About Me
Hi! I’m glad you’re here.
I am an IBCLC and founder of Bridges Lactation. I hold a Bachelors in Anthropology and a Masters in Public Health from University of Maryland and completed my lactation education and clinical hours at University of California San Diego. I currently live in Gaithersburg with my husband, 2 daughters, 2 cats, and 6 chickens! When I’m not with clients you can find me outside with my girls, baking a decadent chocolate dessert, or reading.
I have helped hundreds of families feed their babies through every stage, from pregnancy to weaning, and with every method, from breast to bottle to pumping to formula. I care deeply that you feel supported and have a feeding relationship that is mutually beneficial, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone involved.
My Approach
Feeding your baby is a very personal and sensitive space and so when you need support, so if possible it is important to find feeding support that resonates with your family values and parenting style. Beyond infant feeding, the postpartum period in general is a sacred time and you deserve to only have people enter that space who feel safe and supportive.
I focus on promoting and fostering your baby’s natural feeding instincts and abilities. I respect for the innate wisdom of our bodies and believe that babies (and parents!) are much more capable than we often give them credit for. I never use forceful techniques when encouraging an infant to latch and honor the verbal and nonverbal cues provided by both parent and infant which communicate their boundaries. I do not believe there is any one position or technique that is “best”, but I do emphasize those that are most conducive to infant-led attachment, such as laid back positioning.
I believe that breastfeeding is a reciprocal relationship that should be mutually beneficial to both you and your baby. In practice, this means that I do not push breastfeeding agendas on a parent when they communicate that it is not feasible or desirable for their situation. I do not believe that breastfeeding should “succeed” at the expense of the parent’s mental or physical health. Breastfeeding is a relationship contingent on bodily consent, and it is only in the context of a wholehearted “yes” that both the parent and baby will thrive.
I aim to provide evidence-based infant feeding education to parents without judgement. Breastfeeding can be an emotionally charged space and I believe it is my role as a care provider to not add to that dynamic, but instead provide the research and allow the parents to make an informed choice.
Finally, I prioritize a family’s individual context and infant feeding goals when creating a plan of care. While the Internet can provide broad recommendations on length and type of infant feeding, I am able to spend extended time with families to create personalized feeding plans that take into account their unique environment. I support parents with all infant feeding styles, including combination feeding, exclusive breastfeeding, exclusive pumping, and formula feeding.
If this approach is in alignment with your values, please schedule a 15 minute free discovery call or book a visit here.
Education and Certifications
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) - International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE)
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) - Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP)
Masters in Public Health, Behavioral and Community Health - University of Maryland
Bachelors in Anthropology, Medical Anthropology - University of Maryland
Lactation Education Counselor (LEC) - University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Lactation Consultant Pathway 2 - University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Member of International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
Member of United States Lactation Consultants Association (USLCA)
Tethered Oral Tissues - Oral Rehabilitation of Breastfeeding Dyad IBCLC Masterclass
Herbal Support for Lactation and Infants - Luna Lactation