The Baby Website - About Sharon Trotter

About Sharon Trotter - Our Expert

Sharon trained as a general nurse at the Dorset School of Nursing in 1979.

She moved to London in 1983 to complete her midwifery training at Queen Charlottes Maternity Hospital and following her marriage to Aidan in 1984, moved to Scotland. Sharon and her family now live on the west coast, where she has worked at the local maternity unit for over 20 years, in between bringing up four children. Calum, Aidan and Sharon's first son, died age three weeks. Sharon recently returned to Paisley University to complete her BSc in Advanced Studies in Midwifery and graduated in November 2005.

Her other area of expertise is neonatal skincare and cord care and her work has been published in several professional journals.

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Guidelines derived from Sharon's work form the basis of a new policy on skincare and cord care which has now been implemented within her local NHS organization.

Sharon has also written an informative leaflet for parents and professionals called 'Babycare - Back to Basics'.

These guidelines advocate the use of a 'water-only ' regime for baby skincare during at least the first month of life. It is hoped that this will soon become standard practice in all maternity units and lead to a fall in the development of skin conditions during the early years of life and beyond.

Journey to publication:

"I have been involved with the education and support of breastfeeding mothers for well over 20 years. As a midwife, this has been just one part of a very rewarding career. As a mother, having breastfed my own children for a combined total of seven years, it has become a lot more.

I am not saying that you have to experience breastfeeding in order to teach other mums, but it definitely helps. Most of the trials and tribulations so many women encounter on their road to successful breastfeeding have also happened to me. This is why I understand the highs and lows so well and can hopefully guide mums (and Dads!) through. I also understand that 'real life' does not include a nanny or constant support from friends and relatives. Real life means juggling work, home, other children and family life. It is exhausting!

So how can breastfeeding really fit into a busy mum's life when it appears to take up so much time? This is what I want to de-mystify.

Once established, breastfeeding is the best stress-buster around! The natural 'high' that occurs with every feed is available on tap whenever mum and baby need it. More importantly it is free and should be enjoyed by all. So many mums have told me that they regret not having persevered with breastfeeding and that they wished my tips had been around when they needed them. This is why I am determined to spread the word about the pleasurable side of breastfeeding which is so often overlooked. Not only is it best for your baby, but it is best for mum too!

In 2002 I wrote down my experiences, as a way of introducing breastfeeding to women. My book is easy-to-read and combines all the 'tricks of the trade'. It is evidence-based and would be an ideal introduction for student midwives, midwives, health visitors and anyone involved in the support of breastfeeding mums. Following extensive market research over a two year period, my book evolved and is now available to buy. I hope that my enthusiasm for breastfeeding shines through every page, encouraging mums to give breastfeeding a try."

Sharon's book went on sale at

In November 2005 and quickly made it to the top 10 best selling breastfeeding books from 441 other titles. This position has been maintained ever since and in the past few weeks 'Breastfeeding: the essential guide' has been added to the listings on book giants

in the USA. It is hoped that the American market will soon be enjoying Sharon 's common-sense approach to breastfeeding.

2007

Sharon Trotter: