Before my first baby was born, I thought that breastfeeding came naturally, and that it was the norm. Humans are mammals, after all. When breastfeeding was a struggle for me, I turned to Kellymom.com and internet forums for support. When my second baby was born, breastfeeding was much easier, and I eventually found myself becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) in order to fulfill the requirement for breastfeeding education to become a postpartum doula.  While I found that work as a doula wasn’t for me, I found that breastfeeding support was and The Boob Geek was born. After a long journey—detailed here—including pausing to give birth to (and breastfeed) twins, I passed the exam to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2015.

In 2018, I left my thriving private practice to pursue a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. I continue to serve families at Hennepin Healthcare’s Breastfeeding Clinic as a staff lactation consultant. My clinical background includes work with preterm infants, multiples, cleft lip/palate, congenital disorders, low milk supply, ankyloglossia (tongue tie), and more.

It is a privilege to support people through the joys and challenges of lactation. My goal is to provide evidence-based information to help you make informed and empowered decisions to reach your goals—whatever they may be.

Education

• 2018 to present: University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Ph.D. student
• 2015: University of California—San Diego Extension, Lactation consultant certificate
• 2004: Metropolitan State University (St. Paul, Minnesota), Bachelor of Arts in Writing

Credentials

• 2015–present: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
• 2014–present: Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC)

• 2010–2016: Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

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