RN, University of Tampa 2005  |  Certified Lactation Counselor 2013

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant 2015  |  Tummy Time! 2017

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I have Bachelor's Degrees in Marine Biology and Nursing. I have worked in many areas as a bedside nurse: Medical/Surgical, ICU, and Labor & Delivery. 

 

My passion for breastfeeding began with the birth of my daughter with whom I had an unplanned c section. She ended up in the nursery for low blood sugar and had to be on IV dextrose. At that time, I had a "let's see how it goes" outlook on breastfeeding, but as soon as I discovered that she had to be given formula (twice, because I couldn't get out of bed), I became determined to only provide her with my milk. I had cracked nipples the first week of breastfeeding, but they soon healed and I continued to breastfeed her until 1 week shy of 21 months.  

 

When I weaned my daughter, I was about 20 weeks pregnant with my son. He was my VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) baby and arrived at 36 weeks. He had low blood sugar as well, so he had to be separated from me and was in the nursery for IV dextrose. After his birth, it was much easier for me to go back and forth to nurse him, and I nursed him until close to his 5th birthday.