CLCWA Babies are born to breastfeed

Associate Professor Cathy Fetherston is Head of Nursing and Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the School of Health Professions at Murdoch University in Western Australia. Cathy has also been an IBCLC since 1992, and worked in a private community hospital lactation clinic until 2010. She still provides continuing breastfeeding education to midwives, lactation consultants and child health nurses and conducts short courses in Breastfeeding and Human Lactation to assist candidates to prepare for the IBCLE. Cathy’s research interests are varied but there has been a focus on mastitis and pathophysiology of the lactating breast. She has published a number of papers in this area and a book chapter on the immunological protection of the breast.

Sharon Perrella is a research fellow at the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group at The University of Western Australia and works as a IBCLC at One For Women. Sharon has an extensive clinical background in neonatal nursing, and experience as a peer breastfeeding counsellor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

She has a special interest in preterm breastfeeding, and milk production. Since being awarded a PhD in 2015 Sharon has used ultrasound and intraoral vacuum measurement to examine sucking dynamics and suck-swallowbreathe coordination, while her current work focuses on the identification and management of women at risk of reduced breastfeeding duration.

Bernadette graduated at the Physiotherapy School at the Georg August University Göttingen, Germany, in 1980. Prior to moving to Australia she worked for 15 years in the Children’s Hospital & Child Development Centre in Oldenburg, Germany.

Bernadette is now in her 15th year working at the Fremantle Child Development Service where she holds the position as Senior Physiotherapist. She works also one day per week in her private practice.

Gillian Griffiths is an Occupational Therapist with 15 years experience as a senior practitioner, program manager, consultant and facilitator of professional development and caregiver programs. Gillian has extensive training from the USA and Australia in Sensory Processing; Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders: The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding; Infant Mental Health; Family Partnerships; Circle of Security; Trauma; The Developmental Individual Difference, Relationship Based Approach (DIR)/ Floortime), Perceive, Recall, Plan Perform; Therapeutic Listening and Infant Massage. Gillian uses her vast experience and a broad range of evidence to make SENSE of complex mealtime difficulties. Gillian is co-director of Engaging Your Senses (http://www.facebook. com/ EngagingYourSenses). She supports teams and professionals across Australia and internationally to provide effective, holistic services for the whole family. Gillian is passionate about enabling families to experience nourishing and harmonious and daily routines.

Sue Saunders was one of the first IBCLC’s in WA in 1989. Since 1994 when she left WA, she has worked with families when breastfeeding and lactation are not going well. Sue has used the ‘I’, the ‘International’ in IBCLC in employment, self-employment and voluntary roles in Perth, England, West Africa, Penang and the Middle East. She is now back for good! Sue is a founding and honorary member of LCGB, the inaugural ILCA/ WABA Fellow in Penang, ILCA Board of Director for 5 years, Fellow of ILCA (FILCA), is currently a proof reader for a breastfeeding journal, a member of CLCWA and regional coordinator for LCANZ WA. As a Certified Infant Massage Instructor with IAIM, Sue facilitates the accredited five week First Touch Infant Massage program to encourage parents to use appropriate massage strokes and to recognise and respect their baby’s cues and behavioural states.