I'm a mom to two great kids and a proud military spouse. You could say I have a soft spot for families, especially ones trying to breastfeed/chestfeed, induce lactation or provide breastmilk to their baby.

 

My breastfeeding journey was filled with its share of ups and downs. All of it was really a slow grow to become a dedicated International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) helping others find their way.

 

My interest in breastfeeding began while working for WIC (Women Infant & Children) as a Wellness Counselor. While working there I became a Certified Lactation Counselor via Healthy Children and a Certified Educator of Infant Massage.  As with life in the military, we moved and I was blessed to be employed by Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC as a Breastfeeding Educator. I quickly realized I  needed to pursue the gold standard of lactation care which was to become an IBCLC. I got to work and completed my clinicals at Virginia Hospital Center via Lactation Education Resources (Want to Become an IBCLC?) which I highly recommend. This followed an amazing opportunity at Chippenham/Johnston Willis Medical Center in Richmond, VA as an IBCLC rounding on mother-baby, Pediatric/Pediatric ICU and in the level III NICU. Within a year of hiring, I became the lead IBCLC assisting policy changes, mentoring up and coming IBCLC's and instituting best practices as we worked on Breastfeeding Friendly VA Hospital designation. I am now happily working in Private Practice and a member of the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition.

 

I proudly support Breastfeeding USA (mother to mother support). If you wish to help other moms in a mother to mother capacity this is a wonderful organization to look into. 

 

If your expecting and want to learn more, you've come to the right place. If your looking for help, I know you’ve been through a lot and you know what – you got this. Let's work through this together.

 

melanie

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