Guides
I am a veteran of the United States Air Force, spouse of a military retiree, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS), and La Leche League Leader (LLLL). I completed Associate of Arts in General Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degrees from American Military University. I am certified in BLS for the Provider and trained in AED use. My husband and I have seven children. It is because of them, that I am where I am today. I am not only educated on the birth process and utilizing comfort measures for pain relief, but also have personal experience. I had two births using epidural pain relief. Five of my births were medication-free. My breastfeeding journey with each of my children was different. Every journey was different because every baby was, and each had their own challenges. (The parent may know what they are doing, but the baby needs to learn.) My experiences with each of my children taught me many things about giving birth and human lactation throughout the years. Helping birthing and lactating parents meet their own goals is my goal. As a CBS, IBCLC, and doula, all of my education and experience will help me to provide families compassionate care throughout the birth process, postpartum period, and lactation journey.
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initial consult for a variety of issues including but not limited to latching difficulties, slow or low weight gain, building/increasing supply, pumping for returning to work or school, exclusive pumping, possible oral ties, bottle refusal, bringing baby back to the breast, learning to feed via cup/spoon/syringe/supplemental nursing system (SNS), breastfeeding while baby is teething, engorgement, possible mastitis, breastfeeding/pumping through illness or surgeries or procedures (parent and/or child), breastfeeding or pumping through pregnancy or infant/child loss, weaning
follow-up for any concerns after initial consultation
information given on anything and everything related to breastfeeding and human lactation (can be beneficial before baby/babies arrive) most information is on full-term infants without complications ***information for breastfeeding multiples, NICU, or other special circumstances will be given on a case-by-case basis***
flange fitting and basic information along with information on pumping specific to parent’s goals-building supply, returning to work/school, baby/babies in the NICU, short term pumping, exclusive pumping, traveling (short and long trips-vacation or moving), bereavement pumping, hand expression, antenatal milk expression, proper cleaning of bottles and all equipment, when to replace parts, how to optimize milk production
basic infant care and education, sibling assistance and integration, lactation education with support (referrals provided if needed), pumping support with sterilizing/washing pump parts, family adjustment, educate about physical and emotional changes, comfort measures for physical recovery, perinatal mental health symptoms and referrals, household organization, meal prep and clean up (needed services can be provided after pregnancy or infant loss as well)
Prenatal Support - the care and support provided during pregnancy and before labor begins Birth planning assistance (preferences, pain management options, birth plan) Emotional support and reassurance Education on stages of labor, delivery options, and interventions Helps the family navigate hospital/birth center policies or provider communication Partner preparation and involvement strategies On-call availability leading up to birth Labor & Delivery Support – the continuous hands-on care during active labor and childbirth Continuous emotional and physical support during labor Guides the partner on how to offer hands-on help Helps the partner feel confident, not sidelined Comfort measures (massage, breathing techniques, positioning, hot/cold packs) Advocacy support to help communicate birth preferences Encouragement and coaching for both the birthing person and their partner Immediate Postpartum Support - support during the first hours after birth, typically during the initial recovery period in the birth setting Assistance with initial breastfeeding/latching Encourages partner-infant bonding Offers tips to support the birthing person’s emotional recovery and new-parent adjustment Provides resources for newborn care, breastfeeding, or postpartum recovery
I aim to provide compassionate and evidence-based care relevant to the specific needs of each individual. As an IBCLC, I strive to help parents meet their breastfeeding/chest feeding/breast milk feeding/pumping goals. As a doula, I strive to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to parents during and after childbirth or after adoption to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Mary came over when my son was first born because he wouldn’t latch. We got him to latch when she came to the visit and he has been doing well ever since. She also has come over to do a weighted feed for my son so we could figure out how much he’s eating, he is exclusively breast fed. Then, she came over to help with bottle refusal. Mary is extremely reliable and makes time out of her schedule to help her clients. I definitely recommend her.
— Erin V.
Ready to talk with Mary?
Free to send. Mary usually responds within an hour.
Mary is based in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
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