Hi, I’m Tessa (she/her).

My interest in breastfeeding began with the birth of my first baby in 2010. Nothing went as planned and began my deep dive into the world of Lactation Consultants. I received my Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) from Bastyr University in 2016 and took lactation specific education through Portland State University. The majority of my hundreds of clinical internship appointments were obtained at the Docere Center for Natural Medicine and its frenotomy clinic from 2016-2018. In 2018 I was certified as an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). I consider “Continued Education” a hobby, and never tire of learning about lactation and how to support modern parents.

I am originally from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania but my nerdy husband and I moved to Seattle Washington in 2008. I live in Ballard with said nerdy husband, my son and daughter, and one hairless dog (you can follow her on Instagram @redhotpuppers). We now consider the PNW to be “home”.

I love good television and good audiobooks. I like to collect unusual and unique perfume. I tolerate indoor rowing machines. I am not so outdoorsy, as I have terrible allergies. I have been the lone vegetarian in my family since I was four years old. I will pick cake over pie every time. During the odd COVID-19 times I have experimented with giving up coffee, but now I am consuming tea, sparkling water, and kombucha at an alarming rate. I enjoy being silly. April 2021 Update: I am back on the go-go juice.

I am also a privileged white woman. I am continually working on my biases and I strive to be a safe space. I am an advocate.