Thank you so much for your support! I'm happily nursing my almost 5 month old (longer than my other two children) thanks to your support through challenges that I couldn't resolve on my own! I only wish I had your support in the past so I could have reached my nursing goals then. Thank you SO MUCH!

What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant? 

An International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLE)

IBCLC's are:

  • Recognized the world over as possessing the only standardized, board-certified lactation credential available
  • Knowledgeable about up-to-date evidence-based practices in lactation as demonstrated through a rigorous exam process
  • Experienced in a wide variety of complex breastfeeding situations
  • Competent to assist mothers with establishing and sustaining breastfeeding, even in the midst of difficulties and high-risk situations that can arise
  • Sensitive to the needs of both mothers and children as they work to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals
  • Ethical in their practice, abiding by Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics and working within a defined Scope of Practice

IBCLC's help mothers and families with:

  • Prenatal breastfeeding assessment and counselling
  • Positioning and latch of an infant
  • Prevention and management of maternal concerns such as breast pain and engorgement
  • Establishing and increasing milk production
  • Premature babies
  • Infants with neurological deficits or physical disabilities
  • Suck difficulties that interfere with breastfeeding
  • Confidence to breastfeed for as long as mother and baby want
  • Breastfeeding-supportive measures when mother and baby are separated due to work, medical or educational issues
When to book an appointment with the Lactation Consultant? (this list is not inclusive)
  • you and/or your baby are having a hard time with breastfeeding
  • your breasts or nipples hurt (engorgement, mastitis, thrush, cracks, bleeding, blisters)
  • your baby is not gaining weight very well or at all
  • your baby is jaundiced
  • baby is not having the expected pees and poops
  • you are worried about how your baby acts during or after breastfeeding
  • you are worried you might have too much or too little milk
  • baby is fussy a lot of the time
  • baby is sleepy at the breast or challenging to wake up 
  • your baby has a tongue tie (even if it has been "clipped")
  • your baby has a cleft lip or palate or other medical concerns
  • you are on medications or have health concerns you think may impact breastfeeding 

A Lactation Consultant can provide you with information, offer you support and a care plan to address concerns.
We can also:
  • explain what may have caused the problems you are experiencing 
  • suggest choices to help you correct a problem
  • work with you to decide on a care of plan
  • suggest supplies or tools you can use
  • give you instructions to take home
  • tell you how to know signs of improvement or signs that you need to come back
  • tell you when and how to follow up or check in  
  • send reports to your other care providers as requested ​

As an IBCLC, my practices include evidence-based, current practices and I am always working on continuing education. Anatomical variances such as "tongue ties" and "lip ties" are an area of particular interest with several years of experience. I work closely with other health care professionals and have a good team of other providers that are also beneficial to improving breastfeeding.