify as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Kind Words From Families
“Pippa is incredibly natural at what she does!
I am a second time mum to a 6 week old little girl and this is my first time breastfeeding. In the first week I had my daughter I was struggling massively and felt like giving up. Looking back this was due to lack of feeding support and not enough knowledge, then I found Pippa!
She has helped me overcome my worries and doubts and if it wasn’t for her I don’t think our breastfeeding journey would have made it through the first few weeks! Pippa is incredibly knowledgeable and on every occasion I have had questions or worries around my newborn she has replied promptly and given me the information and understanding I needed to get through.
She has made such a positive impact on my postpartum experience and I really could not recommend her enough, as-well as being incredible at her job she is also a lovely and approachable person who truly cares and wants to help, thank you Pippa!
~ Danielle, 12/09/25
Breastfeeding Newborn Pocket Support
“Pippa managed to rejig her diary in order to be able to visit me asap which was so welcome considering the feeding discomfort I was experiencing with my newborn. She helped find the best position and ensured we were latching on properly resolving the pain and enabling the existing damage to heal. Hugely caring and supportive – with essential tips to help with the breastfeeding journey. Thank you Pippa!”
~ Georgie, 06/02/26
Breastfeeding Consultation, Newborn Fine Tuning
“I recently gave birth and was struggling with breastfeeding. Pippa was recommended to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her knowledge, encouragement, and support. If she hadn’t gotten involved, I truly believe I would have given up breastfeeding altogether.
Pippa is a complete natural when it comes to breastfeeding knowledge, as well as general postpartum and baby care. She not only has extensive knowledge, but her kind and caring personality makes all the difference. She kept in touch even after our sessions, and whenever I had a question she always responded so quickly. There was nothing I could ask that she hadn’t seen before or didn’t know about, which was incredibly reassuring, especially as a first-time mum.
I can’t recommend her enough.”
~ Krisztina, 09/02/26
Virtual Newborn Fine Tuning & Follow-up Home Visit