Breastfeeding
- Latch & positioning
- Cluster-feeding
- Comfort & pain relief
- Engorgement or low supply
- Clogs
- Hand expression
- Weighted feeds
- Nursing strikes
Certified Lactation Counselor · Bethesda, MD
Holistic, individualized lactation support, in-person throughout greater DC, or virtual from anywhere.
"She's low pressure, friendly, and very knowledgeable... Joanna is willing to help me reach my unique goals, be they EBF or combo feeding. She really puts mom's mental health first."
My approach
Baby feeding looks different for every family.
I believe that there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to feeding. Some families may want to breastfeed exclusively. Some want to pump. Some are happiest combining breast, bottle, and formula, and some land somewhere that keeps shifting week to week. All of it is okay.
My job is to figure out what's actually going to work for you and your baby, then help you get there. There will be no pressure and no judgment. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, whether past feeding experiences felt easy or hard, I want you to feel steady and supported.
You know your body, your baby, and your family better than anyone. I'm here to help you trust that.
About me
Hi, I'm Joanna.
I'm a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a DC native, living in Bethesda, MD where I serve families throughout the greater Washington DC area. My journey into lactation counseling is rooted in my passion for maternal and child health. I hold a Masters in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health.
I currently work at a public health institute, and I bring this broader perspective to my practice, helping me see the full picture of each family's unique situation.
But the real reason I do this work is personal. I'm a mom of two, and breastfeeding brought a lot of challenges I didn't see coming, like latch issues, supply worries, and plenty of moments where I had no idea what I was doing. My postpartum doula was a lifeline. I genuinely don't know how I would have gotten through those early weeks without her.
Getting my lactation certification was my way of paying that forward. I know how much the right support can change things, and I want to be that person for other families.
- Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
- Masters in Public Health, Maternal & Child Health
- In-person visits in Bethesda & greater DC
- Virtual sessions available anywhere
What I help with
Support for every feeding journey.
Pumping
- Schedules
- Flange sizing
- Milk storage
- Back-to-work transition
Everything else
- Formula & combo feeding
- Paced bottle feeding
- Bottle refusal
- Weaning
- Back-to-work transition
- Tips for your support person
Kind words
From families I've worked with.
As a first-time mom, I felt completely overwhelmed with all the conflicting information out there, but having Joanna by my side made all the difference. She was always available, flexible with my schedule, and truly took the time to listen without ever making me feel judged.
Her guidance was not only supportive but actually worked. She respected my goals for my baby and helped me feel confident in my choices. She explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and stood by me through challenges like difficult latching and increasing my milk supply.
I honestly don't know what I would have done without her support. I would recommend her to any mom looking for compassionate, knowledgeable, and judgment-free lactation support.
Joanna is lovely to work with. She's low pressure, friendly, and very knowledgeable. She goes above and beyond, showing up early for appointments when needed and always being responsive over text. Thanks in part to her help, my baby is jumping up the growth charts and thriving!
I really appreciate that Joanna is willing to help me reach my unique goals, be they EBF or combo feeding. She really puts mom's mental health first.
I found Joanna after struggling with several bouts of mastitis. Despite having a successful start to breastfeeding, the physical toll of an oversupply had left me miserable. From our first meeting, Joanna was incredibly intuitive; she could tell I had reached my limit.
What sets Joanna apart is that she isn't just a lactation consultant - she is a true partner in your feeding journey. She helped me fix my son's latch and gave me a practical "toolbox" of tricks to manage the physical challenges.
More importantly, she gave me the grace and permission to stop breastfeeding and transition to formula when I needed to. She held my hand through the weaning process, and I can truly say that since finding her, I have finally had a wonderful, stress-free feeding experience with my son. I cannot recommend her enough.
Working together
Choose the support that fits.
Start here
Discovery session
Complimentary· 15 min
Let's connect. We'll talk through your questions and learn how I can support you — no pressure, no commitment.
Book your callOngoing partnership
Monthly Partnership
$80/ month
Consistent support that grows with you and your baby. Choose your session frequency:
Both include
- Unlimited text & email support between sessions
- Personalized feeding plans and schedules
- Access to my resource library
- Priority scheduling
A note on insurance · I'm not able to directly bill to insurance, but I'm happy to provide an itemized receipt or superbill you can submit to your insurance or apply toward your HSA/FSA.
Let's connect
Tell me about your feeding journey.
Fill out the form and I'll be in touch to schedule a free 15-minute discovery call. I read every message personally and usually reply within one business day.