Where it all started....

Kelly Maher, CLC, CLE, Founder of Successful Breastfeeding LLC

This is me. I founded Successful Breastfeeding because I saw a need for better, more thorough, and individualized support for breastfeeding moms- especially working breastfeeding moms!

I was frustrated working in a lactation clinic where I was limited to what I could offer the moms I was supporting. There was never enough time, and the cold, clinical environment was not the best place to be supporting mommas and brand new babies.

There had to be a better way- and guess what? There is!

Through my business, Successful Breastfeeding, I created a full service spectrum of breastfeeding support - from bump through weaning- that is all received in the comfort of home, and completely on mom and baby's time. 

I have had the pleasure of supporting thousands of moms over the last 5 years, and I am so grateful to get to be part of your journey too! Thank you for allowing me to support you.

As far as credentials go I am a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), HUG trained, registered IBCLE pathway 3 candidate, breastfeeding counselor, a mother of 4 beautiful kids, and advocate for families.

My journey began when I struggled to breastfeed for months with my first. Despite reading books, taking classes, and joining a local mom lead support group, I still wasn't prepared to have a successful breastfeeding experience from the start- and that frustrated me to no end!

My personal experience fueled my passion, and generated my mission. I provide an approach to breastfeeding support that you won't find anywhere else!

Breastfeeding is not one size fits all, and breastfeeding support should not be either!

Meet Allison Alexander, successful breastfeeding expert, and my right hand. 

Hey! I’m Allison, one of the Lactation Experts with Successful Breastfeeding!

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and have over 7 years of experience as a pediatric nurse working one on one with mothers and babies. My most important credential is being “Mama” to two little ones.

My own breastfeeding journey got off to an extremely rocky, isolated, painful start and it took months to feel confident and comfortable nursing my baby. I never want another mother to feel like she’s struggling all alone.

​I am so happy to be part of the Successful Breastfeeding team; to be able to offer support in a more relaxed setting! I can help you meet your breastfeeding goals no matter where you are - from home visits for extended, in-person support, to virtual sessions for convenient, accessible help no matter where you live. Breastfeeding is a relationship between you and your baby, and it’s my job to support it, whatever your goals and needs happen to be.

​

Allison Alexander LPN, IBCLC

Now, please give a round of applause to Kaitlyn! ​

Kaitlyn Sagritalo CLC, SB Practice Manager and Lactation Intern

Without Kaitlyn, SB would be a mess. She is the keeper or my brain, the master of the behind the scenes, AND on top of it all she is one of our baby unicorns (AKA one of our LCs in training). You will see Kaitlyn a lot in our community, and hear her voice. I am so thrilled to have her, and even more thrilled to be training her to support this community.

Our Virtual Assistant melyssa

Melyssa Shandler is our virtual assistant, and the reason that SB is thriving! She handles all of our social media scheduling, graphic creation, and keeps us on point! WIthout Melyssa we would be a hott mess. She is also the mama of two beautiful breastfed babies, and you'll hear her voice in the Successful Breastfeeding Community on FB!

The Successful Breastfeeding Interns

Successful Breastfeeding is a teaching practice, and we have interns training to be amazing LCs! You may see one or two of them in your session, and see them in your follow up support too!

Hi! I'm Leslie. I'm a board certified ambulatory care pharmacist and certified lactation counselor. I specialize in medication use during pregnancy and/or lactation. Most importantly, I am "mom" to one of the most incredible people out there, my daughter, Carmen. I have breastfed through cracked nipples, tongue tie revision, shingles, a needlestick injury, clogged ducts, and my daughter's cancer diagnosis. I love to help lactating individuals through hard moments so they can experience all the joy and beauty that breastfeeding can bring. Photo credit: Ashey Crawford Photography

Hi, I’m Sarah! I live in Northern Michigan with my husband and 11 month old daughter, working as a school social worker. I became passionate about lactation consultation, when I experienced my own struggles with breastfeeding, and found there were no lactation professionals within 2 hours of my home. I felt alone, exhausted, and frustrated. This is when I realized the value and necessity of virtual services! As I embark on this internship, I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge, gaining valuable experience, and most importantly bringing service and support to an area that is critically lacking!

HI I'm Aimee! I live near Lansing MI and am a mom of three boys! My personal struggles with my breast feeding journey and finding Kelly and Allison let me into becoming a CLC, because there truly is not enough evidence based help out there and we need 500 of them to help all the moms and babies I am so excited to absorb all if the knowledge and skills durring this journey.