I can't remember a time when I was not passionate about family issues, and particularly family health. I had my first child at a young age, and found the perinatal landscape entirely bewildering. Mostly alone, I had no idea what was happening to me and my baby, or how to provide for him once he was born (and later, when he was quite sick). The experience strengthened my desire to support others who find themselves similarly lost at the hands of an impersonal medical institution. ​ ​​ I am committed to helping families access evidence-based information for informed decision-making, and to helping improve the birth experience for all families. I serve families of all types, and I specialize in trauma-informed care, bereavement support, disability advocacy, and neurodivergence, Additionally, I am conversant in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language (ASL). The journey into familyhood should be a time of joy, love, and familial and community support. I founded Family Ways with the intention to help bring such an experience to any individual and family who wants and needs it, and to strengthen the family bond—no matter what shape the family takes. I am honored to have been able to share in the lives of so many beautiful families, if for just this one crucial moment.

Inspired by the sweetness of nature, Milk & Honey Maryland is here to support all things lactation, breastfeeding and infant feeding. Caroline Hall is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant thrilled to serve the Maryland and surrounding community. She is passionate about supporting families and helping people meet their lactation goals- whatever that may look like! Milkandhoneymaryland.com

Hi! I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) with experience in assisting breastfeeding in all stages, from pregnancy to introducing solids to weaning. I graduated in 2021 from the University of Maryland with my Masters in Public Health and have been working ever since to advance community health through education and advocacy. During my first pregnancy, I found the idea of breastfeeding to be overwhelming and despite my background in public health, I felt entirely unprepared for what to expect. Because of key support figures like my lactation consultant and my mom, I was able to work through the challenges and breastfeed my daughter for over two years. Breastfeeding is often framed as something stressful, stifling, and painful. While it can be all of those things at times, with the right support I have found it to be joyful and rewarding. I believe it is time to step aside from the useless debate of breast is best vs. fed is best (which ignores the unique context of every individual), and instead focus on supporting parents and infants through individualized approaches to the goals and environments of each family. My goal is to help you find joy in your own feeding journey and succeed in a breastfeeding relationship that is mutually beneficial, enjoyable, and meaningful for both you and your little one. I can’t wait to work with you!

Leah Hairston (she/her) is a full-spectrum doula, perinatal social worker, lactation counselor and advocate. She educates and empowers women with female reproductive systems, reminding them of their inherent power. Her dedication to facilitating spaces for healing, equal access, and justice stems from her deep commitment to addressing the systemic reproductive injustices against Black women. She is the founder of Sweet Bee Services, a Baltimore-based doula agency that provides justice-focused, trauma-informed, family-centered care throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. When not working, Leah enjoys trying new recipes while listening to audiobooks, walking her pup T’Challa, and savoring moments with loved ones. She is passionate about all things related to babies, reproductive wholeness, and social justice. Learn more and support her work by visiting www.sweetbeedoula.com.

I am here to use the knowledge and experience that I have to support and empower new parents through this journey, whatever that may look like. My goal is to give parents confidence when feeding their baby but also caring for their mental health. Let’s work together to personalize a plan that best matches your goals and needs.

I am Gabriell (Gabby) Garner and I own a small perinatal and newborn care practice. We provide labor and delivery (birth doula) support, postpartum doula support, lactation support, overnight newborn care, sleep consulting services and parent education.

Hello! My name is Karen Kelly and I am proud to be DONA certified postpartum doula and certified lactation consultant located in Ellicott City, Maryland. I am passionate about supporting families during the fourth trimester. I have been providing professional postpartum support since 2018 and have had the privilege of supporting over 75 families. I specialize in daytime support in order to have the greatest impact on helping new parents gain skills and confidence in their new role. I provide the emotional and practical support that new parents need in order to lighten their load and meet their parenting goals.

Nikki Williams is a Certified Professional Midwife licensed to practice in the states of Maryland and Virginia, specializing in the management of normal, low-risk pregnancy and birth in both the home and birth center setting. Nikki Williams strongly supports parents in their right to true informed consent and refusal for all decisions. It is Nikki’s expectation that her clients research all of their pregnancy and birth choices and take responsibility for educating themselves, and for communicating with Nikki whenever there are questions or concerns. Nikki will take the time to make sure that clients are clear and comfortable with all the decisions they are being asked to make during their experience in her care. Nikki respects your ultimate authority over your pregnancy, labor and birth, and baby, and strives to create family-centered birth experiences. During birth, partners or support people will be encouraged and supported to participate as much or as little as they desire. The role of Nikki as a midwife is to monitor fetal growth and development, support the mother to grow a healthy baby and to stay physically and mentally healthy themselves, provide as much or as little information as the family needs, and get to know the entire family in order to foster a positive and optimistic attitude toward birth. At birth, the midwife’s role is to assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta, monitor mother and baby vitals, support a normal neonatal transition to extrauterine life, repair any lacerations, facilitate bonding and breastfeeding, transfer to higher levels of care if needed, and clean up. Nikki’s postpartum support focuses on ensuring a healthy newborn who is feeding effectively, rest and healing of the newly postpartum mother, and integration of the baby into the whole family. Nikki Williams provides care that supports pregnancy and birth as a natural process, which minimizes but does not exclude medical intervention. Nikki carries emergency medications and equipment to manage postpartum hemorrhage, GBS prophylaxis, shock, dehydration, minor perineal repair and neonatal resuscitation at home. Nikki is unable to provide medical induction or pharmacological pain relief at home, but is knowledgeable in the use of herbs and homeopathics to encourage healthy labor and relieve pain. Nikki strongly encourages the use of water in labor and birth (hydrotherapy) and will provide all of the client education and supplies needed to allow water labor and waterbirth. Overall, Nikki Williams became a homebirth midwife after the birth of her only child, after experiencing the profound positive change in her outlook on life and new respect for herself after receiving midwifery care that allowed her to realize her power and capability for the first time. Nikki is now working her dream job that has always been waiting within her, after dedicating her early adulthood to other careers and other college degrees. She is dedicated to helping others achieve their own individual hopes and dreams for their births and themselves, so they can also realize their full power as humans and parents.

I’m passionate about empowering families to achieve their individual feeding goals and ensuring they feel confident throughout their breastfeeding journey. As a Registered Nurse since 2009 and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2016, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of families to support them during their breastfeeding journey. With experience in labor and delivery, postpartum care, lactation support, and education, I’ve helped guide families through both in-person and virtual classes, as well as support groups. As a mother of three, each with their own unique breastfeeding journey, I deeply understand the challenges and joys of this experience.

Amy is a true family advocate. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in human lactation. Starting her career working with families as a doula in the Philadelphia metro area, she supported hospital births, home births, and birth center births. Her personal breastfeeding journey was very rewarding, and it quickly grew into a passion of supporting others in their own breastfeeding journey. She owned a state registered daycare in Vermont for 6 years before moving to Maryland in 2021. Amy completed her internship hours at Metropolitan Breastfeeding in the Fall of 2022. She has enjoyed serving families in the area and assisting women meet their breastfeeding goals. She has a desire to change the trajectory of breastfeeding rates locally and globally and to be part of the tribe that supports women in the childbearing years. Amy lives in Anne Arundel County with her husband and their two youngest children. Their oldest two have grown up and flown the coop!

Hello! I am an IBCLC and Speech-Language Pathologist located in the Baltimore area. Ive worked in NICUs and well-baby nurseries for the past 20+ years and have loved every second of it. I am now meeting parents and babies in their homes to provide in home lactation and overall feeding help.

Hi my name is Brittney. I’m in RN, IBCLC in Maryland. I am located in Western Maryland. I do telehealth visits, office visits as well as inpatient visits. I work for UPMC western Maryland and the lactation network. I have my own business in frostburg Maryland, Loving Lactation LLC.

Hi! I’m Scarlett — birth & postpartum doula, lactation specialist, infant sleep trainer, and mom-friend you didn’t know you needed. I help all parents survive (and even enjoy) the beautiful chaos that comes after baby arrives. From soothing witching-hour meltdowns to figuring out breastfeeding, bottles, or why your newborn thinks 2am is party time—I’ve got you. But my care isn’t just for the baby—I’m here for you, too. Whether it’s helping you rest, listening when it’s hard, supporting your mental health, or reminding you to eat something that isn’t a granola bar, I show up with heart, humor, connection, and presence. When I’m off duty and not busy baby whispering, you can find me baking something sweet, discovering new food spots, road-tripping with my daughter, or blasting the perfect song with the windows down—pretending I’m a DJ on the best set of my life.

Tiara is the owner of Crowned & Crowned. She founded the company following a traumatic birth experience in an effort to heal and give back to women like her. She is a licensed nurse, trained doula and fertility coach, and board certified lactation consultant. She is a self proclaimed "book worm", and constantly is found reading books or listening to podcasts that challenge her to dig deeper and learn more. This has opened doors for her in the arenas of public speaking, advocacy, and business coaching. Tiara values her life experiences and uses them as reference points to better serve her clients. As a mother of five children, her "on the job" experience has allowed her to meet her clients where they are, and give them a honest and transparent perspective of what to expect. Some of her specialities are supporting families with NICU journeys, multiples, and various other multifaceted cases. As of follower of Christ, Tiara understands that she not only works for the families she serves, but has a higher calling that she humbly accepts.

Taiwo Ikeoluwa Adeloye-Ajao or "Tia Ajao" has served in the maternal-child health arena for over 20 years. She obtained her MPH in maternal and child health, community health & prevention in 2008. Tia decided to become a nurse & a doula in 2014 due to her own experiences as a mother & as an advocate in her community. These roles empowered Tia to become a certified birth & postpartum doula, a certified maternal-newborn nurse, a Lamaze certified childbirth educator, a birth assistant with midwives, and an international board certified lactation consultant. She enjoys helping families to be intentional about preparing for their birth & postpartum experiences.

Hello everyone, my name is Kelsey Thomas and I am a certified birth and Postpartum Doula located in Baltimore, Maryland. For the past 6 years I have had the pleasure of creating memories with all my mom friend. I have a passion for helping, caring, cooking and nurturing others. I have my bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management. I believe having a positive birth experience can create an easy recovery for moms to heal with proper nourishing meals and rest. In my 6 years of practice, I have created an easy flow space for moms to feel relaxed and calm while pumping and nursing. In my free time I like to go for long walks and enjoy spending time with my 3 kids, date night, and family or friend game night. I love coffee dates with my husband and cooking sessions with him also.

Hi! I’m Kelly Kendall, RN, IBCLC, the founder of The Balanced Boob. I’m a registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant who helps families navigate breastfeeding with less stress, more confidence, and a whole lot of support. I specialize in everything from latching challenges and nipple pain to pumping plans, oral ties, and low supply. Every visit includes two weeks of access to my signature online program, Boob School, so you can keep learning and troubleshooting at your own pace between sessions. Whether you’re preparing for birth or deep in postpartum life, my goal is to help you feel calm, capable, and supported every step of the way.

Hey there, I’m Ni’Sheerer! I’m the kind of doula who believes birth isn’t just about bringing a baby into the world—it’s about honoring the whole journey, from the first little flutter to those sweet (and sometimes sleepy) postpartum snuggles. My philosophy is simple: every family deserves support that’s both knowledgeable and heart-centered. I combine evidence-based care with a sprinkle of intuition, a lot of listening, and the belief that your birth story should feel empowering, not overwhelming. I’m here to be your cheerleader, your extra set of hands, and sometimes even your snack-fetching, water-refilling, “you’ve got this” voice when things get real. I see birth as a partnership—your body, your baby, your choices—my role is to support and protect that space. Whether it’s helping you find your breath during labor, keeping you company in those quiet postpartum hours, or making sure you get that much-needed nap, I’m all about creating an environment where you feel safe, heard, and cared for. Birth is powerful, parenting is brave, and I’m honored to walk beside you in it all.

I am Kimberly S. Myers, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with more than 20 years of experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and the early parenting journey. As the Chief Education Officer of Pregnancy Concepts LLC and a long-time maternal–child health educator, I have guided thousands of parents through the tender, joyful, and sometimes overwhelming moments of welcoming a new baby. My approach is calm, evidence-based, and deeply compassionate—I believe every parent deserves support that feels personal, practical, and judgment-free. My philosophy is simple: your body is capable, your baby is unique, and you deserve guidance that honors both. I help parents tune into their instincts, understand what’s normal, and navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether I’m troubleshooting latch concerns, preparing families for birth, or supporting them through the fourth trimester, my goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and empowered. When you begin your journey with Pregnancy Concepts, you can expect care that reflects expertise, compassion, and a true partnership. I’m here to walk alongside you as you learn, grow, and build a strong, connected foundation with your baby.

I am a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I have experience in the hospital post-partum and NICU units, out-patient and home settings and providing prenatal breast feeding education. I am passionate about helping families feel supported, overcome challenges and achieve their individual breast feeding goals.