The difficulties that I experienced in breastfeeding my three children inspired me to learn how to help mothers meet their own breastfeeding goals. I know that families always want what is best for their children, and I promise to do what I can to help them.
Since 1999, I have worked as a pediatrician in the Pediatric Primary Care Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s, where I I care for children from birth to 18 years of age. As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant I also specialize in providing breastfeeding support. I serve as the medical director for the Cincinnati Children’s Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic.
When I help a mother think about breastfeeding, I always ask her about her feelings. My care philosophy is one of shared decision-making. It is important for me to be nonjudgmental and help each mother determine what is best for her and her baby. I try to empower every mother by teaching her the skills that she needs to meet her breastfeeding goals using an evidenced-based approach.
I want breastfeeding mothers to know that they can bring their baby to the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic for help at any time. Mothers do not need a referral. They can just call for an appointment. We see mothers and babies together during the clinic visit.
My research focuses on obstacles to successful breastfeeding. I work with colleagues throughout the country to determine the best care for breastfeeding mothers and babies.
Here’s a fact about me: My husband and I have triplets.
BS: Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, 1991.
MD: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 1995.
Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 1995-1998.
Chief Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 1998-1999.
Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2000-2003.
MS: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2003.
Certification: American Board of Pediatrics and International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.
General and Community Pediatrics, Primary Care, Perinatal
Breastfeeding; breast milk pumping; human milk banking; multiple births
General and Community Pediatrics
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Human milk-sharing practices and infant-feeding behaviours: A comparison of donors and recipients. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2022; 18:e13389.
The Longitudinal Relation between Infant Feeding Styles and Growth Trajectories among Families from Low-Income Households. The Journal of nutrition. 2022; 152:2015-2022.
Information Available Online That Answers Common Questions About Breast Pumping: A Scoping Review. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2020; 15:689-697.
Comparing Alternative Breast Milk Feeding Questions to U.S. Breastfeeding Surveillance Questions. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2019; 14:347-353.
Parental intuitive eating behaviors and their association with infant feeding styles among low-income families. Eating Behaviors. 2019; 32:78-84.
Awareness and prevalence of human milk sharing and selling in the United States. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2018; 14 Suppl 6:e12567.
Case 4: Diffuse Rash in a 2-month-old Girl. Pediatrics in review / American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018; 39:214-215.
The Meaning of "Breastfeeding " Is Changing and So Must Our Language About It. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2017; 12:510-514.
Pumping Milk Without Ever Feeding at the Breast in the Moms2Moms Study. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2017; 12:422-429.
"Breastfeeding " but not at the breast: Mothers' descriptions of providing pumped human milk to their infants via other containers and caregivers. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2017; 13.
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