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Lactation and Newborn Care

Lactation and Newborn Care classes are offered at the end of every month!

You will learn the basics for lactation success, including:

-The benefits for both parents and baby
-How the breast/chest works
-When to feed baby
-How to know if baby is getting enough
-How to protect your milk supply
-Technique videos
-Overcoming hurdles
-How partners can help
-Avoiding nipple pain/damage

In my Newborn Care classes, we will cover:

-Newborn medications and procedures after birth
-Bathing strategies and cord stump care
-Newborn jaundice
-Diapering, swaddling and dressing a newborn
-Calming a fussy baby
-Co-sleeping pros and cons
-How to interact and play with a newborn

Your class fee of $45 includes handouts, unlimited phone and email support. For class times and locations, please visit my Facebook page and look under the “events” tab or sign up on my calendar.

I also offer in-home education and support to parents and babies in the immediate postpartum period, which is critical for recovery and bonding in the first few weeks after birth. Imagine not having to leave home for these professional visits! Offered at a rate of $100 per hour.

Why I Became a Certified Lactation Educator

There are three main reasons why I became a Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) through CAPPA – Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association. First, being a CLE added to my expanding knowledge base so I can provide more in-depth services as a labor/birth doula. I help my clients have great success at getting their babies to latch on to the breast/chest within the first 1-2 hours after birth.

I am the first line of defense if my clients are having any lactation problems because I will be seeing them sooner and more often than their doctors. Additionally, I have the knowledge of when to refer them to a healthcare professional when things are not within normal limits.

Secondly, I love to empower parents to feed their babies with knowledge, confidence and support. After my first birthing experience, I was a single mom who only breastfed for the first 6 weeks because I had to go back to work and I did not have the knowledge and support of how to continue.

After my second birth, I educated myself by reading many lactation books while nursing my baby. I overcame extremely sore and damage nipples and learned many things through trial and error. I was able to go back to work after 3 months and my son continued to get expressed milk until he self-weaned at 11 months old.

After the birth of my third, we ended up nursing for 2.5 years! This was my most fulfilling breastfeeding experience. I give much credit to my accumulating knowledge and peer support. These were a key factors that increased my confidence in the lactation process.

Lastly, there is a need to provide an out-of-hospital lactation education option, especially for home birthing parents. I currently teaching lactation classes at Beginnings Birth Center as a part of my 8 week childbirth class series.

I am hoping that the CLE letters behind my name will give me more credibility within the obstetrical/midwifery community, so they feel confident referring their clients to me. In-home education and support to parents and babies in the immediate postpartum period proves to be critical for recovery and bonding.