Hey, I’m Dr Mel Mapleson—GP, IBCLC, and NDC Accredited Practitioner. I’ve designed my clinic to be a safe, supportive space where parents and babies get the care they truly deserve. Helping families through the chaos, joy, and challenges of early parenthood and baby feeding is what I love most—it’s the best job in the world, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Services:
• Preconception/pregnancy planning
• GP Antenatal Shared Care in pregnancy/referral for private ObGyn or hospital care
• Prenatal breastfeeding assessment and preparation
• Breastfeeding (and any other type of baby feeding), lactation and baby care support after birth
• 1-4 week newborn wellness check
• Re-lactation and lactation induction
• MS2Step (medical termination of early pregnancy)
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> I don't teach sleep-training for babies
> I don't issue referrals to private midwives for homebirth
> I am pro-vaccination and pro-choice
> Folks of any and all identities are welcome​
I practise slow, evidence-based medicine—with kindness, clarity, and zero jargon. My appointments range from 15 to 90 minutes because real support takes time (especially when it comes to breastfeeding—it’s not a ‘quick fix’ kind of thing). You’ll find a calm, relaxed space here—complete with an awesome couch.
I’m all about attachment-based parenting (shoutout to Circle of Security). Sleep-training? Not my thing, never will be. But if you want responsive strategies to help support your baby's sleep, I’m your person (check out the ‘For Parents’ tab for more on that).
One of my greatest joys—is helping parents trust themselves—and calling out the outdated, exploitative nonsense that circulates online. Some advice belongs in the bin, and I’ll happily help you take out the trash!
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Curious to see if we’d be a good fit? Take a sneak peek at my Instagram (@drmelmapleson) for a dose of real talk, parenting tips, and a whole lot of good energy. If it feels like a match, I’d love to work with you!
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Background:
• Specialist General Practitioner (MBBS, FRACGP)
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
• Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC, or "Possums") Accredited Practitioner
• Diploma of Child Health
• Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine Fellowship Candidate (LILAC Fellowship, University of Rochester NY)
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Professional Memberships:
• Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
• Prospective Fellow of Neuroprotective Developmental Care Lactation Consulting (NDCLC)
• Prospective Fellow of LILAC Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine (University of Rochester, NY)
• Member of the Breastfeeding Medicine Network Australia/New Zealand (BMNANZ)
• Physician Member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine​ (ABM)
• Member of Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ)
• Member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
• Member of the Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (IABLE)
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I grew up between the Sutherland Shire and Italy, and trained in Sydney. Outside of work, I have the privilege of representing Australia at an international level in a cappella singing. I speak fluent Italian, and I'm learning how to raise a kind and resilient boy as a solo mum by choice.
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In mid-2023, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. The journey of being diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer and going through chemo and radiotherapy changed me as a person. I carry with me the experience of having been a young mum and a patient under extreme stress. A gift and a curse, as Detective Monk would say, that has allowed me a much deeper appreciation of life, love, family, work, and what it means to be "a good doctor".​