Hey there! Thanks for finding me here. My name is Julie. I have been married to my husband of 16 years. Together we have three amazing children, ages 13, 11 and 9. We have a fur baby that we all adore, a vizsla who is truly our velcro girl. In my free time I love to spectate at my kids’ sports games, run (I have run 9 marathons including the Boston marathon. I'm also a sub 3 hour marathoner!), hike, bike, read, explore the outdoors, spend time at the beach, and spend time with my family and beloved dog.
I have been a registered nurse for 17 years, but my path to becoming a lactation consultant was shaped by a wide range of experiences and challenges—both personal and professional.
During nursing school, I worked as a nurse’s aide in a long-term skilled nursing facility, caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. After graduation, my career began on a demanding adult medical-surgical unit. The high patient loads, staff shortages, and complexity of cases led to early burnout, but they also pushed me to seek out a new direction in nursing—one that would bring balance and renewed passion to my work.
This shift brought me to pediatric care. For the next 10 years, I worked on a busy pediatric medical-surgical unit at a children’s hospital. It was during these years that I became a mother to three children and faced significant breastfeeding challenges with each of them, including pain, nipple damage, tongue and lip ties, low milk supply, clogged ducts, and oversupply. Despite being a nurse, I found myself unprepared for the realities of breastfeeding. Nursing school, like most medical training programs, does not cover lactation, infant anatomy, or feeding challenges. This gap in education inspired me to learn more and ultimately led me to pursue certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Becoming certified was no small feat. As a mother of three young children, I juggled part-time work, volunteering at two hospitals, and completing 500 supervised clinical hours over 2.5 years. In 2017, I earned my IBCLC certification and have since dedicated my career to supporting families on their feeding journeys.
Professional Experience and Ongoing Education
My career in lactation spans multiple settings, including the NICU, labor and delivery, postpartum units, outpatient support groups, telehealth, and my own private practice. My private practice, which I launched in November 2021, has allowed me to combine my nursing skills with my passion for helping families in the comfort of their own homes.
Throughout my career, I have prioritized continued education to stay current and enhance my clinical skills. I’ve completed specialized training in areas such as:
• Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad
• Pumping and Feeding Gear
• Bottle Refusal Solutions
• Resolving Unresolved Breastfeeding Challenges in Older Babies
• Reflex Assessment for Infant Feeding
• Tongue Tie Symposia and Webinars
These courses, along with hands-on experience, have deepened my understanding of oral ties, feeding mechanics, and their impact on long-term health.
Personal Experience with Oral Ties
My personal journey with oral ties has been equally transformative. In April 2023, I underwent my own tongue tie release after experiencing a lifetime of symptoms, including migraines, neck tension, orthodontic complications, and swallowing issues. This firsthand experience, along with my family’s history of oral ties, has underscored the importance of early diagnosis and proper management.
All three of my children were born with tongue ties, which were released shortly after birth. However, at the time, I lacked the knowledge to ensure best practices for release and aftercare. My youngest faced significant feeding challenges, including poor weight gain and milk transfer issues, which were only resolved after working with an IBCLC and pursuing a laser release at six months of age.
Even my husband’s story highlights the generational impact of untreated oral ties. As a baby, he struggled to feed and was labeled as “failure to thrive,” yet his pediatrician dismissed the idea that his restricted tongue could be the cause. Today, he faces airway and sinus issues, a high-arched palate, and other complications tied to his untreated tongue tie.
Advocacy and Collaboration
These personal and professional experiences have fueled my commitment to advocating for better education and awareness around tongue and lip ties. Sadly, the majority of healthcare providers receive little to no training in this area. Many families I work with share stories of their concerns being dismissed, often with harmful advice that delays appropriate care.
A functional oral assessment requires specialized training—something most healthcare professionals lack unless they pursue additional education. When families ask why their baby’s tongue tie was missed, I often reply, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” My hope is to change this narrative by encouraging collaboration across disciplines and fostering a team-based approach to care.
I believe strongly in referring families to skilled providers when needed and collaborating with other members of the healthcare team. No one professional has all the answers, but together we can provide the comprehensive support families deserve.
A Note to Families
If you’re navigating feeding challenges, trust your instincts and seek support. Knowledge and advocacy can make all the difference. For healthcare providers reading this, I urge you to pursue education in lactation and oral ties. A great starting point is Tongue Tied by Dr. Richard Baxter, but don’t stop there—there’s a wealth of research and resources available to those willing to learn.
As I continue to grow in my career, my mission remains the same: to empower families and provide compassionate, evidence-based care. If you’re struggling or need guidance, know that you are not alone. I’m here to help.
Warmly,
Julie
If interested in further reading on tongue tie/oral ties:
https://www.kiddsteeth.com/assets/uploads/pdfs/DrKotlow MCR 2018.pdf
https://www.kiddsteeth.com/assets/uploads/pdfs/AAOMS-2-1.pdf
Some research on tongue ties:
Kotlow L. Oral diagnosis of abnormal frenum attachments in Neonates and infants. Journal of Pediatric Dental Care. 2004;10(3):26-28.
Kotlow L. Infant Reflux and Aerophagia Associated with the Maxillary Lip tie And Ankyloglossia. Clinical Lactation. 2011;(2-4):25-29.
Research articles/case studies on benefits of bodywork in infants:
Comments