Recently, I had the privilege of being interviewed by The Natural Parent Magazine, a fantastic platform that celebrates parents, caregivers, and professionals who are working to make family life a little easier. I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the interview, share some of the content, and give a bit of insight into what drives me and Milk to Mealtime.
A personal passion
During the interview, I was asked about the passion behind starting my business. For me, the journey to founding Milk to Mealtime was a very personal one. As a Speech and Language Therapist specialising in Dysphagia for over a decade, I’ve worked with countless families struggling with feeding challenges. These families have shown me that feeding isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about connection, growth, and wellbeing. I felt strongly that there had to be a way to offer more personalised, flexible support for a broader range of families and that's why I started Milk to Mealtime.
Many parents aren’t aware of the different types of support available to help with feeding issues, and often they feel isolated, thinking their child’s struggles are just “part of parenting.” Feeding challenges are more common than people realise. In fact, as many as 50% of typically developing infants and children experience difficulties at some point. Through this interview, I wanted to let families know they’re not alone—and that there are solutions.
My motivation for going independent
One of the key themes we discussed was why I decided to move away from the public sector and start something on my own. The truth is, I’ve always loved my work within the NHS (and I plan to continue this work throughout my career), and I’m proud of what the public sector offers. But over time, the increasing pressure on resources has meant that many families who desperately needed help were waiting too long or couldn’t access the support they needed. That’s when I made the decision to create a service that could offer families timely, in-depth, and consistent care to complement the important work, in the amazing team I work in within the NHS. At Milk to Mealtime, I can work with families on their schedule and for as long as they need—something that has become more challenging in traditional settings.
Of course, making the leap hasn't been without its challenges. Setting up a business is not something I had experience with, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I didn’t have a formal launch, just a website and a few social media posts, but the support from the community has been overwhelming. This interview reminded me just how far Milk to Mealtime has come, even though it still feels like the beginning.
What I offer to families
Another important part of the interview was sharing what I offer to families through Milk to Mealtime. My goal is to take a holistic approach to feeding challenges. Feeding difficulties aren’t just about picky eating or trouble with breastfeeding—there’s so much more to it. I use my background in Speech and Language Therapy to assess every aspect of a child’s feeding experience, including anatomy, motor skills, sensory needs, and emotional factors. This level of detail can make a world of difference in understanding why a child may be struggling and how we can help.
Many families might not realise that specialists like myself can work with them remotely. Thanks to technology, I can conduct observational assessments using video footage, ensuring that no family misses out on support because of location. The feedback from families has been incredibly positive, and I always provide a written summary and therapy plan after every initial consultation so that parents feel supported and have a clear direction.
The challenges of running a business
One question that really made me reflect was about the challenges I’ve faced as a business owner. Running Milk to Mealtime while balancing my family life has certainly been an adventure. I’m a mum too, so I know the pressures parents feel when things don’t go as planned. For me, creating time for my business, my day job and most importantly, my family, is a constant juggling act, and I’m still learning how to find the right balance. However, it’s a challenge I’m willing to face because I love what I do. Helping families overcome feeding difficulties is my passion, and every small win with a family makes the late nights and busy days worth it.
Looking to the future
When asked about my hopes and dreams for Milk to Mealtime, I couldn’t help but feel excited. There’s so much more I want to do to help families. I’m working on launching some online therapy programmes, which will offer flexible, affordable support that parents can access in their own time. These programmes are designed to empower parents with knowledge and tools, and I hope they will make a real difference to families who may not be able to access one-on-one consultations as easily.
Beyond that, I’m dreaming big—collaborations, workshops, and wider outreach to make feeding support more accessible to families everywhere. I would love to see Milk to Mealtime grow into a community where parents feel heard, supported, and understood.
Thank you for the support
Being featured in The Natural Parent Magazine is a milestone for me and my business. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my story and to reach even more families who might be looking for support. You'll be able to read the full interview and learn more about the work I do at https://thenaturalparentmagazine.com/ one the issue is released.
You can also follow my journey on Instagram @milktomealtime, where I share tips, strategies, and the occasional exclusive offer.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far—whether you’ve been a client, a follower, or a fellow professional. I can’t wait to see where Milk to Mealtime goes next!
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