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Lactation Resources

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Breastfeeding 101

IBCLC Lactation Consultant Jessica walks you through her prenatal lactation education content to help you prepare for a confident and informed early postpartum transition to nursing!

Jessica Smith, Doula and Lactation Consultant

Jessica Smith

Lactation Consultant, Nurse

As your lactation specialist my goal is to compassionately support you through your parenthood experience.  I apply a holistic approach to my practice, combining ancient wisdom with evidenced based science to give you a full range of information. My goal is to create a safe space for you to feel connected, honored, and supported in the decisions that give you peace and joy. This is a very challenging, vulnerable, and intimate time in life and having someone to guide you through your journey can be immeasurable. I feel humbled and honored to work beside parents in this transformational time.

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Jessica Smith, Doula and Lactation Consultant

Jessica Smith

Nurse, Lactation Consultant

Hi there, I’m Jessica Smith. I offer lactation consultation at The Nest for the greater Palouse community, whether you are a Nest midwifery patient or not.  I’m a nurse, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula (find me at palousedoulacollective.org), and Certified Breastfeeding Educator. I’m also a rural, homeschool momma of four littles living on our regenerative farm with ALL the animals in Palouse, WA.

My interest in wellness, birth, babies and maternal health started from a young age. During high school and college I taught swim lessons and worked at a long term care facility as well as a special needs home. Upon graduation I worked as a school nurse, pediatric home-care nurse, and a minor-care/ready-care nurse. But, soon my passion for the healthcare, or rather dis-ease care system began to wane. I was constantly trying to get my patients outdoors to experience the world and nature around them. I wanted to help them live healthy, balanced lifestyles. My passion for getting back to nature and our roots continues throughout my own life and blends into my work. This is why I take a “holistic” approach.

When my own journey with motherhood began, I was awakened to the fact that in our culture there is a disconnect between birth and postpartum. Like many, I prepared for the birth but never really gave much thought to postpartum. While planning for birth is important, planning for the postpartum period is even more important. I found myself struggling with lack of resources and unable to ask for help. I struggled with breastfeeding, low supply, and ended up supplementing. Through help of doctors and lactation consultants we ended up saving my breastfeeding experience for two years and then was able to successfully tandem nurse when baby #2 arrived! I experienced birth trauma and postpartum anxiety & depression. I struggled to find balance and healing again after each baby. I came across Julia Jones Newborn Mother’s Collective, Ayurveda Postpartum care and found the missing link in my postpartum experience. Through the wisdom of ancient traditions and scientific role of Oxytocin, I learned what we have missed in our culture. While there’s much from ancient traditions and culture, we can’t apply to our modern lifestyle there are two culturally universal things we can do, help and support the new mother and offer nutrient dense, warm prepared meals.

Through my pediatric nursing experience, I cared for many previous NICU babies with unique challenges, in which I saw a vast difference in the ones who were fed breastmilk. This led me to dive deeper into the lactation world and fueled my love for working with families through difficult times. I furthered my education and became certified as a breastfeeding educator and birth doula.  Birth work has caused me to look deeper at my own healing so I can show up for clients with positive energy. As your lactation consultant my goal is to support you through your experience. I love working and troubleshooting through challenges with clients to apply what feels right for you and your needs. I want to guide you where necessary with an open mind well as empower you and promote healthy lifestyle.

The best to you, Jessica

Special Trainings:

  • Midwife Assistant Training | 2009
  • Lewis-Clark State College, Nursing Graduate | 2011
  • Postpartum Doula Training, Newborn Mother’s Collective | 2015
  • Certified Birth Doula | 2015
  • Certified Lactation Educator, Evergreen Perinatal Education | 2016
  • Intuitive Birth for Birth-Workers | 2019
  • Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Workshop, Perinatal Support Washington | 2020
  • University of San Diego Extension, Lactation Consultant Didactic and Internship | 2021
  • Steamy Chick, Peri-Steam Facilitator | 2021
  • Tongue Tie, A Comprehensive Approach to Assessment and Care, Melissa Cole, MS, IBCLC | 2022
  • International Board Certified Lactation Consultant | 2022
Work with Jessica