Alison Spiro has worked as a health visitor and an NCT breastfeeding counsellor, recently acting as a specialist health visitor and infant feeding lead in two NHS trusts, taking them both to become Baby Friendly accredited by UNICEF. She did a doctorate in social anthropology and studied breastfeeding in Indian families in London and India. Recognised as a Queen’s Nurse in 2014, she is now a professional advisor for Best Beginnings and the Institute of Health Visiting, and a volunteer in breastfeeding support groups and training peer supporters.