A tid-bit about myself

Josi- Boobs & Teeth. Those are my things.

I'm a fairly normal, middle class, hot mess, "boymom". Two rambunctious boys. Jayce and Leo.
I'm very family oriented. My home is my sanctuary.
I find reward in education and value knowledge. I love everything I do, but I especially love lactation.

I'm a Certified Dental Assistant, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist and I think my Nursing Assistant Certification is also still active as well.
I’m originally from Michigan but live in Indiana.
I am actively working towards the credentials of IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).
It is a very slow process for me though, as the days fly by.

I'm as much of a hippy as I can be. I love nature, happy moments and trees. I firmly believe in Karma & the saying: "What goes around, comes back around." It has influenced lots of good and positivity in my life, & for that, I am grateful.

I am all about uplifting education. I try to empower positive change around the world. "Life is beautiful" (as my grandma would say), all you have to do is take a deep breath and  look around.

I owe everything to my supporters & followers. 
You know who you are. 
I am forever grateful that you inspired me and helped me pursue this passion of mine.

My breastfeeding story:

About 8 years ago I gave birth to my first son. I decided I wanted to attempt nursing. I was a young mother and even though I had some slight aversions to the idea of nursing, I still wanted to experience it. I knew breasts were made for feeding your baby, so I went with it. Unfortunately his latch was off and excruciatingly painful from the very start. Knowing I was going to fail at something I set my mind to accomplishing was brutal, but I resented feeding my baby due to the pain. The nurses and  breastfeeding helpers at the hospital were unable to help me succeed in direct nursing. The support, education and encouragement I so desperately needed wasn't available . I failed at breastfeeding and started formula 3 weeks in.
No one gave me any other option.
I can only look back and think: "Man I wish I knew then, what I know now."
About 2 weeks after resorting to formula, my son was diagnosed with congenital Torticollis, which I understand now, was the reason his latch was so painful. After becoming educated in the dental & lactation field, I now understand he has SEVERE ties as well, still unrevised.

Fast forward to the birth of my second bundle of boy, I am still quite uneducated, but I was absolutely determined to succeed in breastfeeding, although had a negative outlook of success due to my first. The IBCLC's and nurses in the hospital reassured me our latch was “perfect”. Again, I found myself in excruciating pain every time he’d latch on & my anxiety sky rocketed with let down.
Torticollis was ruled out, so I knew it wasn't that. I had IBCLC's come out to my house just to confirm our latch was perfect, as it was.  I continued to grit my teeth through the pain and emotions, and nurse for 3 more months. My goal was at least a year. Unfortunately, a mixutre of PTSD from my first childs' breastfeeding journey and D-MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex- associated with nursing) did me in.
Finally I had enough. I came to a crazy, unheard of, but oh so simple resolution of:  “I’m just going to pump." This is where my passion began.

After research, reaching out, making surveys, finding and administrating numerous support groups for women who were Exclusively Pumping (EP), calling numerous breast pump manufacturers,  taking pumps apart & putting them back together again, educating myself based off my own personal experiences with trial and error and the thousands of stories and experiences from other mothers like me- I succeeded in breast feeding via EPing just short of 12 months. I met my goal (with pumped milk) and a fire lit within me: I wanted to help others. I got educated & certified, created this website to help others & started a chain of support groups on FB for moms.
 I just want to help be the support system so many moms, like myself, are/were lacking.


*** I am not an IBCLC, I am an
"Enriched" Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. ***