About me
I began my working life as a journalist, but after the births of my three children, I developed a fascination for all things birth and breastfeeding related and decided to train first as a birth doula and then as an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor.
From 2009 until the start of the pandemic, I facilitated antenatal breastfeeding classes, introducing solids workshops and parenting classes from my house in Queen’s Park (London, UK), where my husband and I have lived since 1998.
Every Tuesday, prior to the pandemic, I used to run a private breastfeeding drop-in from my home, with a team of eight IBCLC Lactation Consultants, including two tongue tie practitioners, and two cranial osteopaths.
In 2013, together with some clients of mine, I set up an online breastfeeding support group for local mothers; we now have over 2600 members.
From March 2020, when lockdown began, until the summer of 2021, I delivered weekly free antenatal Zoom sessions for Blossom Antenatal.
Because I’m in remission from lymphoma and how lowered immunity, I am currently facilitating all my antenatal breastfeeding workshops for NCT via Zoom. I’m also delivering my introducing solids workshops via Zoom for the time being.
I regularly attend conferences and courses on breastfeeding, infant nutrition and child development, to keep myself up-to-date with new research. I am fluent in French and Italian.
I found breastfeeding my three boys, who are now grown-up, very fulfilling, and I love helping other women have a positive experience of breastfeeding.
Nomination for ABM breastfeeding counsellor of the year 2019
“It is no exaggeration to say that Cordelia has saved the sanity of many women, who desperately wanted to breastfeed but were having significant difficulties. Using a calm, compassionate and evidence-based approach, Cordelia tailors the approach to the family and the child and she has a remarkable success rate.”
“She is a remarkable woman who has had a significant impact on the community and made a lasting contribution to the lives of many women and their babies.”
“She was 100% supportive, non-judgmental and was happy to spend as much time as was necessary until I felt sure I had the knack of the position. If I hadn’t had the help that day, I’m not sure that I would have been able to continue breastfeeding as I was in so much pain.”
“She made my breastfeeding journey happen. Without her I think I would have given up a lot earlier.”
“Truly, without Cordelia me and my growing family would not be as healthy or happy as we are today. She supports and wisely guides mothers at their most vulnerable moments so they can weather any storm. We would be lost without her breastfeeding knowledge, guidance and support. She is the most loving and genuine woman as well. Making her a truly unique and special person and volunteer.”
Nomination for NCT practitioner of the year 2018
“I’d like to nominate Cordelia Uys for the NCT Practitioner of the Year 2018. Cordelia is a breastfeeding counsellor for NCT Signature antenatal courses across the NW London and Hampstead & Camden branches and facilitates 3-4 sessions per month. She has supported in excess of 2,000 parents through NCT antenatal courses and countless more at her drop-in sessions held at her home. Her communication in advance of her classes and her follow-on support results in a high attendance rate at her sessions - for both partners.
In the 5 years that I have worked with Cordelia, she has provided dedicated, informed and generous support to local parents, both before and after the birth of their babies. In this time, appreciating that no 'one size fits all' she is extremely flexible in the support she provides. Increasingly, Cordelia is also running the reunion sessions for antenatal courses so that she can provide extra support in the early weeks of the babies’ lives. I have had a continual stream of positive feedback about Cordelia, and some most wonderful stories about how she has helped them.
One of her clients, Astrid, said: “I completely believe that the breastfeeding session gave me the most important learning during my whole pregnancy. I have thoroughly recommended friends and family to sign up to NCT courses precisely due to my positive experience at this specific session. It is not an overstatement to say that attending your course was a life-changing experience.”
Cordelia is a very experienced and highly-regarded breastfeeding counsellor for NCT, but more importantly she always puts her clients first and is an amazing source of help, care and support. I know that I can always call her for advice, no matter how trivial and she is always positive and helpful. She welcomes everyone and has been able to tailor sessions for same-sex couples, couples expecting a baby by surrogate and has adapted her material to help a sign-language interpreter.
Outside of her practitioner role, Cordelia runs regular drop-ins and makes herself available to parents on the phone when required. She has also set up a Facebook group for local breastfeeding mums, NWL Breastfeeding - 6 months and beyond, which now has over 700 members. She maintains the links between NCT and the wider midwifery scene through her work on the St Mary’s & Queen Charlotte’s joint Maternity Services Liaison Committee. Finally, one of our retired antenatal teachers (and independent lactation consultant) has recently booked her pregnant daughter onto an NCT Signature antenatal course and specifically asked for Cordelia to facilitate the breastfeeding session. Testament itself.”
- Clare
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Testimonials from clients:
“Hello!! Tomorrow is our daughter’s first birthday 🥺 We just wanted to say many, many thanks for all your support in her first year ❤️ much appreciated 🙏 PS: I am still breastfeeding and couldn't have done it without your support and guidance!”
Disha
“Hi Cordelia, I wanted to let you know that because of you, and the help you gave me with breastfeeding, I have decided to go on and support other women with their breastfeeding journeys. I’ve signed up to be a volunteer Infant Feeding Support Worker at my local hospital. I have my UNICEF training in February, and then start my role! x”
Jessie
“Our breastfeeding and introducing solids journeys would have not been the same without Cordelia and her drop in (for breastfeeding). I saw Cordelia for the first time when my nipples were cracked and bleeding and I almost gave up on breastfeeding because of excruciating pain. Within a week we got back on track and are still going strong. As for solids, my 10 months old girl is joining us for meals, and it’s the greatest pleasure to share our meals with her. She is an independent (doesn’t like to be spoon fed) and confident eater and we could not have been happier with how things go. Thank you, Cordelia, for all your and your groups support throughout these months.”
Anna
“Adam just turned one and we are still continuing our breastfeeding journey with bedtime and night feeds. I would have never thought we would get that far given the bumpy start with latching and tongue tie issues for the first three months. It’s all thanks to you and all the amazing women who work so hard to support families in the most critical and sensitive time of their lives! “
Anonymous
“I am so incredibly thankful to you for your support and your wonderful workshop – it was by far the most useful and helpful preparation for parenthood that we had, and the support you gave me when I was in hospital was simply life changing. If I had stopped breastfeeding then, like everyone around me kept saying I should, I think I would have sunk so deep down in depression that I’m not sure I would still be here.”
Eva
“Dear Cordelia, there are so many happy mummies and babies enjoying their breastfeeding journeys all thanks to you and the incredible work that you do”.
Laura
“This is a slightly random email as its O's first birthday on Friday which I can hardly believe! The occasion has brought with it lots of emotions and reflections on my part and I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you for all your amazing help in those first few trickier days. I couldn't have got all this way with the breastfeeding without your support and I am SO grateful to have been introduced to you and to have spoken on the phone from the hospital even when O was just 2 days old. I am still breastfeeding O and have loved it more than anything, and it's mostly in credit to you that I got this far. I feel proud of myself too, but honestly think you deserve an OBE for the amazing work you do with new mothers. It's amazing.”
- Angelica
“Cordelia was fantastic, she helped not only me but my partner Adam too. It is important to work as a team and important for Adam to see how to breastfeed correctly and to help when I felt defeated by guiding R in the correct placement. The first thing that Cordelia mentioned was that breastfeeding should not hurt or feel uncomfortable. R should not be sucking on my nipple but rather latching on to the breast with a big mouthful. We were showed two positions including the lying down one which enabled me to fall asleep (as I am in the recovery position it is impossible to roll over her) read a book and basically rest and feel very comfortable. Thank you once again Cordelia.”
- Laura
I wanted to thank you for your help, patience and advice early on. I feel very lucky for having been able to breastfeed E. I am glad he got the health benefits that go with breastfeeding - and enjoy the warm, comfortable, loving bond it has created between the two of us. And I feel very lucky to have had your advice so early in E's life. It made a massive difference to the past few months.”
- Roni
“I’ve been meaning to drop you a note for ages. O turned 2 in February. I'm still breastfeeding and have been referring back to my class notes as he's becoming increasingly independent and assertive! (The emails you sent after each class have been so helpful as I don't remember anything these days). Breastfeeding and how we are raising him is entirely down to you and I am so grateful. Just typing this has made me a little teary! We probably would have staggered down the depressingly well-worn path of Gina Ford and time outs if we hadn't come to your breastfeeding class. But instead, I see the benefits of continued breastfeeding and a different approach every day.”
- Samantha
“Had I not come to see you Cordelia Uys I would never have continued /managed to breastfeed my daughter. It was your spot-on diagnosis of a submucosal tongue tie that set us on the right road. Coming back week after week to your drop-in gave me the all-important support that I so needed as a new mum. It also prepared me for my son's arrival! He also had a submucosal tongue tie but had managed to wrap the umbilical cord round his neck 5 times, it was a natural birth and we were so very very lucky. He had trauma to his neck and it took us a while before breastfeeding was straight forward but having had your support with my daughter I knew it would get easier and now we can't stop!!!!!”
- Lisa
My husband and I have often talked about how glad we are that I did your baby-led weaning course, that he did your parenting course and that I follow your breastfeeding Facebook pages. There have been plenty of occasions where we have read or been told to do certain things as parents that we find uncomfortable and instead we have followed the responsive parenting philosophy and listened to our instincts, which has made us much happier parents and I believe, and our daughter into a much happier toddler. This is very much thanks to you, and I hope other mothers from other communities benefit from this too.
- Elsa
“A massive thank-you to you Cordelia. I rang you during your Sunday lunch from hospital where they were not willing to discharge us without giving formula and I didn't know what to do. Then when my baby was a few days old we spent a good few hours at your house trying to sort the latch out and getting a pump. It really was a lifeline. If I hadn’t had that level of support I would have given up. Thank you.”
- Kirsty
“With this message, I send Cordelia a real heartfelt thank you for the encouragement and strength she gave me which led me onto breastfeed my baby for a year. At nine months I was feeling calm, confident and at ease with motherhood and have come out of the journey feeling fulfilled and very happy for my own health and my baby’s. From the support in the early stages of tongue-tie through to technique and the countless calls and messages she responded to with helpful wisdom and evidence-based answers. Thank you so much Cordelia I really appreciate all of you and your team’s warm advice and welcoming arms.”
- Stefanie
“Cordelia, thanks for the amazing support yesterday! Your competence and love for what you do really made those hours very special for us!”
- Gabriel
“The good news is E is now fully breastfed which I’m really happy about. He’s also putting on a good amount of weight (just been weighted yesterday) so it seems like it’s working. I just wanted to thank you for the work you do and for the invaluable support you’ve given us. I found your approach extremely encouraging which I believe helped us to move from the bottle back to breast without stress or guilt and both E and I now find breastfeeding an enjoyable experience.”
- Katya
“Hola Cordelia. A is growing fast and healthy and we are all very happy chicks. BLW is amazing, I love it! I’ve been thinking how lucky I was to have you as our breastfeeding counsellor and more…cos I always remember your wise advice.”
- Marian
“Babies and boobs are such clever things, it never ceases to amaze me! I just feel sad that not everyone has access to such fantastic expert advice and a support network like the one you have created - I can totally see why some women never end up breastfeeding or give up before they want to. I feel very lucky to have been pointed in your direction all those months ago!”
- Natalie
“I really couldn’t have done it without your help and support, thank you Cordelia from the 3 of u!”
- Joanna
“Dear Cordelia, E turned one last week. Your support was invaluable during those hard first few weeks. I’m still breastfeeding E 3 or 4 time a day. Breastfeeding her is now so easy – it’s second nature, zero faff, free and convenient, like you said it would be and like we hoped it would be. Thank you so much again for all your friendly help.”
- Caterina
“I also want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you and your team give to all us mothers out there. If it wasn't for the support group, I'm not sure I would have persevered in the early days, due to tongue tie. You and your team at your drop in sessions really supported my journey and made me continue, and my daughter is happy and thriving, because of it. Your NCT class also made my husband feel like he had a role to play in this journey and has been so supportive of my breastfeeding. So thank you for normalising breastfeeding in that the struggles encountered by mothers are real and can be overcome with the right help and support. I find myself helping and supporting my friends who have had babies because I'm well equipped with the facts, and that's down to you.”
- Seema
“After attending your workshop, we followed BLW with both our daughters, currently aged 3.5 years and 7 months, and they are both not only adventurous eaters, but also brilliant at self-regulation (the latter more obvious with the toddler). My extended family has been so impressed and after explaining the principles of BLW to my 80-year old aunt as she watched the baby eat salmon with pea risotto, she said you were a very wise woman and I was incredibly lucky to have met you. I couldn’t agree more, particularly as I had a rocky start with my toddler between a complicated delivery 6 weeks prematurely and a delayed tongue tie diagnosis. Sometimes it takes someone else to remind us how grateful we are. Many thanks from me and my extended family for your counsel, kindness, and support. Your support has really made all the difference for my girls with regards to nursing and weaning. Erin We are so sad the parenting course is ending soon, but so grateful it exists! You have completely transformed the way we view parenting and breastfeeding for the better. Thank you so much.”
- Tiffany
“Dear Cordelia, thank you so much for the invite to the NWL breastfeeding group and also I wanted to thank you for your help when me and my husband and baby Z came to your walk in clinic. You were really a miracle worker with all your suggestions and I just wanted to say thank you. I have been singing your praises to every pregnant person I know so that they can come to you for help, as I feel we were very lucky indeed to have been able to access your knowledge and help. I will probably at some point come in for a few more questions when I can find the time! Best wishes to you and your fantastic team!”
- Natasha
“Dear Cordelia, I keep on thinking about you and how much you’ve helped myself and other mums and just wanted to send a quick hello. M has recently turned 9 months, and she has become such a chubby baby! We’re enjoying breastfeeding and I can’t even think that I wouldn’t have been able to experience this. Motherhood is something I’m growing into with time and this beautiful connection with a baby, and a feeling of complete fullness and happiness worth all the struggle. Wishing you a wonderful Mother’s Day, we all are so lucky to have you.”
- Natalia
“Dear Cordelia, when I first walked into your house, I had only been a mother for a few days; I was in love but exhausted, overwhelmed and in need of support. What I found was the most welcoming, warm and natural environment. You have continued to provide that through the weaning and parenting courses. I cannot thank you enough for all the kindness you have shown and for supporting my first trepid steps on this wonderful journey.”
- Georgia
“Thank you so much, for doing what you do and taking a lot of your time and energy to support us to continue not only feeding our babies, but connecting with them, cuddling them and enjoying the mutual love of comforting and being comforted by them all while breastfeeding.”
- S