The Doula Element - Nikki Mather IBCLC, Water Lane, Wilmslow (2025)

Nikki provides education, support and training to new parents in pregnancy and beyond. Nikki Mather IBCLC
Cheshire & Manchester Infant Feeding and Doula Service at The Doula Element

Women have been supported by other women, usually aunts, neighbours, friends, mothers or grandmothers during childbirth and postnatal period for centuries and differing trends throughout the decades saw this type of support wane as a more medicalised birth was introduced as hospital clinics and maternity units increased. I believe women should continue to have access to that one to one support, whether she is a family member, a friend or a professional doula. Birth can be an amazing, transitional experience. As a doula across the North West I am available for emotional support, guidance and can also provide educational tools to help you with your transition from womanhood to motherhood and also support your partner or older siblings. I have supported women who would like a natural birth as well as women who opt for elective caesareans. My role is flexible and your support package can be tailored to suit your families needs.

10/11/2025

Join us in a collective of birth workers, Midwives, doctors, parents and those who want to make a difference to the current climate within Maternity Services

https://openletter.earth/an-open-letter-on-birth-in-defence-of-midwives-mothers-and-the-truth-b6b91d96

26/09/2025

✨ Here are a few ways to know your baby is thriving:

Plenty of wet and dirty nappies 👶

Baby is content and settled after feeds 😊

They are alert and active when awake 👀

Steady weight gain 📈

It's easy to worry, but many things you might notice are perfectly normal signs of a healthy feeding journey.

For example, frequent "cluster" feeding is common and helps to build your milk supply, especially in the early weeks and works well for babies in the evening who are bottle or breastfeeding feeding to have the pattern they need in the evening to sleep well for an initial longer stretch of sleep.

Your breasts might also feel softer after the initial period of engorgement, which is a sign that your supply has regulated to your baby's needs.

Remember that the amount of milk you can pump is not an accurate measure of your overall supply, and a baby taking a bottle after a breastfeed isn't always a sign of hunger.

By looking at the big picture—your baby's nappies, their general contentment, and their growth over time—you can feel confident that they are getting everything they need.

13/06/2025

Thinking about breastfeeding? Not sure about combination feeding? Worried about safe formula preparation?

A pregnancy visit with a lactation consultant is a game-changer! 🤱

Here are 8 things you can avoid by getting support before baby arrives:
1️⃣ Painful feeds & ni**le trauma
2️⃣ The "is my baby getting enough?" panic
3️⃣ Unnecessary supplementation
4️⃣ Severe engorgement
5️⃣ Pumping & milk storage confusion
6️⃣ A stressful return to work
7️⃣ Undiagnosed issues like oral dysfunction or latch on breast/bottle
8️⃣ Feeling isolated & overwhelmed

Ready to feel confident and prepared? Book an antenatal lactation visit & have support from the first hours

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07/06/2025

Let's bust the myth: "You can't pump until 6 weeks."

While this advice might be useful for parents who feed their baby without a challenge, it's not always helpful for new parents and babies with feeding or health challenges. Every feeding journey is unique, and what works for one mum might not work for another.

Here's why this blanket statement can be unhelpful:

**Individual needs: Some moms might need to pump earlier due to medical reasons, babies who are in NICU for a short or longer stay, returning to work, or simply to build a milk stash for use when needed.
**Supply and demand: Pumping can help regulate milk supply, especially in the early days when your body is adjusting to breastfeeding and is especially useful if baby is finding things difficult due to low birth weight, early gestation or tongue tie.
**Breastfeeding challenges: If you're facing difficulties like engorgement, mastitis, slow weight gain, or low milk supply, pumping can be a helpful tool to manage these issues.

Important to remember: Every family is different. If you're unsure, consult with a lactation consultant who can provide personalised guidance for your personal situation.

04/06/2025

Is feeding time more frantic than calm? 🌪️
Does your baby seem constantly unsettled?

That gulping sound, the fussiness at the breast or bottle, the short feeds followed by another feed an hour later... it can be exhausting!
If your baby swallows a lot of air during feeds, it can make them feel full before they are, leading to a cycle of frequent, "snacky" feeds and unpredictable sleep. 😴

Recognise any of these?
✨ Vomiting or lots of possetting?
✨ Grumbles, groans, and grunts?
✨ Green poops?
✨ Struggling with bowel movements?
✨ "Snacking" feeds rather than full ones?
✨ Feeding again... and again?
✨ Appearing "full" super quickly?
✨ Noisy or rapid "guzzling" feeds?
✨ Hearing milk hit their tummy?
✨ Unsettled when laid down flat?
✨ Pulling away from breast or bottle?
✨ General fussiness during or after feeds?
✨ Feeds that seem to last forever?
✨ Hard to "fill up" your little one?
✨ Strong need to suck post-feed (breast, dummy, finger)?
✨ A bloated, tight tummy?
✨ A very noisy sleeper?
✨ Only content with contact naps? (Lovely, but if they can't sleep otherwise, it might be discomfort!)

You're not imagining it, and you don't have to go through it alone.

Want to understand what's going on and find ways to make feeding a more peaceful experience for both of you? I'm here to help. Tap the link in my bio to book a session and let's get your windy baby feeling more comfortable! 💖

Address

Water Lane
Wilmslow
SK95BB

Telephone

+447421991158

Website

http://thedoulaelement.co.uk/, http://thebabyelement.co.uk/

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