Who is BoobieMilk?
BoobieMilk is a family run business located in West Kent providing a range of services for expectant parents and families with young children.
My name is Karen, and I live with my husband and 2 children in the Sevenoaks area. Although I grew up in Sevenoaks, I moved away to study Biology in Norwich, and completed further study in Nutrition and Public Health in Glasgow. I met my American born husband at the University of East Anglia, and we spent almost ten years living in Massachusetts and Maryland, where I registered as a licensed Nutritionist and started my training to become a Lactation Consultant.
In Maryland I worked as a Nutritionist for the government providing support to low income pregnant women and families with young children to improve their health and wellbeing (WIC Program). It was while I worked in Maryland that I started the first breastfeeding peer support programme in Anne Arundel County. During my 6 years managing the Anne Arundel County WIC Program, breastfeeding initiation rates increased from 46% to 69%. Families had access to breastfeeding support throughout pregnancy, during their stay in hospital for delivery, and then access to continuing support at groups, on the phone, and face to face with trained breastfeeding peer supporters and a Lactation Consultant. It was during my time in Maryland that I started an initiative that provided free nursing bras to breastfeeding mothers, and when I trained to fit nursing bras.
My family moved back to Kent in 2010, and it was in 2011 that BoobieMilk Ltd and my daughter were born. It was also the year that I trained with the NHS to become a breastfeeding peer supporter. My daughter and I then volunteered our time every week to support families at breastfeeding groups in Maidstone and Sevenoaks. I also completed training to be able to volunteer my time and support new families on the post-delivery ward at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury. In 2016, I also started volunteering on the post-delivery ward at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford.
Running my own business has given me many opportunities to learn new skills in website management, social media, marketing and promotion. I have also had the opportunity to travel across the South East to various baby show events in Kent, Sussex and London, and I’ve met some amazing and inspirational small business owners over the last 7+ years.
In 2014, I began working with PSBreastfeeding CIC, who were successful in their bid for the 3 year Kent Infant Feeding Services contract. During my time with PSBreastfeeding, I have managed the breastfeeding peer support programme across Kent (with over 250 passionate volunteers), providing accredited training and developing their skills through enrichments. In 2015 I successfully sat my Lactation Consultancy exam and became an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). As a Lactation Consultant, I have worked with families across Kent at local breastfeeding clinics and in their homes, as well as managing the website and Facebook page.
In 2016 and 2017, PSBreastfeeding CIC secured funding from the Sevenoaks Local Children’s Partnership Group and Dartford Borough Council to fund additional training for local volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters in sling knowledge and safety and to purchase slings and carriers so that we could set up a new sling library in West and North Kent. In 2016, I completed my peer support babywearing training alongside the volunteers, and in 2017, I completed a babywearing consultancy training programme with The School of Babywearing CIC. At this time, Kent Sling Library runs 13 monthly sling library events throughout Kent.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 7+ years building and developing BoobieMilk Ltd, and I look forward to adding new services and products to the brand now that I have more knowledge and skills to help, support and inform you and your family through your new, exciting adventures together.
Lactation Consultation – Help, information and support with breastfeeding from a Lactation Consultant during pregnancy and once baby arrives.
Babywearing Consultation – Help, information and support with using a sling or carrier to carry your baby or child in the most comfortable and safe way possible.
Maternity and Nursing Bra Fitting – Help with finding the perfect fit for bras throughout pregnancy and your breastfeeding journey.
Retail – Purchase nursing bras, vests and nightwear for pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as stretchy wraps and buckle carriers for your baby and child.
My Family:
Karen, William (January 2008), Ellie (April 2011)
Taken by Ryan (Husband since 2002!!)
Thank You for visiting, I hope you enjoy your shopping experience. Take a few minutes to look through the great choices in Nursing Bras, Sleep Bras, Nursing Sports Bras Nursing Vests from Hotmilk, Bravado, Emma-Jane, Carriwell and SportJock. I want you to find your perfect fit, so I provide unlimited free exchanges on all nursing bras, sleep bras, nursing sports bras and nursing vests. Each and every nursing bra and nursing vest available on this website has been tested, reviewed and approved by me, a breastfeeding Mum. I also provide Free in-home fittings in and around Kent.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.
Happy Nursing
Karen xoxo