Louise Brandman is a nurse, midwife and the founder of the Breastfeeding Educator Hub, with over 18 years of experience supporting families through pregnancy and the early stages of parenthood. What began as a pivotal moment in a postnatal clinic, helping a mother breastfeed without pain, sparked a deep calling to help women through this challenging time. Passionate about breastfeeding support, and drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experiences, Louise has created a supportive space to empower and educate parents and professionals, making compassionate, accessible breastfeeding support available to families everywhere. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind her work, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The Passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
As a student midwife, I always dreamed of working in the labour ward, believing that was where “real” midwifery happened. But it was in a postnatal clinic where my journey truly began.
I vividly remember a moment when I encountered a woman struggling with breastfeeding. I offered to help by adjusting her position, and her eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “That doesn’t hurt anymore!”.
After my own experience of less-than-ideal postnatal care after having my first child, I felt a deep calling to support women during this challenging time. That’s when my passion for breastfeeding support truly ignited and I never went back to the labour ward after that.
With 18 years of experience in the NHS as both a nurse and midwife, I often reflect on how I wish I could go back, both to when my children were younger and to my days as a newly qualified nurse in the neonatal unit. With the knowledge I have now, I would approach things differently. This insight is precisely why I created the Breastfeeding Educator Hub.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Launching my business was a big change. Leaving the NHS and jumping headfirst into self-employment was both exhilarating and daunting! This venture has truly been a year in the making, filled with dreams, planning and a lot of hard work to turn my vision into reality. I wanted to create a supportive space where both new parents and professionals could find reliable information, training and encouragement.
It’s amazing to see how my vision has unfolded, connecting families to the resources they need while empowering professionals with the knowledge to provide effective support.
The Innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Having been teaching UNICEF baby-friendly courses for several years within a hospital environment to both parents-to-be and professionals, and supporting new mothers via Zoom all over the world, I realised I could take this knowledge and pre-record it. This innovation allowed me to reach families and professionals everywhere, making breastfeeding education and support accessible and engaging, tailored to fit busy lifestyles.
Instead of traditional lectures, I designed courses that incorporate videos, webinars and community discussions, creating an interactive learning environment. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also means people can complete the course without having to leave the comfort of their home, and at a time to suit them.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balancing work and family is an art! With three daughters ranging from 4 to 14, I embrace the chaos by scheduling family time and creating boundaries.
Whether it’s a day out, family game night or a serene cup of tea, I ensure there’s time to recharge and enjoy the little moments. I often find that my children inspire my work; their curiosity and energy remind me of the importance of playfulness and compassion in our roles as nurturers. Plus, they have taught me to laugh through the challenges, reminding me that it’s okay to be imperfect! I also truly believe that I inspire them too, to work hard, having gained my masters in my 40s and then started a new career. I tell them that life is what you make of it.
