My Journey to IBCLC Lactation Consultant

My journey into supporting parents didn’t start in a clinic — it started as a new mother.

The support I received from my local breastfeeding community made a huge difference to my own feeding journey. It inspired me to train as a breastfeeding peer supporter, running community groups and volunteering on the postnatal ward to support new families.

That experience sparked a passion that led me to train as a midwife, and later to qualify as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) — the highest internationally recognised qualification in lactation care.

Today, I combine clinical expertise, community support experience, and lived experience as a mother to offer compassionate, holistic support for families throughout pregnancy, birth, and early parenting.

I’m Abigail Ruffy — a midwife, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), antenatal educator, hypnobirthing instructor, and mother.

I am fully insured and registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain, as well as holding IBCLC certification.
This means you can feel confident you’re receiving safe, accountable, and highly skilled support.

I am also currently training to become a Birth Trauma Resolution Practitioner, expanding the support I can offer to parents who have experienced difficult or distressing birth journeys

I bring together professional experience, personal insight, and specialist training to support families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenting.

Alongside my midwifery and IBCLC practice, I am:

Antenatal teacher and Hypnobirthing instructor, guiding parents to feel confident and calm during pregnancy and birth

NIPE practitioner, trained in the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination, allowing me to assess babies holistically

Currently training as a Birth Trauma Resolution Practitioner, expanding my ability to support parents emotionally after difficult or challenging birth experiences

Experienced in biomechanics for birth and alternative therapies including aromatherapy and moxibustion, offering gentle, evidence-informed options to enhance comfort and wellbeing

I believe that every family is unique, and my role is to provide compassionate, personalised support across feeding, birth preparation, and early parenting.