Exciting news! I have officially applied to take the IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) exam in April 2016!

A lot of people ask me if I have been going to school for this, or how you become a Lactation Consultant. There are a few different pathways, but the most common one, and the one I have done is this:

1) Have a degree or license in one of the IBCLC "Recognized Health Professions" including nurse, dietitian, physician, physical therapist, etc. (Mine is dietitian)
2) Gain 90 continuing education credits in lactation within the past 5 years. (I did these through conferences, trainings, personal study, and webinars)
3) Accumulate 1000 hours working directly with breastfeeding moms over the past 5 years. (I did this by volunteering at breastfeeding walk-in clinics, my experience working at WIC, and my client visits).

In the mean time, I will continue to offer postpartum doula visits as well as breastfeeding-specific visits. I am still a Certified Lactation Counselor (a smaller certification), and many breastfeeding challenges (milk supply, pumping, latch, etc) fall within my scope of practice.

Some people have also been asking me what I'd like to do after taking the exam. After I become an IBCLC, I am planning to continue the same work that I am doing now! I love the home visits I provide for moms, and I especially love the ability to follow families starting during pregnancy and help them get off to a great start with breastfeeding. With early support I can help catch problems before they become big and difficult, and help moms feel more confident with breastfeeding right from the start. It’s so rewarding! I will still do postpartum work as well, but I'll start to have a larger focus on my breastfeeding visits.

Thanks for everyone who has helped provide mentorship for me over the past few years! I’m sure I will come to you with questions, because I am always learning. Wish me luck studying for the exam!

I provide breastfeeding home visits for families in Indianapolis and surrounding areas including Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Avon, and Brownsburg, IN

There is a big learning curve for both moms and babies with breastfeeding during the first 2 weeks after birth. Some people will find that they struggle with sore nipples, a baby that doesn't want to latch, low milk supply, engorgement (or very full, uncomfortable breasts) or babies who want to cluster feed (or feeding very frequently).

Many families are discharged from the hospital after 48-72 hours, and have only just begun to get the hang of breastfeeding. Going home they often feel worried about how to do it by themselves. Their next doctor's appointment might be a week or two away, which is a long time for a newborn!

I like to meet families while they are pregnant, so that I can visit them within a day or 2 after they come home. I often visit 2 - 3 times per week for the first 2 weeks or so, and then weekly or monthly as babies get older. By visiting often, I can help breastfeeding be comfortable and enjoyable for both mom and baby. I bring a scale to every visit, so we can see how much baby take in while nursing and track weights to make sure they're gaining on track.

With early, frequent visits, I can help catch any small problems before they become big, and we can make a plan to get things back on track!

Whether it's your first baby or your third, it's good to have support, encouragement, and helping hands. If you live in the Indianapolis area, I would love to be those things for you!

A lot of people assume because I’m a postpartum doula and a lactation counselor, that I have a leaning towards, alternative medicine, and things of that nature. However, that’s not the case!  I am in favor of whatever type of birth YOU want. A lot of my clients have hospital births, some use midwives and aim for an un-medicated birth. Others are happy with their choice to have an epidural, or follow their doctor’s recommendation for a c-section. I don’t really have a bias. All I want is for a healthy and happy mom and baby!
 
With most topics surrounding babies, raising families, and healthy living, I am not extreme on either end.

I think modern medicine is a good thing. I trust the training and education of doctors, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians, nurses, and other medical professionals. I also appreciate the non-medical approach to well being. I enjoy yoga and breathing exercises (meditation, etc) to manage stress or other non-medical approaches to life and wellness.
 
In my personal and professional life, I like to use the best of both worlds, finding a balance of conventional methods and new ways to do things. For example, I’ve found that “baby wearing” is a convenient way to free up two hands and be mobile, and babies seem to love it! But I don’t have a leaning towards attachment-style parenting. I typically think a balance of styles is the best approach, and try to help parents find the balance that fits their family best!

I hope that with my balanced approach, I can meet your family where YOU are and help you meet your goals and feel more confident with you personal choices in parenting.