My name is Emma Ballantyne and I’m a Baby Care Specialist. I am the founder of Ballantyne Baby Consultancy. I thought I’d introduce myself, and tell you a little bit about me. About how I got into the industry. Why I do what I do.
Where i’m from!
I’m a proud New Zealander born and bred! I was born in Tauranga and grew up in Wellington. My childhood was spent playing with dirt, climbing rocks at the beach with my cousins, and eating feijoas by the bucketload. I am the product of a strong Mum who did most of it by herself. The way that she raised me has a strong influence on me to this day.
What’s my age?
I am 29 years young!
A random fact about me…
My first role involved helping a florist care for her baby while she ran her business. I took a brief break from nannying early in my 20s totrain as a florist.
My ideal day off…
As long as it involves a workout, brunch, catching up with a friend, going for a walk, a home-cooked dinner, and some Netflix in the evening, i’m happy!
How did my career begin?
I started my career as a nanny caring for infants primarily, before transitioning to newborn work full time after training as a Postnatal Carer in 2013.
Where am I based?
I’ve spent the last nine years traveling and living abroad in Australia, Abu Dhabi, and London, working as a Baby Care Specialist.
The last few years, I’ve been traveling full time with clients and have spent extended amounts of time in the U.S., The Caribbean, Mexico, France, and Switzerland. In March 2021, I returned to New Zealand to live for a while. In the future, I will continue to base myself between New Zealand, Australia, and London.
When did I know I wanted to make this my job?
It was apparent from a young age that I would end up working with babies and children. When I was 4, I would be in the babies’ room every day trying to help the staff. My sister arrived when I was 5 and I was a VERY attentive big sister – I’m sure Mum would tell you sometimes I was helpful and sometimes not so much…
I never really seriously thought about any other occupation, and here I am all these years later!
Where did I do my training?
Much of my training took place in the U.K. due to a lack of opportunities at home in New Zealand and Australia.
I completed my Certificate in Postnatal Care through Newborn Education Services and Training (N.E.S.T. U.K.). I expanded my training in the areas of Breastfeeding, Infant and Child Sleep, Reflux and Early Allergies, Birth Trauma, Maternal Complications, and Postnatal Depression through Be Ready to Parent.
Before I transitioned to Newborn Care, I had already participated in a Parenting workshop through Tresillian Australia and Behaviour Basics through Night Nannies Australia.
I recently participated in a Respectful Care course, exploring the different approaches to childcare such as Montessori, Steiner, Pikler, RIE, and other similar methods. I want to complete my training to become a Certified Lactation Counsellor soon.
What is my favourite thing about my job?
I love that my job doesn’t feel like work. It is my passion. New parenthood is an extraordinary time in one’s life, and I consider it a privilege that my clients choose to include me in their journey. Nothing makes me happier than watching my clients become confident in their role as parents to their baby.
Why did I decide to create Ballantyne Baby Consultancy?
I’ve been fortunate to work with many wonderful clients throughout my career. One of the most common pieces of feedback I get from them is how much they benefited from having my support through the early months of parenthood. Ballantyne Baby was born out of a desire to make the services of a Baby Care Specialist available to more families in an accessible and flexible way.
I hope to help families access a Baby Care Specialist who might not have the means to pay for 24-hour in-home support or without having someone in the home with them. With the launch of Ballantyne Baby Consultancy, I hope to raise awareness of the service and to help more families feel as supported as possible.
Now that you know a bit about me, head over to instagram for tips, tricks, advice, Q and A’s and more!
