Lucy Pedder
As a perinatal practitioner and doula, I offer unconditional, non-judgemental support, self-help strategies, and evidence-based information to parents-to-be and newborn families across Derbyshire and beyond.
I live in Belper with my partner, two children, a dog and two cats.
I’ve been working with parents in the transition to parenthood since 2006 when my first baby was born. Following a career in higher education (I taught anatomy and physiology at City University) I found myself on maternity leave. Inspired by my antenatal course, I joined NCT as a volunteer and was soon running postnatal support groups, organising branch events, and working on my face painting skills. I quickly realised that I needed to do more to support new families so, following the birth of my second child, I trained with ABM as a mother supporter and with UNICEF and the NHS as a Breastfeeding Buddy. By 2015 I was training with NCT to become an Antenatal Practitioner, and in 2017 I added Postnatal Practitioner to my qualifications.
In 2020, the first year of the Covid pandemic, I was appalled but how little support there was for families in the transition to parenthood. It seemed clear that the pressure of the virus on the NHS had exposed and intensified a massive preexisting problem. I knew I needed to do more work one to one with expectant and new families so I embarked on my Birth and Postnatal Doula journey with Developing Doulas. I run antenatal and postnatal courses and sessions across the region, including the weekly Belper Baby Club, as well as supporting women and birthing people as they meet their babies. I am an accredited Rebozo practitioner and a 3-Step Rewind birth trauma release practitioner. I am also a Slingababy babywearing consultant.
In 2022 I trained with Toddle Talk as a baby signing teacher, offering fun, accessible BSL baby signing classes for babies aged 5 months to 3 years and their grown-ups
Please visit my shop page to see my artistic endeavours as The Crafty Lucy.
Lucy is the reassuring hand on your shoulder and calm voice whispering “you’ve got this!” in your ear whilst nativating the unknown waters of Parenting. In a world of unsolicited advice from everyone you meet and social media ‘perfect parents’ it can be difficult to know how you really want to parent your child. Lucy helps empower you to make the right decisions for your family whilst offering practical solutions that can help make it easier for you to reach your goals. Lucy has worked with us on and off from when my daughter was a sleepless newborn struggling with bfeeding right up to now she’s a sleep hating toddler! The challenges change but I always feel re-energized after a session with Lucy. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Emma 2022
Qualifications, Training and CPD
I aim to keep my knowledge and training as up to date and relevant as possible.
Here are details of my relevant qualifications and training, as well as CPD study days and courses I have completed:
May 2022
January 2022
Laid Back Breastfeeding workshop
October 2021
Midwifery and Obstetric Update - High BMI & Gestational Diabetes
NCT study day
September 2021
Supporting new parents’ wellbeing amidst Covid and beyond
Research summary from the Surrey Perinatal Impact Partnership
June 2021:
Postnatal Mental Health in Dads
NCT study day
April 2021
Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre (DISC) Conference
Online research showcase
February 2021
"Don’t Hold Your Breath" workshop - Breathing for relaxation.
Online study day
November 2020
Qualified as a Babywearing Consultant
November 2020
Qualified as a birth and postnatal doula
September 2020
Introducing Solid Food
NCT Module
July 2020
Babies and Covid-19 – The Impact and Issues
Royal Society of Medicine
June 2020
Informed Decision Making
NCT Study Day
February 2020
Induction of Labour
NCT Study Day
February 2020
Qualified as a 3 Step Rewind – Birth Trauma Release Practitioner
January 2020
Beyond Rebozo – Scarf Massage Workshop
Nicola Nelson, The Way of the Koi, RCM Accredited
January 2020
Group B Strep
NCT Study Day
January 2020
The Infant Microbiome
December 2019
Sling Library Training
NCT Module
September 2019
Empowering Parents to make Informed Decisions
NCT Module
July 2019
Attained “Excellent Practitioner” status in my NCT Postnatal Practitioner role
November 2018
Twins & Multiples
NCT Module
March 2018
Happy And Healthy After Childbirth
NCT Study Day
July 2017
Completed Level 5 NCT Postnatal Practitioner
Worcester University
June 2017
Loss Study Day
NCT Study Day
July 2016
Completed Level 4 Cert-HE NCT Birth and Beyond Practitioner
Worcester University
September 2015
Started training with NCT
June 2013
Qualified as an ABM Mother Supporter
March 2013
Completed UNICEF Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddy (peer support) training.