What is an IBCLC?
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) function and contribute as members of the maternal-child health team. They provide care in a variety of settings, while making appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community support resources as needed.
About Me
About Me
My journey to becoming an IBCLC:
A natural-born nurturer, I’ve spent 10 years supporting families as an obstetrical nurse, IBCLC lactation consultant, and postpartum doula during the vulnerable moments of childbirth and first months postpartum.
It was obvious lactation education varied greatly amongst hospital staff (comprehensive, evidence-based breastfeeding education is NOT covered in nursing/medical school) so I started the process of becoming an IBCLC early on in my professional career.
After a few years of continuing education and 1,000+ clinical hours, I was able to sit and successfully pass the IBCLC exam. This motivated me to learn, educate, and empower women in all things maternal/infant health: family planning, pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum, and parenting. It was my own postpartum journey that changed the trajectory of my professional career. After a beautiful pregnancy, fast labor, and uneventful birth of our baby, my instincts were ignored with the birth of my placenta.
It took three days to receive the surgery I begged for just hours after becoming a mom. Unfortunately, I suffered in silence from undiagnosed PTSD for my baby’s first 18 months of life. 18 months I could have been thriving, and not just surviving as a new momma. It became clear that my education, research, and credentials simply weren’t enough. A mother’s instincts can be life-saving and should never be ignored. So, my journey as an intuitively-led lactation consultant began.
My Certifications
Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Emporia State University - 2013
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) - 2015
Herbal Support in Lactation and Infant Care for the Health Professional - 2021
GOLD Learning Tongue-Tie Symposium - 2021