Chesterfield mum wins award celebrating women in business after turning her own motherhood struggles into a business helping others

A Chesterfield mum who turned her own challenging experience of early motherhood into a business supporting exhausted parents has been named one of two winners of a special award celebrating mums in business.

Rachel Whittaker, founder of Feather and Sleep, received the Heart of MUMentum Award 2026 at the MUMentum event, alongside fellow winner Shanela, founder of Holistic Pincups, also known as The Womb Lady.

The award, organised by business coach Sophie Harris, was originally intended to recognise just one woman. However, Rachel and Shanela both made such a positive impression that organisers decided to recognise them both for their individual journeys, personalities and contributions.

For Rachel, the recognition marks an important milestone in her journey as a new business owner.

After experiencing significant feeding difficulties, hospital admissions and overwhelming sleep deprivation following the birth of her first child, Rachel understands first-hand how exhausting and isolating early motherhood can be.

Having spent more than 20 years working as a primary school teacher, supporting children and families, Rachel decided to use both her professional experience and personal journey to help other parents.

She launched Feather and Sleep in 2026, offering gentle, personalised sleep support to families with babies and young children aged five months to five years.

She is passionate about helping exhausted mums regain their confidence, feel more like themselves again and enjoy family life without constantly running on empty.

Rachel said her own experiences have shaped the way she supports families, particularly mums who may feel embarrassed, overwhelmed or reluctant to ask for help.

To find out more about Rachel’s infant sleep consultancy business, visit www.featherandsleep.com Follow @featherandsleep