A maternal health organisation built around preparation, prevention and trusted support.
The Thompson Method Group was founded by the late Dr Robyn Thompson OAM and her daughter Joanne Thompson, built to make the life’s work of Dr Robyn accessible to mothers around the world.
At the centre of the Group is The Thompson Method – a gentle, evidence-based philosophy that respects the unique relationship between every mother and baby. It helps women prepare during pregnancy, understand their choices, reduce the risk of nipple pain and common complications, and feel supported when their baby arrives.
Today, the Group brings together mothers, midwives, lactation consultants, health professionals and trained practitioners with one shared purpose: to help more women achieve their own breastfeeding goals and double world breastfeeding rates.
READ MORE ABOUT DR ROBYNThe Thompson Method is more than a technique.
★ It is a philosophy and way of supporting mothers that combines anatomy, gentle positioning, preparation and trust in a woman’s ability to understand her own baby.
★ Developed by Dr Robyn Thompson OAM from 50 years of clinical midwifery and doctoral research, The Thompson Method moves breastfeeding care earlier – helping women prepare before birth rather than waiting until pain or complications have taken hold.
★ This philosophy guides the Thompson Method Breastfeeding Program, our professional education, our expert support and every new initiative developed by the Group.
Prepare during pregnancy. Feel supported when your baby arrives.
THE THOMPSON METHOD BREASTFEEDING PROGRAMS
The Thompson Method Breastfeeding Program is the Group’s one-time purchase program, with ongoing access to Dr Robyn’s guidance and the support available within the Thompson Method community.
The Program helps mothers prepare for birth and breastfeeding, create a personal Birth and Breastfeeding Plan, understand the first critical hours after birth and access trusted support as their journey unfolds.
Impact measured in mothers supported - and evidence treated with discipline.
Real results, backed by research.
Since the Thompson Method Breastfeeding Program launched online in 2018, more than 98,000 mothers worldwide have accessed its preparation, education and support.
The Thompson Method has also been independently evaluated in a peer-reviewed study of 13,667 mother–baby pairs at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane. The study found that facility-wide implementation improved direct breastfeeding at hospital discharge and, among women who left hospital exclusively breastfeeding, was associated with a lower risk of stopping exclusive breastfeeding by three months.
Member experience matters too. In a survey of 500 members, 83 per cent told us they reached their breastfeeding goals.
Our ambition is to build on that impact – helping more mothers access preparation and support, strengthening the evidence behind our work and contributing to doubling world breastfeeding rates.
Professor Sue Kildea
● Former Head of Research, Mater Mothers' Hospital (one of Australia's largest maternity hospitals)
● Former Director, Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University
Our ambition is to build on that impact – helping more mothers access preparation and support, strengthening the evidence behind our work and contributing to improved breastfeeding outcomes worldwide.
Dr Robyn's work, carried forward.
The Thompson Method was founded by Dr Robyn Thompson OAM.
The organisation grew from Dr Robyn’s life’s work and the shared commitment to making her knowledge, philosophy and care accessible to mothers around the world.
Robyn’s daughter Joanne Thompson co-founded The Thompson Method Group to take that work to more mothers worldwide. Joanne now carries that responsibility forward, preserving the integrity of Dr Robyn’s work while extending its reach and impact.
Dr Robyn Thompson PhD OAM
Originator of The Thompson Method.
Dr Robyn Thompson was a midwife, researcher and breastfeeding specialist whose career spanned 50 years; 25 in hospitals and 25 attending home births.
Her unique perspective and clinical observations became the foundation of her doctoral research into nipple pain and trauma in breastfeeding women and, ultimately, The Thompson Method.
Dr Robyn’s work was grounded in gentleness, respect for the mother–baby relationship and trust in a woman’s instincts.
In 2023, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medicine, particularly as a midwife and breastfeeding specialist.
Joanne Thompson
Co-founder and CEO, The Thompson Method Group
Joanne co-founded The Thompson Method Group with Dr Robyn and now leads the organisation’s next chapter.
She is responsible for carrying Dr Robyn’s work forward, growing the Group’s impact and building the partnerships, people and services required to support more mothers worldwide.
Her focus is on preserving the integrity of The Thompson Method while ensuring the organisation continues to listen to mothers, strengthen its evidence and make trusted support more accessible.
