Our Team
The Milk and Honey Paediatric team share a holistic, family focused approach to medicine. They have a special interest in Mother/Kaitiaki and Baby medicine which encompasses breastfeeding medicine, sleep, feeding and growth issues as well as general paediatric problems.
.jpg)
Dr Abby Baskett (she/her)
Paediatrician and Breastfeeding
Specialist (FRACP, IBCLC, NDC accredited)
Dr Carmen Basu she/her
Paediatrician FRACP
Abby is a mother of 3 energetic boys, and works in the Starship Emergency Department as a Consultant Paediatrician. Abby has a special interest in infant feeding and breastfeeding problems, is a qualified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and is trained to assess and release tongue-ties.
Abby is NDC (Neuroprotective Developmental Care) accredited.
Her aim is to work with families to provide the best possible start in life for their babies.
Carmen is a British and NZ trained Consultant Paediatrician who specialises in a wide range of paediatric conditions. Carmen prefers a holistic approach, and has 20 years of experience.
Outside of Medicine, Carmen is raising 2 lively Samoan/Indian/German sons trying to put into practice everything she has ever learnt about babies and children! She treasures time with beautiful people and likes to be creative. she also loves fashion, cats, classic whodunnit novels, F45 and nourishing the soul at Piha.
Dr Rebecca Griffith
Rebecca is a paediatrician with over 20 years’ experience in paediatrics and paediatric research including her PhD about neurodevelopment in preschool aged children. She also works at Kidz First, Counties Manukau providing care and support to young children following preterm birth, or health issues in the newborn period. She values research as a way to work towards improving the health and wellbeing of our children.
Rebecca is mum to a lively daughter and enjoys the great outdoors (the main reason for moving from the UK many years ago), reading books and music
Paediatrician
(Developmental and general issues)
Dr Terri Bidwell
Paediatric orthopaedic Surgeon
Terri is a New Zealand trained Orthopaedic Specialist She has completed a Fellowship in Paediatric Orthopaedics and Paediatric Hand Surgery from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas Texas. Terri has worked at Starship in Paediatric Orthopaedics since 2006 as well as in private practice.
Terri has worked for MSF (Doctors Without Borders) treating children in Afghanistan, Haiti and Gaza.
When she is not working Terri can be found running, swimming and adventuring. She has competed in multiple endurance sports and understands the positive impact that sports and activities have on a mental health, physical well being and life enjoyment. Her passion is to help children optimize their ability to participate in physical activities. She is surgically trained but also has strong interest in using exercise and physical therapies when appropriate
Natalie Cowley
Nurse /Manager
Natalie has been a nurse for 18 years with the last 16 focused on Paediatrics. She found her calling in Emergency nursing and has worked in the Starship Emergency Department for the majority of her career.
In that time she has had 4 babies of her own which sparked her passion for supporting new mums and babies with breastfeeding and also the challenges faced throughout the first year.
Outside nursing Natalie is an avid home baker with a passion for cakes and cupcakes. When not busy running around after the girls Natalie enjoys spending her time socialising, exercising and reading.
Jackie Tritt
Registered Psychologist (Child and Family)
Jackie is a registered psychologist supporting children and young persons with educational and developmental assessments.
Jackie is passionate about supporting children with early developmental identification and evidence-based interventions. She utilises a neurodiverse affirming, strengths-based approach, and has extensive experience identifying and supporting neurodiverse children, adults, and their families. Assessments offered include Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Giftedness, Specific Learning Disorders and Difficulties, and Intellectual Disability.
Jackie is a mum to two gorgeous young children who keep her very active. She loves the beach, travelling overseas, and adventures with her family.
Louise Pearce
Paediatric Physiotherapist
- Advanced Scope Clinician
Louise has experience treating a wide range of acute and chronic childhood conditions from newborn babies to adolescence. Due to Louise’s extensive training, she is able to assess all aspects of your child’s health and how it may be influencing other aspects of their well-being. Louise works under the title of Visiting Neuro-developmental Therapist (VNT) in addition to a paediatric physiotherapist.
Louise is a hands-on clinician who has completed a number of Bobath courses (treatment approach to help infants and children move), is Prechtl General Movements Assessment trained (to aid early detection of Cerebral Palsy), and is skilled in Paediatric Continence Physiotherapy. She has completed further post-graduate studies in Rehabilitation and is currently working with The University of Auckland and Cerebral Palsy Alliance to assist in further research into Cerebral Palsy.
Speech Language Therapist
Paediatric and Infant Feeding Specialties
Stella Karamanshe/her
Stella has SLT experience spanning over 10 years from infancy through adulthood. Stella brings holistic knowledge of the lifespan to her chosen specialty of paediatric and infant feeding. Stella is certified in both NZ and the USA. She is passionate about continuing education having done research into the lived experience of mothers interacting with their infant.
Stella’s role with Te Whatu Ora Health NZ Waitemata District complements her private practice. Her mission is to walk alongside and strengthen through empowerment the communities raising our Pepe and Tamariki.
Stella is mama to a magical toddler. Stella enjoys good food, the arts, spending time with friends and family, nature and the outdoors, volunteering her time as well as practicing and teaching yoga.
.jpg)
Rachael Wilson she/her
Dietician
Say hello to Rachael, a highly experienced paediatric dietitian with nearly two decades of expertise in her field. Originally from Ireland and trained in the UK, she has been calling New Zealand her home for the past 11 years. Throughout her career, Rachael has worked in various settings, including a large paediatric hospital and a national research trial for children with type 1 diabetes.
Rachael is one of only seven individuals who have been trained and mentored by the prestigious Ellyn Satter Foundation. Her expertise is extensive and spans a wide range of areas. However, she specializes in addressing feeding issues and supporting people to develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. She also provides support for Starting solids with your baby in a responsive way, restrictive or disordered eating, fussy or selective eaters, children with allergies and intolerances, IBS, Coeliac disease and FODMAPS, growth or weight concerns, and diabetes management. Rachael understands that motherhood is a significant transition and offers support for mothers to feel good about their bodies. She has training in body image support, and her background in mindfulness and creative mindfulness for children, alongside positive parenting, helps support families in a more holistic way.
Rachael is passionate about helping children and their families establish a healthy relationship with food. She ensures that every child has access to a nutritious diet that meets their unique needs and follows a non diet and HAES approach. Contact Rachael to receive tailored nutrition plans and support to help your child achieve optimal nutrition and health.
Amy Sherpa
Amy is a Registered Neonatal Nurse and has worked as a Sleep Practitioner for 8 years incorporating the possums approach into her practice. She is currently completing her NDC (Neuroprotective Developmental Care) Accreditation. Her Speciality is in working with mothers who are feeling exhausted from misinformation and quick fixes. Amy follows up Milk and Honey Paediatricians clients for the complete professional and personable experience.