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Lactation Consulting Experience

  • Registered Nurse (RN) in both California and Washington State
  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW)
  • Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
  • Experience working in crisis intervention
  • Experience working with postpartum mood disorders
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certified

I have over 25 years lactation consulting experience working as a Registered Nurse in women’s health care, pediatrics, and as a practicing Lactation Consultant in hospitals and clinics in the Seattle area, including starting a lactation consultation department at a major hospital.

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My Philosophy

I have a belief that mothers are strong. They find their strength at different rates and in different ways. There are times when new mothers feel overwhelmed with information and then question their ability. New moms receive so much information from friends, family, the Internet, and their doctors. While some of it is good advice, some isn’t and when new moms are sleep deprived, it can be a difficult time to tell fact from fiction. What works for one mom and her family may not work for you. I can help you develop and implement a plan that is tailored for you and your life. I’m always amazed and humbled by the resilience of new mothers and am honored to be a part of the journey.

Every mother/baby pair is different. When working with my clients, I like to use empirical evidence, my over 25 years of anecdotal evidence, and common sense.

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This is part of what makes my job so much fun! My clients want to be the best parents they can be. I can help you feel confident enough to feed your baby in the way you choose. Having my own private practice allows me to spend as much time as I need to help you make your goals a reality.

I have many years of experience facilitating support groups. These groups included an emotional support group for new moms, sponsored by Postpartum Support International, Breastfeeding Support Group, and Low-milk supply group. I developed a medically and developmentally based curriculum about babies and taught classes for doulas. Since I’m so passionate about babies and kids, I have volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), being a voice for kids who have been removed from their home.

It’s an honor to be the only Lactation Consultant on the provider list for Postpartum Support International, and they sponsored the support group that I facilitated. In 2016, I gave a presentation at Children’s Hospital in Seattle called: “The Connection Between Breastfeeding Difficulties and Postpartum Mood Disorders.”

As you can see, I’m passionate about supporting new families during this beautiful and sometimes difficult time.

In my spare time I enjoy running, traveling, eating at nice restaurants, and having conversations with friends and family. I consider myself a chocolate aficionado, though I really might be a chocolate snob. I’m also the mother of two grown children and have three young grandchildren.

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My Story and Professional Experience

As an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Registered Nurse (RN) I’ve worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) helping moms and babies breastfeed, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) helping moms and older babies breastfeed, worked with moms and babies before they leave the hospital, home visits, clinic visits, and phone consultations. As a registered nurse, (RN) I’ve worked as an OB/GYN outpatient clinic nurse, family practice triage nurse, GI nurse, and oncology nurse.

I facilitated a PSI (postpartum support international) group and am the only lactation consultant on their referral list. I’ve had a lot of training in postpartum mood disorders (depression and anxiety) and suffered from this myself when each of my two children were born. I had problematic pregnancies and was on bedrest for essentially two entire pregnancies. My first baby had surgery when he was one month and my second baby was premature. So I know first hand how overwhelming the postpartum time can be and how difficult it can be to navigate the medical and mental health systems.