Born and raised in Sarasota, Fl. I started my career in 2002 working at Manatee Memorial Hospital as a Mother/Baby nurse. I personally had many breastfeeding challenges which led me to want to help other women during their journey. In 2011 after becoming an IBCLC I joined Katie Powers at M.O.M.M. s place, located at MMH, here I worked inpatient as an IBCLC and outpatient childbirth educator. In 2021 I joined the Loop where I love working with moms in the outpatient setting. I have a husband and 3 beautiful “babies” of my own.

Although I help mothers with all of their breastfeeding needs, I am especially knowledgeable about dietary and/or allergy concerns. It is such a privilege to be able to come alongside women in this beautiful and transforming time in their lives, helping each individual dyad learn this dance together.

I hold a bachelors degree in both biology and nursing from The Sage Colleges in Troy, NY. I have 7 years of nursing experience in pediatric intensive care, including pre and post operative transplant patients. I left intensive care and settled into a pediatrician’s office just before the birth of my first child. There I was introduced to an IBCLC who became paramount to my breastfeeding success. I struggled to breastfeed my daughter from the very start, experiencing many of the common challenges. Tears of frustration (and there were lots) eventually led to tears of joy! Breastfeeding her past the one year mark was and will probably forever be my greatest achievement. Inspired by this experience, I became an IBCLC in 2013. After working briefly in a private practice setting, I had two more babies (and two wonderful breastfeeding experiences) at which point I chose to step away to be at home with my children.

I am thrilled to have connected with Jennifer, having the opportunity to walk alongside her team of consultants as they educate, support and advocate for breastfeeding families. I love being a part of the women supporting women culture. I am passionate about mothers and their babes and truly would be honored to be a part of your breastfeeding story. I have also recently completed a master class for assessment and treatment of infant oral function and tethered oral tissues, working collaboratively with Childrens Therapy Solutions to help families whose babies struggle with these issues.

I currently live in Northwest Bradenton with my husband and our three wildly energetic children. In my down time, you can find me teaching group fitness classes at One Tribe Fitness, cheering on the sidelines of youth sports games and roaming the country with my family in our little RV.

I am a Florida native and currently located in the North Dallas Fort Worth area. I am a wife of 13 years and a mother to three beautiful children. After an extended NICU stay with my first daughter, I had found my calling. The care and support that I received from the lactation consultants I met during that time made all the difference. Each journey of mine has been different and through those experiences I have found support from the consultants in my life.

I’ve been volunteering as a lactation peer counselor and caring for families for over 9 years. I earned my Certified Lactation Counselor certificate in 2019 and continued on to earn the gold standard of lactation credential, International board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) in 2022 in honor of my oldest daughter and biggest inspiration who passed away in 2019.

My personal experience comes from years of exclusively pumping, extended breastfeeding, nursing through tongue and lip tie revisions, dealing with oversupply, food sensitivities, and breastfeeding through trauma. One of my core values is to provide a safe space where dyads can ask questions and seek support. I believe in a team effort that includes a support system of knowledgeable care specialists to successfully assist toward a clients individual breastfeeding goals. I want to encourage and empower families to succeed through support, troubleshooting, expectation, and encouragement and evidence-based care. Breastfeeding becomes a huge part of those early years and I am proud to be a part of that unit.

Hello, I’m Rachel!

My personal experiences with birth and breastfeeding, along with my background as a Speech Language Pathologist, fueled my desire to help other moms feel encouraged and equipped. After many years of offering peer-to-peer support, I became a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist and am currently pursuing my IBCLC certification.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in 2012. I worked as a Speech Pathology Assistant in the public school setting where I provided therapy to students with varying degrees of articulation, language, and pragmatic disorders. I graduated with my Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology in 2017. Since then, I have had experience working as an SLP in multiple settings including pediatric home health, public schools, and skilled nursing facilities.

My individual breastfeeding journey started 5 1/2 years ago when I had my first child. I now have three young children ages 5, 3, 2, and soon to be newborn. I have personal experiences with tongue and lip tie revisions, pumping during employment, tandem nursing, breastfeeding through pregnancy, breastfeeding an adopted child, extended breastfeeding, natural weaning, donating breastmilk, and standing up for my breastfeeding rights!

I have been married to my husband Aaron for 8 years, and we live in North Texas. We live a holistic lifestyle and enjoy trying new foods, being outdoors, and watching documentaries!

For 10 years my passion for breastfeeding has only grown by helping those around me succeed in feeding their babies. I am a wife and mother of 3 wonderful kids. I have worked with children for over 15 years as a nanny. My love for breastfeeding began with my own children, each breastfeeding experience was different of course! I have nursed through tethered tissues, PPD, and food sensitivities myself. It was after nursing my last child that I decided to pursue a career as an IBCLC.

Once certified, in collaboration with my Bachelors Degree in Psychology, I look forward to not only helping your breastfeeding journey run smoothly but also be an emotional support to you and your partner through all aspects. With my youngest, I hit several bumps and didn’t know that I could reach out and receive support. My goal is to be that person, helping mothers extend their breastfeeding journey with confidence.

Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida I am a wife and mother of 4 children. I spent most of my life involved in the vast arts community Sarasota offers. I modeled, was on a local tv show and performed in many theatrical productions. I have been a local dance instructor/choreographer for 20 years and have worked in local Doctors offices for over 10 years. I absolutely love children and after marrying the love of my life and becoming a stepmother to 2 young children, I was so excited to have babies myself. I was very determined to have natural labor and deliveries and to do extended breastfeeding. I absolutely loved breastfeeding but had many challenges. Some of the challenges I had were extreme engorgement, colic, food allergies, bottle refusal, sleep issues, etc. After overcoming these challenges I became a certified lactation counselor in 2018 so I could help other mothers with their breastfeeding journeys. My father had been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer when I was pregnant with my son and we were told he didn’t have much time left. There’s research showing breast milk kills cancer cells so after my son was born and nursing was well established I increased my milk supply and started pumping extra milk for my dad. He would put it in his coffee, tea or mix with regular milk and drink it after his chemo treatments. It dramatically reduced his nausea and increased his recovery time. He lived much longer than the doctors expected and he believed the breast milk was one of the reasons. I promised him that after he passed I would expand my knowledge and practice. A year after his passing I joined the amazing ladies at Lactation Loop and obtained my IBCLC in his honor. I also work for one of Sarasota’s most prominent OBGYN’s as well as The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. I am honored to be with all of these amazing groups providing outstanding lactation care to the mothers and babies of our community. My mission is to help as many mothers and babies have the best breastfeeding journey possible and to help mothers achieve their own personal breastfeeding goals.

I have providing independent childbirth education to Florida families for over two decades. I have been a home visiting nurse, lactation counselor and notary public for 15 years and in 2019 became an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I perform infant metabolic screenings and hearing screenings in your home. I have assisted and supported hundreds of births, from simple to complex, in home settings, in birth centers and in hospitals throughout Southwest Florida. As a nurse, lactation consultant, doula and birth assistant, I have developed a unique evidence-based curriculum by collaborating with midwives, doctors and, most importantly, patients to offer pregnant families exactly the information they need. I endorse family-centered maternity care, regardless of insurance, socio-economic status, education, culture or parenting style.

“My teaching methods always reflect my passionate belief in a woman’s ability to give birth and to express the process of birth as a natural and healthy part of her life.”

I have two grown children. When I’m not working in the healthcare field, I’m on the road as a songwriter, singer and guitarist for the Americana band Passerine. To Book Childbirth Classes visit In Your Nest.

Also known as Breastfeeding with Cari, LLC; she services the East Coast of Florida, Boynton Beach area. Originally from Brooklyn New York, Cari has been a Registered Nurse for over 40 Years. She has lived in Palm Beach County area for the past 19 years. As an RN in the Hospital setting Cari’s experience includes NICU, Pediatrics and Mother/Baby care where she also served as the Lead Lactation Consultant at Boca Regional Hospital. There she was instrumental in establishing a Milk Depot important to the safe storage and delivery of breast milk. Cari is a certified infant massage instructor. Her credentials include Director of a Home Care Service company in New York. Additionally, she spent 10 years as a Community Nurse working directly with children and their families, diagnosed with Familia Dysautonomia.

Cari has been married for 50 years, is a mother of two and has five grandchildren. Her passion is to empower mothers and babies on their breastfeeding journey.

Owner of Mama Bean Lactation Services, Maureen is a NICU Nurse and IBCLC for over 25 years, servicing Broward and Palm Beach county Florida. She is also an instructor for a 3 day breastfeeding certification course though Florida State University under their Center for Prevention and Early Intervention program.

Maureen has a vast knowledge of Infant breastfeeding and newborn development, working in a variety of roles. As a clinical development coordinator she created tools and strategies to increase breastfeeding education and success along with working for Ameda, Inc. where she was instrumental in increasing breastfeeding awareness and breast pump availability across the country.

Maureen also was a Founding Board member of the HMBANA Milk Bank of Florida, which was key in collaborating with hospitals across the state to open milk depot sites.

In her free time, Maureen volunteers her time at Women in Distress assisting new mothers with Breastfeeding concerns and safe infant care.

My passion for healthcare began after multiple personal injuries that led to a slew of doctors' appointments. After seeing family doctors, cardiologists, and neurologists, my health did not begin to see a turnaround until I found a practitioner that saw me as a whole person. Through this journey, I fell in love with healthcare and became passionate about cultivating a practice of holistic care.

My intrinsic drive for health care took me to NC State University where I graduated with a BS in human biology and a minor in nutrition. During my time in college, I carried out nutrition research through the University Honors Program and helped start a National Organization for Rare Disorders chapter, which bolstered awareness for rare disorders. But most importantly, my interest in lactation began through the nutrition program at NC State where I completed classes in maternal and infant nutrition and clinical breastfeeding. To further my proficiency in lactation, I moved to Florida for a year to work with The Lactation Loop and received direct mentorship from many IBCLCs.

Now back in North Carolina, I am excited to support other breastfeeding dyads and enjoy motherhood as I am now nursing my first born. My goal is to serve the greater triangle area with research-based, holistic care that puts families' needs and goals first.

My passion for breastfeeding stems from my experience as a mother in need and has continued through my 30 years of supporting breastfeeding women and families. Breastfeeding involves two people, little ones keep changing and so do you!   Understanding your body and baby so you can work together as a breastfeeding dyad eliminates some breastfeeding booby traps. Allow me to be the booby detective and help you meet your breastfeeding goals.

My personal journey into the lactation world as a mother literally came crying for help to a La Leche League Volunteer Leader.  After a lot of time, support, and education, I was able to successfully breastfeed all three children despite several challenges along the way. 

Inspired by my La Leche League support I decided to volunteer as a leader and began working with breastfeeding families in 1992.  In 1998 and a baby on my lap, I finished my bachelors degree and became an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant.  My volunteer work turned into a breastfeeding career that has now spanned 30 years.  I’ve been a New York resident for most of my life, currently residing in Orange County with my husband of almost 40 years, raised our 3 children and now enjoy our 2 grandchildren.

My lactation career has been diverse. Starting the first local hospital lactation department in my area that included a breast pump rental station.  After 10 years I left the hospital to become part of the Ameda breastfeeding team, working on the education and advisory boards. I worked with top names in the lactation industry to bring cutting edge breastfeeding education to caregivers of lactating families.  At Ameda I worked with national companies on the distribution process for breast pumps through the Affordable Health Care Act. 

My next adventure was becoming the coordinator for the lactation department I created back in 1999.  In my role as coordinator, I initiated a Quality improvement NICU Skin-to-Skin project, winning runner up in NYC at the 1199 Nurses Union conference.  My responsibilities included staff management, breastfeeding and donor milk policies, implementing a program to train lactation interns, create patient educational projects and presenting data to pediatric grand rounds annually.  I was one of the founders of the local professional association, the Mid-Hudson lactation consortium, and collaborated on selection of continuing education for lactation consultants in the area.

Raised in beautiful and sunny South Florida, I attended Florida State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. I then furthered my education by obtaining a master’s degree in Nursing Administration from Barry University.

After the birth of my second son and my own breastfeeding journey, I was driven to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant while I continued my career as a bedside nurse in the NICU.

I have extensive experience working with infants and women. For 35 years, i have worked as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and in the past served as their staff educator. Along with postpartum nursing care at another hospital for over 10 years.

Currently I continue to work as a lactation consultant at a local hospital in the NICU and postpartum area.

I would love to be part of your breastfeeding journey. Working in the acute care setting has always been a joy but breastfeeding education and support in the home are my passion.

I currently live in Jupiter with my husband, we enjoy long walks and nights at the beach. I also love playing tennis.

After living for 47 years in the US Virgin Islands, I re-located to St. Petersburg three years ago and could not be happier in my new home and new jobs!

After having a home birth of my own 45 years ago, I became a home birth midwife and practiced in the islands for 35 years. I did take a year midway through that career and worked in a large Los Angeles hospital as a labor and delivery nurse to see the other side of the coin. I came running back to home birth and the islands! I became a Certified Childbirth Educator with both the Bradley Method and the International Childbirth Education Association 30 years ago. I taught childbirth and breastfeeding both privately and in groups and found my passion as a teacher.

When I retired from midwifery, I decided I wanted to focus on the post partum arena for the remainder of my career. I love working with and helping moms at a time when they are their most vulnerable and empowered.

In 2009, I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and worked both privately and in a pediatric practice until I made my move back inland.

I have been a part of the Lactation Team at the Bayfront Baby Place for three years now and am so excited about joining Jen and the Lactation Loop team. I’m hoping to help many new moms in the St. Petersburg area over the next few years. At the moment, I teach all classes at Bayfront Baby Place both virtually and in person also hosting their Mom-Baby group. I have a grown son who I was so lucky to be able to breastfeed for a year and his children had all the benefits of breast milk for almost two!

A good day for me, is being able to help one mom and baby feel more happy and comfortable on their feeding journey, however that may look.

My calling has always been mothers and babies. I started out in child development and eventually became a CPM midwife while living and working in Haiti for 28 years. I recognized how important and life saving breastfeeding was for babies and when I returned to the US to live, I became an IBCLC now serving the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Areas.

My passion is to help moms and babies along their feeding journey regardless of feeding preference.

I have been married for 49 years and have two grown children and six grandchildren. I have many years of experience with families and women having a variety of social backgrounds and settings.

I truly love women and babies and love serving them through the postpartum period and beyond.

Warm memories of being snuggled into my mother’s chest and watching her tandem feed my twin siblings served as a catalyst for my personal breastfeeding journey. I remember her enjoying herself and tenderly stroking our cheeks. I was shocked when I figured out how difficult it was. I struggled hard with my first born. I accepted this as normal and told myself the pain was a sacrifice I had to make to breastfeed. It wasn’t until my second born came into the world that I sought out better care and a Lactation Loop employee armed me with knowledge and empowered me to have a more successful breastfeeding experience. This time, I was able to really enjoy it without pain. I knew breastfeeding was natural and healthy, I knew I was designed for it. I didn’t know I would need help.

These two contrasting experiences inspired me so greatly that I wanted to be a bridge of support between mother and baby, too. I knew I wanted to help mothers and caregivers in my native community understand lactation. After I found success in my second breastfeeding journey, I sought out Jen and applied to be a student in her mentorship program. I am honored to be a student under Lactation Loop. She encouraged me to achieve my CLC and then work towards becoming an IBCLC. In between having my two children I was able to secure a B.A. in Psychology. I took classes that focused specifically on children and women, and I plan to use my psychology education in the capacity of an IBCLC by offering a sense of tranquility and acceptance to each unique home and client.

You will remember each breastfeeding journey you have for the rest of your life. I want to make sure you remember it as a beautiful time. My oldest, whom is 6 years old, still reminisces about being at the breast. I breast fed him until he was 27 months. My youngest is 13 months and we are still going strong. I want you to be confident and your baby to be comfortable breastfeeding and I am passionate about overcoming any barriers you may experience, as well as making specialized care accessible.

Heather, originally a labor and delivery nurse, went into lactation six years ago. She began her lactation career in the hospital setting, caring for intrapartum, postpartum and NICU feeding families. She has three children, all with different breastfeeding journeys. They had a range of difficulties from low milk supply to lack of support, but after a deep dive of education and personal growth she was able to nurse more successfully with each baby.

When she is not working with lactation families you can find her outdoors mounting biking camping or hiking.

“ I love that breastfeeding is not just about breastfeeding your baby, it’s about finding your inner strength. Breastfeeding may not be easy but when you work out all of the kinks you find out you were stronger than you thought. Its the best bonding with your baby, a bond that lasts a lifetime. “

Born and raised in South East Michigan. My passion for assisting families with breastfeeding started after struggling with my first child. I recognized the support needed during these tender first days and beyond. Finding support and community as I grew as a mother was crucial in my love for working in the lactation field.

In 2012 I took my first position at a local hospital, working as a postpartum nurse and my passion for breastfeeding bloomed. I became a board-certified (IBCLC) in 2016 and have enjoyed working with newborns inpatient and after discharge in our outpatient clinic. I pride myself in supporting breastfeeding families with a tender touch addressing the clinical and emotional struggles common during the postpartum journey. 

When I’m not working with moms and baby’s. I’m spending time with my 3 wonderful children and husband on our small family farm. We enjoy homesteading and raising our family with the beauty of our country home and making as much as we can with what we grow.  As a proud military family we support my husband in his ability to serve our country as well. 

My passion for health and healthcare has been life long. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Health Promotion with a focus on women and children from Indiana University. I then knew I wanted to expand my abilities to help moms and babies and I received my second Bachelor's degree in Nursing. I became a Certified Lactation Specialist in 2015 and am pursuing my IBCLC certification this year. I loved my time working in the hospital as a postpartum nurse, helping moms begin their breastfeeding journey and protecting their milk supply.

I have been married to my husband Josh for 11 years. We have two children (6 and 8) with whom I was fortunate to have wonderful nursing journeys. We have spent much of our time as a family traveling from city to city for my husband's work, but now we are enjoying this new season of consistency here in Michigan. In my free time, I enjoy doing house projects, gardening, hiking/biking/running outside, and learning. I recently finished a Functional Nutrition and a Certified Personal Trainer certification. My personal and career desire is to empower families with the knowledge, resources and support they need to have their best lactation experience possible.