From a young age, Emmalyn knew she wanted to work with mothers and babies. While her original plan was to attend nursing school, she instead received a scholarship to Eureka College where she studied Psychology and Hispanic Studies. During her time in college, she grew a passion for lactation work, and began shadowing her family friend, Trish Wierenga, an IBCLC and Family Nurse Practitioner serving the central Illinois community. In June of 2021 Emmalyn received her CLS (Certified Lactation Specialist) certification and in December of 2023 she recieved her IBCLC certification. She began working at a birth center in her area as a medical office assistant and lactation student in May of 2022 after graduating from EC. Alongside her IBCLC, she plans to earn her certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) in order to best serve lactating mothers and their families. Outside of work you can find her playing music at local venues, writing songs, leading worship at Cana Lutheran Church in Washington, IL, and spending time with her fiancé, family, friends, and many, many pets.

My passions in life have always included serving people in the community. When I became a mother for the first time myself, I was amazed by the strength and love I felt for myself and my child. I felt a deep desire to stay connected to that feeling, and to help empower other families.

Struggling through postpartum and breastfeeding while healing physically and mentally felt alienating, and throughout my journey of attempting to meet my personal breastfeeding goals, I realized how many of us were out there in rural West Central Illinois looking for the same connections- especially breastfeeding support! To put it simply, breastfeeding did not come easily for me with any of my four children. My second child was a NICU baby to boot, and after having four very different pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding journeys, I decided to follow my heart and pursue my dream of becoming an IBCLC and to provide support to others.

I have had the privilege of serving my community through peer based support systems, through working in Public Health, and through lactation advocacy roles in my community. I am deeply passionate about educating and empowering people, giving them the tools to make informed choices, and the support to feel confident in their choices. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to provide evidence-based and unbiased breastfeeding support and education to families in our rural areas!

I am a perpetual optimist! I believe there's always a silver lining, and almost all hurdles can be jumped. A good support system will carry us far! I am available to help in the comfort of your own home, through a virtual space, or wherever you find yourself in need of assistance. Don't hesitate to reach out to talk and ask any questions regarding all things lactation.

I was inspired to become an IBCLC after having an amazing nursing school instructor who was also a Lactation Consultant. I saw her provide the support and accurate information that I was missing during my difficult breastfeeding experience with my first baby. I've since spent the past 17 years supporting breastfeeding families, and it's one of my greatest joys! I love supporting moms in reaching THEIR feeding goals. My specialties include pumping, flange sizing, managing low milk supply, breastfeeding after c-section, adoptive/surrogate lactation, and transitioning baby to the breast after a period of exclusive bottle feeding.