Alex Dawson, Neonatal Feeding Specialist

My background is high dependency nursing; where I fostered an interest in family focussed care. I moved to Neonates as I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to make a difference and build my career.

After having my own children, feeding became a particular interest of mine.  I appreciated the magnitude of expressing and breastfeeding a baby who was in Neonatal care. I did lots of training around breastfeeding and nutrition for preterm infants gaining lactation specific training via a Breastfeeding London Course and then completed my lactation consultant exam.

My job as Neonatal Feeding Specialist is varied.  A typical day: Monday begins with checking in with the feeding team, emails, and referrals from parents answering any urgent queries and checking my diary. I also check the latest evidence and sources surrounding feeding, updates and any public health notices and network meetings I need to attend. I aim to ensure all communications are passed on to the team. I will have a quick meeting with either the medical team or Nurse in Charge to discuss any priorities for the day or Consultant on service who highlights anything that is of issue.

Then it is the ward round, supporting the MDT with babies who are more complex feeding close to discharge. I will answer queries, support breastfeeding of complex babies and suggest ways to maximize breastmilk if possible. Once this is done every parent on NICU is supported ensuring that initiating lactation or maintaining milk production is going smoothly. I then will see specific parents who perhaps need a feed observed.  I will ensure that parents express/feeding plans are up to date and suggest ways to boost lactation/ support feeding and the transition to breastfeeding for those on the unit. I then see inpatient parents of NICU babies and liaise with maternity colleagues to support successful feeding. I liaise closely with Perinatal Mental Health and family charities who can support parents’ on going needs. I facilitate breastmilk donation and work closely with local hospitals to support this provision.

Other work involves education sessions and working on projects such as UNICEF Baby Friendly and locally driven initiatives to support long term health

I am absolutely privileged to work in NICU. I love making a difference and supporting families overcome any difficulties to breastfeed, express, bottle feed successfully from NICU. I urge anyone with a passion for providing the best care to choose a career in Neonates. I have been fully supported every step of my career and am looking forward to the next challenge ahead.