Expert Panelists

Our Expert Panel

All of our medical articles are written by experts and reviewed by a medical advisory board composed of experts in women's and children's health and development.

As well as our Medical Advisory Board, many of our articles and features are written by leading experts in the field. These include doctors, midwives, health visitors, breastfeeding specialists, and authors of best-selling health and baby books.

BabyCenter Canada Editorial Team Our panel of health writers	The BabyCenter Canada Editorial Team includes writers and editors with a background in service journalism, online and in print, and women's health.
BabyCentre UK Editorial Team Our panel of health writers	The BabyCentre UK Editorial Team includes antenatal teachers, as well as writers and editors with a background in mother and baby magazines, professional journals and book publishing.
Andrew Adesman Pediatric development expert	Dr Andrew Adesman is chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park, New York, and associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Adesman also serves as director of the Adoption Evaluation Center and the neonatal developmental follow-up program at Schneider Children's Hospital. His work for the center, which includes assessing the medical and developmental status of children available for adoption and counseling parents about the potential short- and long-term implications of biological and environmental factors, has been featured in the New York Times. His current research focuses on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and he is active in community outreach and parent and teacher education about ADHD.
Hamed Al-Taher BabyCenter's expert obstetrician and gynecologist	Hamed Al-Taher is a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, in Norfolk. His specialities include fertility and urogynaecology. He studied at Cairo University, Egypt and Liverpool University. Hamed's research interests include a study on multiple courses of steroids in pregnancy and its effect on premature birth and birth weight (MACS study) and an international study on ways of delivering twins, with the University of Toronto. He contributed four chapters to the book Managing Childbirth Emergencies in Community Settings, published by Macmillan in 2005. He is an examiner for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a teacher and assessor for medical students at Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia.
Dr Philip Anderson, DDS Family dentist	Dr. Anderson is a general family dentist practicing in Toronto, Ontario. He is a graduate of the Schulich school of Medicine and Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario. He is an active member of The Ontario Dental Association, The Academy of General Dentistry, and The Canadian Dental Association. His practice treats patients from 2 to 102 years of age, and always utilizes the most up-to-date technology and information to better the community's health.
Kerry Barlow, ND Naturopathic doctor	Dr. Barlow is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Toronto, Ontario. She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and is a member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Doctors (CCNM). Since graduating in 2006, she has enjoyed practicing Naturopathic Medicine with a focus on family health. In addition to practice, Kerry is an instructor within the botanical medicine stream at the CCNM, and co-authored the textbook “The Principles and Practice of Naturopathic Botanical Medicine”. Kerry is the proud mom of two spirited daughters.
Karen Bates, MA; DPSM; RM; RGN Midwife	Karen Bates is a lecturer in Midwifery at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Karen qualified as a nurse in London in the early 1980s. Since becoming a midwife in 1989, she has practised within the NHS and the Royal Air Force. Her experience has been predominantly in a labour ward setting, but she has also worked in a team of midwives offering a home birth service. Since 1999, she has been a lecturer in Midwifery at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Karen says: "I enjoy the challenges of working with students and find their questions constantly keep me questioning practice related issues." As well as lecturing, Karen still practises midwifery as a bank midwife. She says: "I am interested in all areas of midwifery practice, but my specialist areas are labour and delivery issues. I am committed to ensuring women receive the very best quality of maternity care that any one individual, or any health care system can provide."
Alison Bourne, MA BsC MSCP SRP ACPWH Women's health, physiotherapist	Alison Bourne currently works as a Senior Physiotherapist in Women's Health at The Royal Hospital, Chesterfield. At the Royal, her work involves delivering and managing an antenatal and post-natal service to both in- and out-patients and providing evidence-based advice and training to other health professionals. Her current projects include researching any possible link between mode of delivery and the longevity of pelvic joint complaints and the establishment of an antenatal incontinence clinic. She also regularly takes Parentcraft classes with midwives and provides training for other physiotherapists in antenatal education. After graduating from Cambridge University with an English degree, Alison qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from the University of East Anglia in 1997. She became a Senior Physiotherapist in the musculoskeletal field after 18 months and soon began to develop a "back pain in pregnancy" service, branching out into the field of Women's Health. In 2000, Alison completed a Master's level Certificate in Manipulative Therapy prior to undertaking the post-registration Women's Health course at Bradford University, thereby gaining full membership of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health. Alison has two children, Lucy, born in 2001, and Alex, born in 2004.
Heather Brown Consultant obstetrician and gynecologist	Heather Brown is a UK based consultant obstetrician and gynecologist working at both the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital in Hayward's Heath. Heather is the labour ward lead for both hospitals. Her area of special interest is pediatric and adolescent gynecology.
Monika Celebi Parent-infant psychotherapist	Monika Celebi has pioneered groups at the Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP) and developed the OXPIP Parent Infant Group Training for Early Years Professionals (UK). She is currently further developing the training of video interaction guiders and supervisors in Tower Hamlets, London. She has presented her work at conferences and published articles for early years' professionals and for parents. Further information can be found on www.monikacelebi.com.
Edward Christophersen Clinical psychologist	Edward R. Christophersen, Ph.D., is a board-certified clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine. Christophersen is a fellow in clinical psychology at the American Psychological Association and was elected an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics because of his unique and substantial contributions in the area of child health.
Julie Clark Baby-led weaning expert	Julie Clark is a UK registered nutritional therapist specialising in family health. She studied nutrition at Thames Valley University and graduated with a BSc in Nutritional Medicine. Julie's book Baby Led Weaning Step by Step was published in 2014. Her interests lie in helping babies get the best possible dietary start as well as specialising in fertility, pregnancy, children's health, baby-led weaning, fussy eating and mums' wellbeing. Her clinic is based in Whitstable, Kent where she lives with her husband and two children.
Suzanne Dixon Pediatrician	Suzanne Dixon, M.D., MPH, is on the clinical faculty of the University of Washington and is a professor emerita of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. She serves as a consultant on child health and development in the U.S. and abroad, and has a private practice in behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana. Dixon is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, where she has served on the national early childhood committee and on the executive committee of the AAP section on behavioral and developmental pediatrics. She has served on the executive council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and is a member of the Society for Research in Child Development, the Society for Pediatric Research, and the American Public Health Association.
Laura Fijolek McKain Obstetrician-gynecologist	Laura Fijolek McKain, M.D., is an obstetrician / gynecologist in private practice in Wilmington, North Carolina. She attended medical school at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Medical College of Virginia. She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her clinical interests include adolescent gynecology, teen pregnancy prevention, and women's health maintenance. McKain says that her own pregnancy, labor, and delivery have been some of her most valuable educational experiences. "Becoming a mother has made me a better doctor!" She lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with her husband Ken and her daughter Ruby.
Jane Fleming Midwife and breastfeeding counsellor	Jane Fleming was born in Leeds in 1957. She graduated from Edinburgh University with a BSc Soc Sci in Nursing and Social Administration in 1979 and went on to gain her RGN and District Nursing Certificate in 1981. Jane trained as a midwife in Perth, Scotland in 1982 and worked as a midwife from 1982 - 1987 with a break for maternity leave in 1986 when Joanna was born. Jane then took a career break for the birth of James in 1987 and Elizabeth in 1989. Jane returned to work as a midwife in Perth Royal Infirmary in 1991. Since 1996, she has been working as a community midwife and has been involved with antenatal and postnatal care, parenting classes and several home confinements. Jane is a member of the Perth Joint Breastfeeding Initiative, a breastfeeding counsellor with the National Childbirth Trust and an associate member of The Breastfeeding Network.
Gillian Fletcher, MCSP Obstetric Physiotherapist, antenatal and postnatal exercise teacher	Gillian Fletcher trained as a physiotherapist at St Mary's Hospital in London and since 1971, following the birth of the first of her three sons, has worked in the childbirth field. She trained as a National Childbirth Trust (NCT) teacher qualifying in 1973 and 26 years on still enjoys meeting expectant parents and helping them prepare for the birth of their baby. She completed her post-registration course in Physiotherapy in Women's Health in 1987 and became a tutor for the NCT responsible for training other antenatal teachers. She set up the NCT antenatal training programme in Europe and, with a physiotherapy colleague, she designed the NCT postnatal exercise teacher training course which led to the establishment of the Guild of Postnatal Exercise Teachers. Gillian is Joint Chairperson. She is the author of Get Into Shape After Childbirth.
Fiona Ford, MSc State Registered Dietician	Fiona Ford is a State Registered Dietician and also has a Master's degree in Health Research. Her interest in pregnancy nutrition started back in the early 1980s when she undertook some research with an obstetrician who had just returned to the UK after working in Kenya. He had noted that gestational diabetes was unheard of among pregnant women in Kenya, but occurred frequently in the UK. She started some research to manipulate the dietary fibre and refined sugar intake of pregnant women and found that gestational diabetes could be prevented in some pregnant women. Fiona now works at the Centre for Pregnancy Nutrition, which was created in 1990 at the University of Sheffield. Among other things, the Centre hosts the national Sainsbury's/Wellbeing Eating for Pregnancy helpline and undertakes a range of health promotion activities. Her current research interests include advising a strategic group on nutrition interventions that could contribute to a reduction in the incidence of low birth weight and preterm babies in Sheffield.
Adam Fox, MA MSc MB BS DCH FRCPCH FHEA Dip Allergy Consultant paediatric allergist	Dr Adam Fox graduated from Cambridge University with double honours in Medical and Neurosciences before completing his clinical medical training at University College London. He trained in Paediatrics and then Paediatric Allergy in some of the country's leading teaching hospitals including Great Ormond Street Hospital, St Mary's and the Royal Free Hospital. He is now a consultant paediatric allergist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals. Adam is also an honorary senior lecturer in paediatric allergy at King's College London.
Claire Friars Midwife	Claire Friars studied for three years at King's College London to become a midwife. From there she went to work on the busy Labour ward at Lewisham Hospital in south-east London, and then to her favourite area of midwifery out in the community. She enjoyed seeing women through from early pregnancy to visiting the mums and their babies at home. Now Claire works as the manager for Tommy's pregnancy information line.
Amin Gafar Consultant obstetrician and gynecologist	Amin Gafar has an interest in fertility and assisted reproduction techniques, and is an expert in reproductive laparoscopic surgery and reproductive immunology. Amin has a special interest in the area of repeated IVF failures and recurrent pregnancy loss following IVF. Amin is the medical director of the New Life fertility clinic in Surrey, U.K. and regularly contributes to international medical journals, as well as attending international conferences and workshops.
David Geller, M.D. Pediatrician	David S. Geller, M.D., originally from Maine, completed his undergraduate work at Brandeis University. After attending the Boston University School of Medicine, he stayed in Boston to complete his residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1996. Since completing his training, he has been working at a pediatric group practice in Bedford, Massachusetts. His practice offers a full range of pediatric care, including newborn, well child, and adolescent care. He is on staff at a number of Boston hospitals, including Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. He also teaches medical students at Harvard Medical School. Geller is board certified and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to his personal interest in athletics, Geller also has an interest in sports medicine. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their young daughters, Hannah and Jocelyn.
Penney Hames Clinical child psychologist and journalist	Penney Hames trained first as a journalist and later as a clinical child psychologist, and has followed both her interests by writing about children and their parents. Penney is the author of the NCT Book of Sleep and the NCT Book of Toddler Tantrums. She is also the co-author of the NCT Complete Book of Babycare. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and two children, Beany and Richard.
Chrissie Hammonds, RGN RM MSc Medical Ultrasound (Obstetrics) Midwife sonographer	Chrissie Hammonds is a midwife sonographer in Bristol. She first trained as a nurse and midwife before becoming involved in ultrasound in 1990. She found this rapidly developing area of antenatal screening both fascinating and exciting, and now leads a team of midwives and radiographers to provide a comprehensive scan service for 6,000 women each year in North Bristol. She has specialised further into other areas such as nuchal translucency scanning and now also works as a midwife-specialist for BUPA. After completing a Master of Science degree in Medical Ultrasound in 2000 at the University of Derby, Chrissie helped set up a postgraduate course in ultrasound at the University of the West of England where she is now an occasional lecturer, as well as teaching and assessing ultrasound students in the clinical field.
Richard Gilham child psychologist	Richard Gilham qualified as an educational psychologist in 1990 and as a clinical psychologist in 1998. Since then, he has worked in Norfolk with children and adolescents with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties. More recently, Richard has been working for Children Assessment and Therapy Services, which assesses children with neuro-developmental disorders, including autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Richard is currently a consultant clinical psychologist in the NHS. He is an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society and an honorary senior lecturer at the Norfolk and Norwich University Medical School.
Katherine Hutka In-car safety advisor	Katherine Hutka is a Health Promotion Specialist for Child Safety Link, a children's injury prevention centre at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Katherine has served as president of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada since September 2014.
Sally Inch BabyCenter's breastfeeding expert	Sally is a specialist midwife with expertise in breastfeeding. She has written several books on the topic, including one that is now the standard textbook for midwives on breastfeeding in the UK.
Jill Irving BabyCenter's health visitor	Jill Irving has been a health visitor for almost 30 years. Jill trained as an adult and children's nurse at Westminster Hospital in the UK, after which she qualified as a midwife. Jill completed her training in London, becoming one of the UK's youngest health visitors.
Laura Jana, M.D. Pediatrician	Laura Jana, M.D., is a pediatrician, owner of an educational childcare center, and assistant director of the Boys Town Institute for Child Health Improvement in Omaha, Nebraska. She is co-author of the parenting book Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, published in 2005 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Jana received her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University and her pediatric training at both the University of California at San Francisco and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. She serves as a media spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, writes a column in which she reviews children's books, is a national trainer for Reach Out and Read, and is a member of the LLuminari Expert Network. Jana is also a certified child passenger safety technician and mother of three.
Ian Kerner Counselor	Ian Kerner, Ph.D., is a sex and relationships counselor and author of numerous books including She Comes First; Love in the Time of Colic; and Sex Recharge. His website, Good in Bed, offers information and advice about sex. Kerrner is a graduate of Brandeis University and also holds degrees from New York University and the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists. He was born and raised in New York City, where he resides with his wife and two young sons.
Rena Kim RN, BScN, CCHN (C) Public health nurse	Rena Kim has worked as part of Regina’s North Central nursing team for the past 16 years. Rena thrives in program development. She is a strong advocate for men’s health and fathers, specifically for fathers in the inner city. She has actively been involved with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association and values the strength of a professional association to create change. Continuous learning is a high priority for Rena and she seeks to maximize opportunities to learn and challenge herself professionally. She has been married to a wonderful man for nine years and has two boys. She finds parenting to be the biggest challenge and most rewarding role in her life.
Zeni Koutsi, MSc Maternal medicine and research midwife	Zeni Koutsi started her midwifery education in 1997, in her hometown of Thessaloniki, Greece and subsequently she worked as a midwife and fertility specialist. Zeni was awarded with a full state scholarship for postgraduate studies and obtained an MSc in Midwifery Practice from University of Nottingham in 2005. She returned to Greece and applied the newly acquired knowledge to try and change the profile of Greek midwifery. She was involved in promoting evidence-based and midwifery-led care. In 2006, Zeni relocated to the UK and started her NHS journey. She is based in Surrey, with her initial post being at St Peter Hospital, Chertsey. Zeni gained significant experience and skills there and quickly progressed. At present, Zeni holds a challenging post as a maternal medicine midwife at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals. Her subspecialty is in obesity and she also coordinates various research projects. She is interested in women's health and rights issues, evidence-based midwifery and public health.
Kate Lafferty, ND Family doctor	Dr Lafferty is a family doctor practicing in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. She is a graduate of University of Ottawa Medical School and University of Toronto Family Medicine Residency program. Since graduating in 2000 she has spent many years caring for parents and their children. She is a member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She is also a mom of very dynamic 11-year-old twins.
Penelope Leach, Ph.D. Psychologist specialising in child development	Penelope Leach is best known as the author of Your Baby and Child and is a passionate advocate for children and parents. She is a psychologist, specialising in child development and currently co-director of a large-scale study of the effects of different kinds of care - by mothers, fathers, childminders, nannies, grandmothers, nurseries - and combinations of kinds of care, on children's development in the first five years. Penelope has a psychology Ph.D. and an Honorary Doctorate in Education. She is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Leopold Muller University Department of Child and Family Mental Health at the Royal Free and University College Hospital Medical School. Her acclaimed book Your Baby and Child has sold over three million copies in twenty-nine languages and was awarded first prize in the "popular medicine" category of its book awards by the British Medical Association.
Judith Le Gallais, Ph.D. Pediatric psychologist	Dr. Le Gallais is a clinical- and neuro-psychologist who has a strong interest in child development. She is a graduate of McGill University and member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. Dr. Le Gallais has worked at the Montreal Children’s Hospital for over 20 years. Her major focus is providing psychotherapy and psychological support to children and their families. She also has an expertise in developmental and learning assessments. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Le Gallais instructs graduate students at McGill University in Child Assessment and Practicum courses. Dr. Le Gallais has three children and a young granddaughter.
Andrea Lennox, RM Midwife	Andrea has worked as a Registered Midwife in Toronto since 2002 and has been the Head Midwife at both St. Joseph's Health Centre and Sunnybrook Hospital. She has practiced in urban settings as well as practiced and taught midwifery in Nunavik, Quebec. She is a graduate of the Ryerson Midwifery Education Program and currently serves as the Midwife Consultant for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. She is also the past President of the College of Midwives of Ontario. Andrea has two children of her own, both born at home with midwives.
Ravinder Lilly Nutritionist and dietician	Ravinder Lilly graduated with a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from The Queen's College, Glasgow in 1989 and has worked as a dietician in the UK and around Australia in hospitals. Since 1990, Ravinder has worked as a journalist for a number of medical and consumer magazines. Her last position was Editor of the mother and baby magazine, Maternity and Mothercraft. Since leaving full-time publishing, Ravinder cares for her two young children and writes on a freelance basis for a number of magazines, including Right Start, Babycare and Your Pregnancy, and for Carlton Television. She is the author of First Foods - A Guide to Weaning, written on behalf of the National Childbirth Trust. Ravinder completed a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Westminster in 1995 and now works part-time as a lecturer on child health and nutrition at a further education college in Berkshire.
Andrew G Marshall Relationships therapist	Andrew G Marshall is a marital therapist with almost 30 years' experience and the author of "I love you but you always put me last: How to childproof your marriage". He trained with Relate but now has a private practice in London and Sussex.
Morag Martindale, Dr GP and family planning doctor	Dr. Morag Martindale is a general practitioner and family planning doctor, and mother of three children. She is a contributing author to the NCT Book of Baby Care and author of the NCT A-Z of Child Health. She has a particular interest in women's health, breastfeeding promotion and early parenting.
Marie McDonald, RGN, RM, ADM, MBA (Health) Midwife and author	Marie McDonald is a registered general nurse and registered midwife who is currently Head of Midwifery and Clinical Service Manager for Women's Health at University Hospital Lewisham in South-East London. After qualifying as a midwife in 1985, she worked at Guy's Hospital in London, moving to High Wycombe to manage the delivery suite in 1992 and then back to London to her present role in May 1993. She and her team of senior midwives remain actively involved in midwifery practice. Marie has a keen interest in the subject of prenatal loss and has organized a number of conferences for health professionals and is the author of a textbook for midwives entitled Loss in Pregnancy - A Practical Guide for Midwives published in 1996. She undertook the Advanced Diploma in Midwifery in 1990 and in 1998 gained an MBA in Health at City University, London. She has two young children.
Anna McGrail Medical writer and editor	Anna McGrail has a BA from the University of Sussex and an MA from the University of London. Anna has written Expecting - the pregnancy Bible, along with Daphne Metland, two practical handbooks on childcare: You and Your New Baby, (Thorsons/NCT Publishing) which won an award from the British Medical Association, and Crying Baby, (HarperCollins). She is also the author of Infertility: The Last Secret, Bloomsbury, 1999, which has become a handbook for British couples trying to conceive. She has written many articles for parenting and childcare magazines. Anna was formerly BabyCenter international editor.
Daphne Metland Medical writer and editor	Daphne Metland is one of the authors of Expecting the pregnancy Bible, teaches NCT antenatal classes, and chairs the Maternity Services Liaison Committee at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Daphne has wide experience in health and lifestyle writing. She has worked on Good Housekeeping and Homes and Gardens magazines and is a former editor of Parents magazine. Daphne has written - together with Anna McGrail, BabyCentre's Executive Editor - Expecting: Everything you need to know about pregnancy, labour and birth which was published by Virago in June 2004. Daphne is Editor-in-Chief of Babycentre and International Editor (Europe and English Speaking) of BabyCenter.com. Daphne lives in Norwich.
Ashwini Nabar, Dr Consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician	Dr. Ashwini Nabar is a consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at Hinduja Healthcare Surgical, Khar. She has over fifteen years of experience in her field. She is associated with the Asian heart Institute in Mumbai, and has her own private practice as well. She has the distinction of having performed the first Robot-assisted Gynaecological procedure in Mumbai. The cornerstones of her beliefs are ethical care, up to date knowledge and a humanitarian touch when interacting with patients.
Christine Northam Relate counsellor	Christine Northam is a highly experienced Relate counsellor, working with individuals and couples experiencing relationship difficulties. These difficulties can include infidelity, communication problems, parenting, bereavement, low self-esteem, domestic violence, mental health, sexual abuse and addiction. Christine conducts Relate for Parents sessions which help couples with children to be supportive parents during difficult times such as separation and divorce. She also works with trainee counsellors, and selects new counsellors for her local Relate Centre. Since joining the Media Team at Relate over three years ago, Christine has gained a broad range of media experience. She has been widely quoted on a range of relationship issues in all national print media, and her broadcasted media appearances include BBC Breakfast, Woman's Hour, Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 5, The Curse of Friends Reunited on Five and Kilroy, as well as many regional radio broadcasts. Christine has also been a consultant for Relate publications, such as Before You Say I Do by Elizabeth Martyn. In addition to her work with Relate, Christine runs her own business, is a partner with her husband in a management training company and is a long-term fundraiser for the NSPCC. She and her husband have three grown-up sons.
Judith Owens Pediatric Sleep Expert	Judith Owens, M.D., MPH, is an internationally recognized authority on pediatric sleep and author of over 100 research articles, chapters, and books on the topic. She is coauthor of a book for parents, Take Charge of Your Child's Sleep: The All-in-One Resource for Solving Sleep Problems in Kids and Teens (2005), as well as a book for physicians on pediatric sleep disorders, A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep: Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Problems (2nd edition, 2009). Both were written with fellow sleep expert Jodi Mindell, Ph.D. She is board certified in developmental/behavioral pediatrics and sleep medicine, and is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Brown Medical School.
Karoline Pahl, Dr GP	Karoline is a doctor and mother of two. She worked in various different hospital departments, including Obstetrics & Gynaecology for several years before qualifying as a GP and now works part-time.
Firuza Parekh, Dr, M.D., D.G.O., D.F.P., F.C.P.S., Dip.N.B.E. Director of assisted reproduction and genetics	Dr Firuza Parekh is the Director of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai. She set up and headed the first IVF centre at the Jaslok Hospital in 1989. She has been a pioneer in assisted reproduction techniques. She doctored South East Asia's first ICSI baby in 1994, helped conceive the first pregnancy by LASER Assisted Hatching in 1999 and is currently pioneering the technique of Cumulus Aided Transfer (CAT) for the first time in the world. She is the author of several scientific papers and of 'The Complete Guide to Getting Pregnant'.
Helen Pegg, RGN RHV BSc (Hons) Health Visitor	Helen Pegg qualified as a nurse in 1973 at Charing Cross Hospital and stayed in acute surgical nursing until 1976. She then qualified as a health visitor in 1977 and has worked as a health visitor in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and currently lives and works in her home county of Derbyshire. She gained a first class degree in Nursing Studies at Hertfordshire University in 1995 and for her thesis looked at the role that health visitors can play in promoting dental health among children. Helen is a qualified health visitor practice teacher. She has spent many years helping parents to overcome sleep problems by running "sleep groups" for families whose children do not have an acceptable sleep pattern. Helen has three children, aged 25, 23, and 22 and has first-hand experience of children who do not sleep!
Ben Peyton-Jones, Dr Specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology	Dr Ben Peyton-Jones is a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology based in Bristol. He is currently working in Gloucester Hospital. This question was answered with the assistance of Mr Robert Fox, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, who has a special interest in maternal medicine.
Kate Piggot Midwife	Kate Piggot is a midwife.
Wendy Rayner, RGN RM Smoking cessation specialist adviser for pregnancy	Wendy Rayner qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1980 and specialised in Accident & Emergency nursing in South Derbyshire. She then trained and qualified as a midwife in 1984 in Nottingham. She rejoined A&E nursing following the birth of her first son in 1989, working as a junior Sister. Following the birth of her second son in 1992, Wendy spent seven years as a Practice Nurse in GP practices in North Derbyshire and Birmingham. She joined the Smoking Cessation team in North Derbyshire in 2000 and set up the Specialist Service for Smoking in Pregnancy in 2001, during this time she gained her Certificate in Health Promotion with the Open University. She also studied for a BA (Hons) degree in Health & Social Care Practice, which she completed in 2005. As a Smoking Cessation Specialist Adviser for Pregnancy, Wendy offers one to one support to pregnant women and their partners who want to stop smoking. Women can self-refer to the service or be referred by a health professional, such as a midwife or GP. Part of Wendy's role also involves organising and facilitating brief intervention training for midwives and other health professionals in North Derbyshire.
Kim Redfern Trainee advanced paediatric nurse practitioner	Kim graduated from the University of Nottingham (UK) in 2004 and has a BSc (hons). Over the last ten years Kim has worked with children from birth to sixteen years with a wide range of conditions and the initial stabilization of critically ill children. Over the last four years she has combined clinical work with research and has lead numerous pediatric clinical trials in areas such as metabolic bone disease, rheumatology, cystic fibrosis and urology conditions. She had her first baby in 2013 and spends her time running around after a lively toddler when she's not working.
Angharad Rudkin, Dr, MA(Oxon) CPsychol AFBPsS Clinical child psychologist	Angharad is a clinical child psychologist who works with young people and families experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. She also teaches clinical child psychology at the University of Southampton (UK). Angharad knows that parenting is the hardest job that anyone will ever do, and that the first few years of a child's life are often the most important.
Sally Sago, BSc Midwife and lecturer	Sally Sago first trained as a nurse in Lincolnshire and then as a midwife in Suffolk. She has been a practising midwife since returning to work, after taking time off to have children, in 1987. During that time she has worked both in hospital and in the community and studied for a BSc degree in midwifery. She was Senior Midwife in an integrated GP unit and very involved in the introduction of midwife-led care after the government's Changing Childbirth report in 1993. Sally says: "My specialist area of midwifery is normality and low-risk care, and recently I've become increasingly interested in postnatal care. I love teaching parent education classes and since 1998 have been a midwife tutor, teaching Midwifery and Nursing Diploma and Degree students. Some of my time is spent as a clinical link lecturer and this is when I get to be with women. I have recently completed my training as a Supervisor of Midwives. I am passionate about midwifery and the place it has in this country in being "with women" throughout the special process of childbearing. Sally is married to Andy, a researcher in telecommunications, and has two teenage children - Emma and Jonathon.
Sarah Schenker, PhD Dietitian and public health nutritionist	Sarah Schenker is a qualified registered dietitian and registered public health nutritionist. She is a member of the British Dietetic Association, The Nutrition Society, the Guild of Health Writers and has served on professional and government committees. Sarah graduated from the University of Surrey with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and State Registration in Dietetics. She spent three years gaining clinical experience at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Sarah gained a PhD in human nutrition after research carried out at the University of Oxford and the Institute of Food Research in Norwich. Sarah is a nutrition scientist with the British Nutrition Foundation, where she works part-time. She has two young children.
Kellie Scott, MD Family medicine	Kellie Scott, MD is a family doctor practicing in St. Thomas, Ontario. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa medical school and the University of Western Ontario rural family medicine residency training program. She is a member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She is also a mom to two children.
Jane Shaw, BDS Dentist	Dr Jane Shaw qualified as a dentist in 1995 from Guy's Dental School (University of London). She currently works part-time in a family practice in Tenterden, Kent, with her husband and one other dentist. She has two children, George and Eleanor.
Andrew Shennan, PhD Obstetrician and lead clinician in the maternal and fetal research unit, King's College	Andrew Shennan works as Professor of Obstetrics for Tommy's, the baby charity, and is based at St. Thomas' Hospital, London. Here he runs a unique preterm birth clinic, seeing high-risk referrals from around the country. His research interests are in the area of premature birth, and include the mechanisms surrounding birth and interventions to improve outcome. His research also includes investigating methods to predict and prevent pre-eclampsia. He is a principal investigator in a number of clinical trials, both nationally and internationally.
Jake Spencer Parent-infant psychotherapist	Jake Spencer is clinical director of the Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP). She joined OXPIP (UK) in 2008 as a parent infant psychotherapist and became clinical director in May 2013. In her current role, Jake is responsible for OXPIP's therapeutic work as well as leading many of OXPIP's training courses. She is registered as both an adult and a child and adolescent psychotherapist with the UKCP. She also holds an MA in Psychoanalytic Approaches to Child Protection and Family Support from the Tavistock and Portman Trust. Jake is a trained psychotherapy supervisor and an accredited video interaction guidance practitioner. She has worked as a psychotherapist with adults, children and families for nearly 20 years in NHS, educational and voluntary sector settings.
Becky Taylor midwife sonographer	Becky Taylor is a midwife sonographer specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology at The London Women's Clinic in Harley Street and The London Ultrasound Centre. She provides support for women undergoing fertility treatment, and carries out obstetric scans. Becky qualified as a midwife in 2006 before going on to study Medical Ultrasound at King's College London. She has previously worked as a community midwife in Surrey and at an independent Birth Centre in South London. Becky is passionate about normalising birth and empowering women to make informed choices. She's a single mum to two daughters, and in her spare time she writes a blog about birth and midwifery.
Bobby Taylor Parent-infant therapist	Bobby Taylor has worked as a parent-infant therapist for the Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP) since 2002. She has a background in nursing and health visiting. Following a career break to have a family she completed a postgraduate diploma in psychodynamic counselling at Reading University (UK) in 1996. Since then she has been based in general practice working as a counselor. Alongside this work she has also run groups to support parents developing skills and managing techniques with babies, toddlers, primary age children and adolescents.
Sasha Watkins, RD BSc (Hons) MA (Cantab) MBDA Dietitian	Sasha Watkins is a registered dietitian with experience in paediatric nutrition, and a director of The Food Coach Ltd, a London-based nutrition and dietetic consultancy. She offers advice on maternal and infant nutrition and writes a blog, www.thefoodcoachblog.com, about weaning, in which she shares her learning with other mothers. Sasha is also a media spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and is on the BDA Communications and Marketing Board. She was recently awarded the BDA Roll of Honour (2011). She is registered with the Health Professions Council, Dietitians in Obesity Management (DOMUK), the BDA Paediatric Group, the BDA Gastroenterology Specialist Group and the Freelance Dietitians Group.
Heather Welford Breastfeeding counsellor and health writer	Heather Welford is a breastfeeding counsellor and a health writer. She is author of The NCT Book of Potty Training (Harper Collins).
Teresa Wilson Postnatal discussion tutor (NCT) and author	Teresa Wilson gained a degree in law and politics in 1982. Her experience as a working parent began when she set up home with her partner and his son, and had her own children in 1989 and 1993. She became involved with the National Childbirth Trust after the birth of her son, initially as a breastfeeding counsellor, subsequently as Books Editor on their national membership magazine, and also ran postnatal discussion courses. She also ran her own nanny agency. Teresa's first book, The Working Parent's Companion, was published in 1996 and since then she has written regularly on parenting issues. She was a contributing author for the NCT Book of Babycare, published in 1999.
Hilary Wright, Dr Parent-infant therapist	Dr Hilary Wright has worked as a parent-infant therapist for the Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP) since 2010. She trained as a child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Tavistock Centre in London (UK) whilst working for the NHS in CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service). She has recently completed a professional doctorate in Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
Julia Youll, RGN, RM, RHV Midwife and health visitor	Julia Youll qualified as a general nurse in 1977 at St Mary's Hospital in London, and then took a midwifery course at Kingston Hospital in Surrey. Following a period of travel, when she worked in both Australia and Saudi Arabia, she settled in Herefordshire and gained the health visitor certificate in 1987. She has been working as a health visitor ever since and in a part-time capacity following the arrival of her children. After the birth of her second baby, she commenced a breastfeeding counselling course through the National Childbirth Trust. She is now one of the local voluntary counsellors working with the NCT antenatal classes and individual parents throughout Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. Her keen interest in breastfeeding issues also extends to her work and she is part of the Regional Breastfeeding Coordinators' Group.

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