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: ABOUT ZENA :

I have four children and two grandchildren. I've been working with breastfeeding women in Southern Nevada since 1996.

I became a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) in 2002.

I've been a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2006.

My journey in helping women breastfeed easy and successfully started when my 4th baby was hospitalized at birth. Thanks to La Leche League and books by Dr. Marilyn Grams, MD, I learned how to bring in a large milk supply by pumping only. When the RNs saw how much milk I was bringing into the NICU for my baby, they started to send women who weren't pumping enough milk to me for advice.

Once my baby got out of the NICU, home, and breastfeeding well, I looked for breastfeeding counseling education and opportunities and found it in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. I took the week long Breastfeeding Peer Counselor training and started working for the program in December 1996. I was supervised and received continuous education and training by an IBCLC.

I have literally worked with thousands of women and their babies during my time with the WIC program. I was the only breastfeeding counselor for the program in the Clark County area during the years 2000 to 2006. I was promoted to WIC Lactation Specialist in 2002.

In 2006 my duties started to include lactation training of WIC staff and training and supervision of breastfeeding peer counselors. I have also trained nurses in Maternity and labor & delivery at UMC and Centennial Hills Hospitals for the University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension program.

While I am happy that I breastfed all four of my children and enjoyed that time with them, it did not really prepare me professionally in lactation. . .

Many people mistakingly believe that if a woman has breastfed a child then she can help others breastfeed. This is not necessarily true. Everyones personal experience is different and what worked for me, breastfeeding my children, may or may not work for others. This is often the reason that women get some much conflicting advice and information on breastfeeding. Other people, including nurses at the hospital, are often just telling new mothers their own personal advice which may or even may not have worked for them.

If you have not grown up watching mothers breastfeeding their babies, it may be difficult or challenging emotionally if things don't come "naturally" to you. The great thing about seeking support to nurse your baby, is that you will never feel alone, left to figure things out on your own.

Call me for help, I am here for you and your baby. Together, you can learn to become a successful breastfeeding mother.