Hi, I’m Laura

IBCLC based in Santa Cruz County

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) primarily serving the Santa Cruz County area (I am open to travel if you are out of the area). I combine 17 years of teaching public school science with a down-to-earth, gentle, family-centered approach. My practice is built on the belief that navigating feeding can be a deeply comforting and empowering experience, especially with support.

I am a big believer in teamwork, and I blend evidence-based expertise with warm, judgment-free listening, and steady encouragement you expect from someone who truly cares about your family. Whether you are nesting in the redwoods or living by the coast, my goal is to empower your unique parenting journey with trusted guidance and a familiar comfort that makes you feel safe, confident, and supported.

My Journey to Lactation Support

My path to becoming an IBCLC is rooted in my own personal experiences. I became a mother of two lovely rambunctious children in my early 40s, navigating being pregnant at the start of the pandemic and managing gestational diabetes with both. Turns out, breastfeeding isn’t always just about bringing baby to your breast and voile! Both of my babies had vastly different feeding experiences. The lactation consultants at the hospital were truly a gamechanger for me, providing nurturing guidance and reassurance. This firsthand journey showed me just how unpredictable early parenting can be, and it gave me a profound empathy for the challenges new families face. I know what it feels like to need a steady, reassuring hand, and that is exactly what I bring to your home.

Science, Art, and Community

At my core, I am a curious person who loves learning, teaching, and connecting with community. Before turning my focus to lactation, I taught outdoor education on Catalina Island, worked in the Marine Sciences department at UC Santa Cruz, and recently wrapped up a 15-year career teaching public high school science. Alongside my love for science, I am a printmaker and run a small business creating wall candy, stationery, and apparel. Whether I am sharing evidence-based lactation science or creating art, my work has always been about making complex ideas accessible, celebrating life, and uplifting local families.