WHO IS THIS PATHWAY FOR?
The doula or childbirth educator
You are with women through pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period, often more present in those weeks than anyone else in her care team. But when breastfeeding challenges arise, you may feel out of your depth, unsure where your support ends and a clinical referral should begin.
The TMBE certification gives you the knowledge, language, and confidence to support breastfeeding mothers properly in those early days and the clarity to know when something needs more than support, and who to refer to.
The allied health professional
Physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other allied health professionals often see women during pregnancy, as well as mothers and babies, unrelated to breastfeeding, but breastfeeding difficulties come up in the room anyway. You may not have the framework to address them, or even recognise what you're looking at.
The TMBE certification gives you a structured understanding of breastfeeding physiology and common complications, so you can support the women in your care more completely, and add a genuinely differentiated offering to your practice.
Educator Program Eligibility
Thompson Method Breastfeeding Educators (TMBEs) are doulas, childbirth educators and allied health professionals whose clients include pregnant women.
Check Your Eligibility
Check Your Eligibility
Educator Program Curriculum
The TMBE curriculum is based on Dr Robyn Thompson's PhD research, her 50+ years of midwifery and breastfeeding experience, and the successful outcomes of thousands of breastfeeding women who use The Thompson Method. Dr Robyn discovered that common complications such as nipple trauma, breast engorgement and mastitis were closely associated with a delay or interruption to the first and early breastfeeds.
The Thompson Method Language Guide
Adopt a gentle approach to language to support and nurture mothers along their breastfeeding journey.
The Craniocervical and Oral Anatomy of Breastfed Babies
Explore the breastfed baby's anatomy to uncover a crucial element of successful breastfeeding.
The Anatomy of the Maternal Breast
Delve into the anatomy of the maternal breast so you can help prevent common breastfeeding complications before they start.
Non-Human Milk and Implications for Breastfeeding
Learn the truth about the composition of non-human milk (formula) and its implications for breastfeeding.
The "Isation" Syndrome: How Maternity Care Has Changed
Discover how changes to maternity care have impacted breastfeeding—and what women (and you) can do about it.
Breastmilk Production
Fully understand breast milk production to help women overcome volume-related challenges.
Painful Nipple Trauma and Face-to-Breast Symmetry
Access case studies to fully understand why nipple trauma occurs and discover how to help women prevent it.
Oral Devices and Implications for Breastfeeding
Learn how specific oral devices affect breastfeeding so you can help women reduce the risk of complications.
Gentle Breast Expression
Discover a gentle method for breast expression, either by hand or with devices.
Growth & Development
Gain an advanced understanding of infant development to help women breastfeed for as long as they choose.
Fine-Tuning Credentials
Fine Tuning Credentials expand your Scope of Practice to include 1:1 sessions with mothers of healthy newborns (up to 4 weeks) experiencing nipple pain. Fine Tuning is unique to The Thompson Method and requires 30 observational hours of Dr Robyn herself working with mothers and babies. (Hours provided by The Thompson Method). These fine observational skills set you up for being able to take a woman from pain to pain-free, or pain-reduced in the space of a single feed.
HOW IT WORKS
To ensure this is the right pathway for you, here is exactly what to expect.
Apply
Deposit
Pay a $200 deposit*
*Fully refunded. This holds your call with Rachael. It is returned in full at the end of your conversation, no matter what you decide.
Book
Begin
TMBE PATHWAY INVESTMENT
$1,995 AUD
or $1,395 USD
Pay in full for a $200 Discount · 3 x monthly plan also available
$200 APPLICATION FEE | FULLY REFUNDED
"This is an investment in knowledge that changes what you offer every woman in your care, helping her avoid common complications and enjoy a breastfeeding journey that is memorable for all the right reasons."
- Full Thompson Method curriculum
- Advanced skills in Fine Tuning (to address nipple pain)
- Weekly Zoom calls with Rachael Austin
- Academy community mentoring
- Start any time
"This has been so inspiring to me."
And other kind words from recent graduates of The Breastfeeding Academy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Before starting the Academy, I felt excited to gain a deeper knowledge for the unique individual mother and her unique baby. Working directly under the amazing Dr Robyn Thompson and the lovely Rachael has been so inspiring to me: not only the wisdom and experience but the overall gentle language is absolutely beautiful.
If you have a passion for guiding mothers during pregnancy to prepare for a stress-free and pain-free journey, this is the place for you."
Jill - Doula, TMBE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Joining the Thompson Method Breastfeeding Academy and undertaking the education has been a transformative experience for me.
The education will challenge existing beliefs and knowledge, perhaps there will be some unpacking of personal experiences or some unlearning to do; but you’re never alone in that and are always thoughtfully supported.
The mentorship is beyond what I expected and far more extensive than I’ve experienced in other courses."
Andrea, Doula, TMBE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"...working with Dr Robyn and Rachael as a certified Practitioner... is a dream come true. The gentle mentorship they both offer provides me with all the confidence I need to do what I love to do… and that’s to help women breastfeed.
I really do feel privileged to be able to call on these experienced midwives whenever I need some guidance, which has made my transition from student to practitioner smooth and enjoyable."
Kelly, RN, IBCLC, TMBP
Online education. Real-life mentorship.
Although the Breastfeeding Academy experience is entirely online, this is not a do-it-yourself program! Instead, we guide you step-by-step through the curriculum and meet weekly on Zoom to reinforce what you've learned, answer your questions, and ensure you have the knowledge and experience you need to confidently support pregnant women.
Meet Rachael
Rachael Austin
Director of Education M.AdCM, RN, RM, CF&MH, Principal Practitioner at TTM, IBCLC
★ 28 years of midwifery and breastfeeding expertise
★ Master of Clinical Midwifery (MClinMid)
★ Graduate Certificate of Health Professional Education
The Thompson Method can work for every mother and baby.
Real results, backed by research.
"If we get women feeling confident and capable with their first two breastfeeds, it sets women up for successful breastfeeding for the next six months. And that's what we're doing here with The Thompson Method."
Professor Sue Kildea
● Former Director, Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University
● Former Head of Research, Mater Mothers' Hospital (one of Australia's largest maternity hospitals)
Imagine helping women in your care achieve results like these.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"The Thompson Method provided me with education and guidance for my pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding that none of my medical providers (OBs, Nurses, Lactation Consultants, etc) did. With what I learned from The Thompson Method, I had the confidence to advocate for myself and my baby through the entire process. As a result, I have had the perfect experience, the experience I had always imagined and dreamed of."
Bianca
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"The Thompson Method breastfeeding program has changed my life! I was not successful breastfeeding my first 2 but this time I am. My baby girl has been [exclusively breastfed] for 3 months now."
Jessica
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I can say with 100% confidence that The Thompson Method is what saved our breastfeeding journey. ... Breastfeeding went from one of the most stressful times in our house to one of the most coveted, peaceful times and everyone was able to relax. Now my daughter is 19 months old and we're still going strong!"
Rebecca K.
Common Questions
Do I have to be a Midwife to enrol in The Breastfeeding Academy?
Do I have to be a Midwife to enrol in The Breastfeeding Academy?
What does the TMBE program cost?
What does the TMBE program cost?
What's the difference between TMBEs and TMBPs?
What's the difference between TMBEs and TMBPs?
How long do I have access to the education, resources, and mentorship group?
How long do I have access to the education, resources, and mentorship group?
How long is the program?
How long is the program?
How does assessment work?
How does assessment work?
Will I be guaranteed income or a job once certified?
Will I be guaranteed income or a job once certified?
What exactly are the TMBE program requirements?
What exactly are the TMBE program requirements?
Can I present the Beautiful Breastfeeding™ Program to groups of women within my hospital or health organisation?
Can I present the Beautiful Breastfeeding™ Program to groups of women within my hospital or health organisation?
What is the TMBE's Scope of Practice?
What is the TMBE's Scope of Practice?
Can I support breastfeeding mothers as well?
Can I support breastfeeding mothers as well?
I have another question
I have another question
Women and their babies need you.
Apply
Complete the short application form to help us work out if the Educator pathway is right for you.
Pay a $200 App Fee
Fully refunded after your call with Rachael, whether you choose to enrol in the Academy or not.
Book a call
Chat with Rachael, decide on whether this is for you and get started right away.
