I have a practice in Chicago providing lactation consultations that are grounded in evidence-based practices.

Iʻm a certified lactation consultant and an anthropologist. Anthropologists believe that our ancestors, like modern-day foragers, gave birth and cared for babies in emotionally and physically supportive environments using techniques that support infant reflexes and developmental needs. Getting back to that has been shown to reduce cesarean rates, lactation issues, and infant sleep practices that are developmentally inappropriate.

Here is my background:

Midwifery Training

I got my start by training to be a midwife. Although I never became certified or practiced as a midwife, the experience led me to pursue labor doula and childbirth education training and employment providing childbirth and infant care education, as well as conducting developmental assessments on infants.

Ph.D., Medical Anthropology

I earned a doctorate in medical anthropology from The University of Hawai‘i, specializing in maternal-child health. My Ph.D. research helped me understand how breastfeeding is learned and what lactation consultant methods are effective.

IBCLC

I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and started my own lactation business. I also did lactation consultations for a Hawaii-based doula agency, was an expert advisor for a tech startup that makes sleep products, and I managed a team of lactation consultants for a Chicago-based doula agency.

Adjunct Professor

I worked as an adjunct professor in the University of Hawai‘i system for several years, teaching women’s studies and anthropology courses.

Infant Development

Early on in my career, I worked for a couple of different non-profit programs where I was trained to do developmental assessments on infants. I worked with at-risk families to provide them with childbirth and postpartum resources and parenting help.

Education for Doulas and Parents

I have created educational content for pregnant and new parents, as well as doula training courses and materials for a Chicago doula agency.