What Is The Thompson Method?

The Thompson Method is a gentle, evidence based method towards a gentle birth and pain-free breastfeeding experience. It was created by Dr Robyn Thompson, a midwife with over 50 years experience who was awarded a PhD for her research into why so many women were being discharged from hospital with painful nipple trauma and other breastfeeding complications such as engorgement & mastitis.
Pic: Dr Robyn Thompson observing a breastfeed.
Ever wondered why some women can breastfeed and others just seem to struggle?
Most of the Western World have similar outcomes.
Pic: Forceful Breastfeeding Techniques
It’s for ALL women who want to breastfeed, but particularly those giving birth in the hospital system because it offers a gentle alternative to help women AVOID the most common and painful breastfeeding complications.
The Thompson Method is more than just a technique on how to get a good latch...
It is that, but it’s so much more....
It’s having the knowledge to understand that what happens during your labour and birth will greatly influence your breastfeeding journey.
It’s understanding how breast milk is produced so that you have the confidence to trust that your breasts will nourish your baby without fear of low supply.
It’s about being empowered to feel that you are in control of your labour, birth and breastfeeding experience.
It’s the awareness that nipple shields, bottles, teats and dummies (pacifiers) will also impact on your breastfeeding journey.
And at the very foundation of this gentle, evidence based method is a very powerful belief...
A belief that every woman and her baby is unique.
It’s a belief that every baby will be born in its own time; not at the convenience of hospital policy.
It’s an understanding of the importance of the first breastfeed and that routine procedures should not interrupt or delay this precious time between a mother and her baby.
It’s having respect for the strength of one woman to give birth to her baby, with full support of how incredible both she and her baby are.
When you adopt The Thompson Method along with the thousands of women who’ve also embraced this method to give birth to and breastfeed their babies, you will reduce the risk of common complications such as nipple trauma, breast engorgement and mastitis.
You will also increase the likelihood of being able to bond with your baby and breastfeed pain-free for as long as you choose.
Is The Thompson Method evidence based?
The Thompson Method is based on the sharing of outcomes of Dr Robyn Thompson's PhD Breastfeeding Research.
Dr Robyn (at the age of 78) has worked alongside thousands of women experiencing a wide range of breastfeeding complications (within hours or days of being discharged from hospital).
And it was these women who inspired her to research the WHY.
Why were women being discharged from hospital presenting with complications in the early postnatal period?
The Thompson Method helps women fully prepare you for their breastfeeding journey, gives women the tools to know how to best manage breastfeeding when they arrive home, provide information on how to quickly overcome pain if one starts to feel it and much, much more.
Breastfeeding should be a choice, but for many, it is not.
A message from Dr Robyn Thompson
What are the “3 Golden Hours”?

How to Breastfeed Pain-Free
✅ Gentle positioning that empowers you to trust your natural motherly instincts and recognize your baby’s communication cues.
Dr Robyn Thompson awarded Honorary Appointment by CDU

Dr Robyn Thompson, founder of the Thompson Method of gentle breastfeeding, has been appointed Adjunct Associate Professor with the College of Nursing and Midwifery at Charles Darwin University (CDU).
The honorary role was awarded to Dr Thompson by the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, an initiative of CDU, in recognition of her breastfeeding research, midwifery and maternal, child health and continuing breastfeeding consultant experience.
With more than 50 years’ experience in the field, and a PhD, Dr Thompson’s thirst for knowledge hasn’t waned.
“My need to know why so many women are discharged from hospitals with breastfeeding complications continues,” she says.
“Especially when I didn’t see these complications over 25 years of birthing at home with women.”
Dr Thompson’s goal is to play a key role in doubling world breastfeeding rates through education.
The first step is the introduction of the Thompson Method as standard education for the next generation of midwives and maternal health professionals – a goal she has firmly In her sights.
“I have a responsibility to my profession to share my knowledge and experience. I love connecting and assisting with education and mentoring the new generation of midwifery and maternal, child health professionals.
“I’m hoping that this will gradually create an improved opportunity to genuinely be with and listen carefully to what women are saying.
Learn more how you can be fully prepared and confident about your birth and breastfeeding journey with The Thompson Method...
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