After earning my bachelor's degree in dietetics with a 3.85 GPA, I earned 1 of only 5 pediatric focused dietetic internships in the country. I knew I wanted my career to focus on improving the health of children, so the internship was a dream come true. The year long program took me to St. Louis, where I learned the ins and outs of working at children's hospitals, in school systems, with 1 specialty week at a WIC office. It was my favorite week of the entire process, I was hooked. Working for WIC meant I would spend my days meeting babies and children, helping families, and feeling like I could truly make a difference in the lives of local parents and kids alike. 

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Luckily, a local WIC office was hiring when I returned to Bloomington to start my professional career. That job, which I still hold, has defined my life. My coworkers were breastfeeding advocates, and I began to see the impact I could have on mothers. I became more interested in breastfeeding and attended a 5-day course when I was 28 weeks pregnant. After only the first day, I told my husband I wanted to become an IBCLC. 5 years, 1000's of hours of supervised practice, and a terrifying exam later, I've achieved my dream of being a lactation consultant.

 

I've been working with breastfeeding parents since 2012, not to mention nursing my own two children to 19 months and 36 months. I've personally experienced tongue tie, painful latch, clogged ducts, and unilateral nursing. I've pumped, I've dumped, I've cried over spilled milk. I've helped others through open sores, supply imbalance, mastitis, relactating after regretting the choice to wean, and most other storms a breastfeeding relationship can throw at you. I've loved every second I've spent educating others on breastfeeding, and I'm ready to help you, too.