Today we’d like to introduce you to Cleo Marchese, IBCLC RLC.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I decided to become a lactation consultant after the birth of my second child. I had a horrible breastfeeding experience with my son that became an ongoing struggle. The biggest problem I faced was the lack of breastfeeding knowledge by medical professionals ranging from advising me to pump and dump or you can never breastfeed again.
That’s when I found a wonderful group of women, La Leche League. Through them, board-certified lactation consultants or IBCLCS. These women knew what they were talking about. Medical recommendations were clear, backed by evidence-based care. They had access to so much information. Imagine my surprise when I was sent guidelines from current lactation books and other sources.
This is when I knew I wanted to be a board certified lactation consultant. I wanted to train for years to help women, and soak up as much knowledge as I could about breastfeeding. I wanted to fix problems that go way beyond sore nipples and poor latching. Most of my clients are struggling with complex breastfeeding problems because of poor health, or who have babies who are ill or preterm. Some have experienced too many birth interventions causing a cascade of breastfeeding problems. All of these present unique challenges, making breastfeeding go from hard to almost impossible without help.
I believe every woman who wants to breastfeed or provide breast milk for her baby should be helped. Especially after a difficult pregnancy or birth. Research shows breastfeeding going well dramatically reduces postpartum depression. Why? Because sometimes like in my situation, it was the only thing going well. The confidence to grow and nurture your baby with your body can have a tremendous positive psychological effect on your overall mood and well being.
I also believe in the power of mother to mother support. My years of being a La Leche League Leader helped me learn how to empower mothers through breastfeeding. Failing to breastfeed when it was very important to you can have a power, negative effect on a woman’s psyche. Most women can tell you in great detail what went wrong with breastfeeding when they wanted to be successful decades later. I wanted to give other women the support they needed, combined with the right lactation help and evidence-based care to achieve their personal goals.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, probably the biggest struggle was juggling motherhood and going back to school.
I loved taking courses in anatomy and physiology. Child development, psychology, and nutrition. But balancing family and my education was definitely hard. I studied most of the time late at night when everyone was sleeping.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Natural Beginnings story. Tell us more about it.
I am partnered with three lovely women at Natural Beginnings. We offer a variety of services for new parents but I work strictly in lactation. My services are for beginning breastfeeding problems, and advanced breastfeeding care. I also specialize in working with preterm infants, lip and tongue tie and adoptive nursing. Most of my clients are recommended to me by past clients or by their doctor. I am known for careful problem solving and coming up with lactation care plans mothers can follow. I feel what sets me apart is I am easily accessible to my clients. Their needs are important to me. I love that pediatricians have enough confidence in me, to trust me with the care of their smallest patients.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the field of lactation growing over the next 5-10 years. Americans are becoming more health conscious. Today’s parents are educating themselves about infant care especially optimum nutrition for babies. The immunological components in breast milk have a big appeal. Breast milk is not just food, it’s alive and teaming with protective factors. The biggest shift I see is a move towards more home-based care and virtual lactation consulting. Today’s parents are more comfortable receiving care in their homes. I feel virtual lactation consulting is the wave of the future. Moms can have quick access to professionally certified lactation consultants for breastfeeding help or questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naturalbeginningsonline.com
- Phone: 214.505.3967
- Email: cleomarchese@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Naturalbeginningsonline/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/natural-beginnings-cleo-marchese-plano-2
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/9MnW5f
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