I am a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) certified through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP). A CLC is a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge to provide breastfeeding counseling and management support to families during the course of breastfeeding/lactation.

I have completed a 52-hour training course, passed the ALPP exam and demonstrated the clinical competencies and skills required to provide safe, evidenced-based counseling for pregnant, lactating and breastfeeding families.

I have also been a Registered Nurse since 2015 and I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Candidate. I completed a 90-hour lactation course. I started working as a lactation consultant in August 2021 under my RN license at a local hospital to earn my 1,000 clinical hours to sit for the IBCLC exam. I will sit for the IBCLC exam in Fall 2022.

Breastfeeding support can help the mother who: has sore or damaged nipples, has pain during feeding, has creased or lipstick shaped nipples after a feeding, has had recurring clogged ducts/mastitis.

Breastfeeding support can help the baby who: does not wake on his own for feedings at least 8 times in a 24-hour period, latches on and off during the feeding, falls asleep at the breast within a few minutes of latching, feeds for more than 30 minutes without appearing satisfied, seems frustrated at the breast, clicking sounds heard when feeding, poor weight gain

I integrate bodywork with breastfeeding support because I believe breastfeeding problems and tightness in the body are interconnected. For example, with oral restrictions, I often see tightness along the length of the body. By releasing and unwinding tight fascia throughout the body, the symptoms of oral restrictions can improve (for example, decreased pain while nursing, no longer clicking while nursing, no longer having a side preference when nursing, and more!).

The Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy is founded by Dr. Barry Gillespie, based on his theory that the craniosacral and fascial systems are one interconnected system.

The craniosacral system includes structures of the brain, spinal cord and sacrum that gently pumps cerebrospinal fluid. The fascia is a continuous layered web of connective tissue that surrounds and protects all structures of the body and brain. It also influences the function of cranial nerves and the central nervous system. Physical and emotional traumas have the capacity to tighten the free-moving craniosacral fascial system by exerting pressure on nerves, muscles, organs, blood and lymph vessels, and bones.

The goal of craniosacral fascial therapy is to gently unwind and release fascial strain because releasing tight fascia allows the cranial bones and sacrum to correct, allowing for optimal mobility and better brain function. Releasing tight fascia facilitates the cerebrospinal fluid to flow optimally, giving the body space to heal, as the body is self-healing and self-regulating.

Bodywork is beneficial for all babies! By releasing tightness in the craniosacral fascial system, the body has space to function optimally… leading to healthy, happy, thriving babies.

SIGNS YOUR BABY COULD BENEFIT FROM BODYWORK:

• birth trauma: forceps or vacuum used at birth, long or fast labor, c-section

• breastfeeding issues: poor latch or difficulty sucking, feeding side preference, clicking sounds while nursing, poor weight gain

• airway issues: snoring, mouth breathing, arching when asleep

• GI issues: reflux, gas, constipation, spits up after every feed

• tethered oral tissues (TOTs)

• torticollis

• flat spots on the head

• grunts a lot and seems uncomfortable; general fussiness

• body tension; baby is stiff and likes to stand