Jackie Hall
IBCLC Lactation Consultant since 2009Contact
My Experience
- Qualified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (since 2009)
- Qualified RN and Specialist Community Practitioner (since 1990)
- Over 30 years of NHS experience
- Supported more than 16,000 breastfeeding clients
- Facilitator of volunteer breastfeeding peer support training
- Facilitator of breastfeeding groups (in-house and virtual)
- Facilitator of breastfeeding training as infant feeding lead in the NHS
- Previous work teaching health visiting students at Manchester Metropolitan University
- Previous work conducting antenatal workshops for TAMBA for mums expecting twins or more
- Project lead for Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) in NHS role (for 14 years)
- Founder of the national charity – The Breastfeeding Companion
My Background
I’m Jackie, and I’ve been qualified as an IBCLC since 2009.
In 1989 I completed a BNurs (Hons) degree at the University of Manchester and have worked for the NHS since then – over 32 years!
I spent 14 years working as a health visitor with mothers, babies and their families before qualifying as an international board certified lactation consultant in 2009.
From that time I worked as an infant feeding lead and breastfeeding specialist in Greater Manchester until 2023.
Consequently, I’ve supported over 15,000 clients, (pregnant women, mothers, babies, and their families) with all aspects of breastfeeding, as well as offering professional lactation expertise for GPs, health visiting teams, and volunteer peer supporters.
I have facilitated pre-birth education to pregnant women to help them prepare for breastfeeding, as well as breastfeeding counselling to clients regarding all aspects of their breastfeeding experience.
I have also provided many years of mandatory breastfeeding training to health visiting staff and their teams, as well as having opportunity to teach health visiting students at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Since 2003, I recruited, trained and supervised volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters, equipping them to support and encourage other breastfeeding mothers.
I am also the founder of the charity The Breastfeeding Companion, a free resource for pregnant and breastfeeding women, which is used by many NHS Trusts across the UK and carries the NHS Information Standard kitemark.
All three of my children were breastfed, so I understand first-hand the issues that can arise when breastfeeding.
I also understand what it’s like when support is not always available at the time it is needed.
I overcame several hurdles during my own breastfeeding experience, and from that, I developed a passionate interest in this field.
Jackie on BBC Breakfast – 2017
This set me on a journey to learn as much as I could and become qualified in the field of lactation.
I’m trained as a La Leche League ‘train the trainer’ along with many BFI accredited courses.
I also studied in Chicago, USA to gain a Lactation Specialist Course before becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2009.
With the experience I’ve had, I have gained a wealth of valuable expertise to help you reach your goals.
What is an IBCLC Lactation Consultant?
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) holds the highest qualification in breastfeeding. After countless hours of study and experience, there is a robust four-hour exam at degree level.
The qualification ensures each IBCLC has extensive knowledge of breastfeeding issues, including complex situations.
An IBCLC is usually a health professional or has completed education in 14 health science subjects, as well as having at least 1000 hours of extensive clinical experience supporting breastfeeding and at least 90 hours of lactation education.
IBCLC is the only internationally recognized breastfeeding qualification and it is accredited by The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).
IBCLC’s must recertify every five years, in order to prove that their skills and knowledge are up to date.
Additionally, all IBCLCs are also obliged to work according to the IBLCE Code of Professional Conduct.
All IBCLCs are certified by IBLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners) and are listed on the international register: www.iblce.org
