Lactation Consultants & IBCLCs Near Me in Portage, MI

I believe that supporting mothers through the thresholds of birth and postpartum is how we can heal and transform our culture into one that is sustainable, inclusive, and nurturing.

I am the founder and creator of Appointed Time Doula Services. I am a graduate of Dona International where I attained my Birth Doula Certification. It is paramount to me that my clients feel as welcome and as cared for as though they were members of my own family, in comparison to being a part of an uncaring system. The most rewarding aspect of my ministry is the opportunity to witness a new life come forth into this world. This priceless moment allows me to develop a unique relationship with each family.

My passion is deeply rooted in my personal experience and life long passions to help others. I had a rough start breastfeeding our daughter. With the thoughtful care of an amazing IBCLC who came to my home to help me, I was able to have a long breastfeeding journey with our daughter. Her support made me realize that I wanted to help other parents achieve their goals. It was really a full circle journey for me. When I was in college, I thought that I wanted to go into healthcare, but my academic journey didn’t work out for that. I pursued a degree in marketing and entered into the business world. I could never figure out why that didn’t work out in college until I was inspired to become a lactation professional. God had a plan for me to help moms, and lactation has been my way to help people in the way that I always thought that I wanted to in healthcare. I am a mom to two amazing kiddos and in my previous career worked in marketing and sales. My husband and I met when we both worked in college athletics. I took a step back from my career when I got pregnant with our daughter and focused on her and living the coach’s wife life with SEC football. It is then that I found my passion for lactation. I am a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame and I grew up in the Michiana area. I am so happy to be home and serving our community (and beyond) with my private practice.

I'm Jesyka Ricker, an IBCLC with a Master's in Human Lactation. Nice to meet you! I am the owner, operator and only person at Ancient Roots Lactation, L3C in Michigan. I moved from Florida recently with my 5yo son and my wonderful husband. I trained at Tampa General Hospital on the Labor and Delivery floor and the NICU. I helped families through in-home visits all over the Tampa Bay area for over 2 years under Ancient Roots Lactation, LLC. I have a passion for educating families about the science of lactation while helping them find solutions that fit with their lives free from judgement. Feel free to contact me through jesykarickermi@gmail.com or (813) 551-0158

Anne is a Speech Language Pathologist and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, specializing in feeding and swallowing with newborns through childhood. Anne has over 18 years of experience working within the pediatric acute care hospital setting including the NICU, the outpatient setting, as well as home health. Anne has a special interest in tethered oral tissues and the impact tongue and lip ties have on feeding and oral development. Anne is excited to share her knowledge and help problem solve general to complex feeding issues. She will support you and your family as you navigate feeding development with your child.

Choosing a doula is about finding someone you feel safe with, supported by, and truly listened to. I believe every family deserves to feel respected, informed, and cared for during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. My goal is to create a calm, steady presence so parents can focus on welcoming their baby with confidence. I am a DONA Certified birth and postpartum doula, a Lactation Specialist, and VBAC certified. I also have training in techniques such as Spinning Babies, the Miles Circuit, and a variety of labor positions and comfort measures that can help support progress and reduce discomfort during labor. My role during birth is to help create a calm environment, offer practical comfort techniques, and support both the birthing person and their partner so they feel informed and empowered throughout the experience. After birth, my focus shifts to helping families rest, recover, and adjust to life with their new baby. Postpartum support can include newborn care guidance, feeding support, emotional encouragement, and helping parents find their rhythm during those early weeks. Every family is different, and I meet people where they are and support them in the ways that feel most helpful to them. I proudly accept Medicaid as well as private pay so that more families can access doula support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Supporting families during this time is truly meaningful work to me, and I feel honored to be invited into such an important moment in people’s lives. When I am not working with families, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, and visiting the beach where I love collecting rocks along the shore.

I am a lactation consultant (IBCLC) and RN who has worked in the mother-baby world since 1994. I have a very varied background spanning the hospital, pediatric offices, home visiting, WIC, and telehealth. For almost 30 years I've helped families from 1 hour old to 1+ year old, and look forward to helping you figure out your path forward with breastfeeding and/or pumping.

hi my name is Lanea. I am new to the birth world and enthusiastic to be here. I love birth work and I understand the importance behind that and the need for a doula in the labor world lol I’m proud that I have helped with a compassionate and driven mind women in their moment of need my goal is to make the experience everything that you need it to be.

Hi, my name is Chante Shine. I am a wife, mother and cancer survivor. It was after my own two wildly different but equally amazing birth experiences I realized that I had a passion for birth. For years afterward, I helped to guide my friends through their birth journeys but after my life changing struggles in 2022 I decided, life is short and there is not a minute to waste! So, in 2023 I decided to make it official and get my Birth Doula Certification. I also went ahead and added Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Counselor and Childbirth Educator Certifications to my agenda! I am currently working my way through these classes, and I could not be more excited and thrilled to start working with expecting parents such as yourselves!

Hi! My name is Emily Martin and I’m an IBCLC with Milk Guide! I’ve been serving local families and providing lactation support for 5 years. I love helping families meet their feeding goals, whatever they may be! I have virtual and in-person options as well as access to a team of lactation consultants in several midwestern states. I can support you or connect you with someone else!

Hello there! I’m Stephany Sawyer, a CBS(certified breastfeeding specialist) in north eastern IN. I have a background in Speech Language Pathology and am on track to become an IBCLC within the year. I love coming alongside families and encouraging and supporting their feeding goals. I offer home visits within one hour of my location in Middlebury and love providing support as long as families are wanting help.

The Lactation Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides accessible, evidence-based lactation medicine and support for every family throughout West Michigan.

I’m a trained birth doula and am looking forward to helping with your birth so that you can have the birth that you want. Birth is a sacred thing and not only does baby matter, but the birthing person matters too.

Hello there! I am a both Certified Lactation Counselor with Milk Guide Lactation and a Certified Postpartum Doula. I aim to help families meet their infant feeding goals, while taking into consideration their overall postpatum wellness, holding space for all questions and feelings, and connecting them with local resources. I’d love to help you have an empowered postpartum experience!

Cass is the owner of and a clinical practitioner at Cass Christopher Lactation Consulting. Cass sees patients all over the country and world via telehealth and performs in-person care at the Holland, Michigan location. Cass is a former dancer, singer, actress and Broadway performer. Before having a family, she toured the world, taking in language & culture from 28 countries on 4 continents. As a new mom she had many breastfeeding challenges but had never heard of a lactation consultant and couldn’t have afforded one if she had. These early struggles inspired her to help other parents in need. Cass did her clinical hours at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens NY, with the Lactation Learning Collective in Harlem, NY and in homes in western Michigan rounding out her education with a total of 9 mentors! She believes that everyone deserves high quality and compassionate health care regardless of their race, culture, who they love, or their financial situation.

I am a mother I have breastfed all my babies I have firsthand experience and knowledge in the whole process of adjusting to parenting. I am very resourceful, I have lived in the Grand Rapids area my whole life, so, I am pretty familiar with a lot of things in the city. My Mission as your Postpartum Doula is to help you transition into your role as a new parent. My goal is to make this transition as easy as possible, and to provide you with the necessary resources to ensure your new families, continued health and well-being.

I am a birth doula, breastfeeding specialist, and childbirth educator who believes women have the right to feel heard and empowered during their birth. I take the time to thoroughly educate women and their partners so that they head to their birth confident and prepared. I take my role as a doula seriously, taking the time to receive training in Spinning Babies, Rebozo Techniques, Grief and Loss, and Trauma-Informed Care. Simultaneously, I seek to feel like a friend to the families I work with, knowing that they are trusting me with one of the most memorable days of their lives! Birth is sacred and you deserve a doula who is experienced, passionate, educated, and caring to walk you through it!

A lot of my passion for educating and supporting parents with body feeding comes from my own experience. I had an incredible support system between my partner, my friends, and my birth team. I hope to be able to provide that same type of compassionate, gentle, and patient care for you and your family as well. I am committed to providing an accessible, inclusive, and peaceful environment for my clients as we figure out what tips, tricks, and resources might be helpful in your world as you feed your baby. I will provide a balance of emotional support, education, and problem solving to you and continue to be within reach as needed while you work to reach your feeding goals.

Hi, I’m Makayla, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Carseat Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I started my journey practicing as a birth and postpartum doula. I am passionate about supporting mothers and families on their breastfeeding journeys. As a mother of two boys, I understand the unique challenges and joys that come with nurturing little ones. I’m here to provide expert guidance and compassionate care to help you and your baby thrive. Please email: makaylabowne@latchedmi.com and/or head to my website latchedmi.com for info and insurance coverage submission

Hello, and welcome. My name is Melissa, and I’m the doula and heart behind Held at Tulia — a space rooted in stillness, strength, and deep presence. “Tulia” means to be calm in Swahili, and that spirit of grounded peace shapes the care I offer. As a full-spectrum doula, I walk alongside you through all the sacred and complex chapters of your reproductive journey — from fertility and birth to postpartum, loss, and every moment in between. My approach is intuitive, nonjudgmental, and rooted in honoring your autonomy and wisdom. As a woman, I understand how vital it is to feel truly seen, heard, and held — especially in moments when the world doesn’t always offer that care freely. I am committed to creating a space where your choices are respected, your identity is affirmed, and your experiences are witnessed with compassion. Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating abortion or loss, healing in postpartum, or simply seeking steady hands and an open heart — you belong here. Held at Tulia is not just a service, but a sanctuary.