Tongass
   Lactation
     Consulting, LLC

I am a Registered Nurse, Certified in Inpatient Obstetrics,  Certified Lactation Counselor and an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and have been working as a nurse for 20 years.

One of my earliest memories is watching a mare birth her foal. I remember how my grandmother stressed the importance of dark and quiet and calm.  The horse had fresh hay and water. I was in awe of the entire process. 

When I was 17, I was invited to attend the birth of a friend I babysat for. I was captured by the power and strength and miracle of new life.

My own birth stories influenced my passion for promoting evidence based practice and providing breastfeeding support.

The time I've spent working in maternal child health has reinforced the  importance of recognizing that we too are mammals, and we have the same basic needs in birth and parenting. We need safety, support, nourishment, calm, and the wisdom of our ancestors. I began to see that how women experience birth shapes the journey that follows. 

After the birth of my preterm twins I had a renewed appreciation for breastfeeding support. I've spent the last 15 years working as an RN in hospital birth settings and helping families meet their breastfeeding goals. I have a desire to not only provide education and support for communities, but also to educate providers in how to support breastfeeding families in today's society. I serve on the United States Lactation Assc. (USLCA) Advisory Board and am the current president of The Alaska Breastfeeding Coalition.  When I am not doing all things birth and breastfeeding, I enjoy composing and performing live music, sewing, and spending time in nature with my husband and 4 daughters. It is for them that I choose the work of improving the current state of maternal-child healthcare. 

Thank You for being here. 

​

Take Care of Yourself, and Each Other,

Jasmine