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.

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.

Hi, I’m Cait! I graduated from SIU Edwardsville with my BSN in 2011 and began my nursing career as a Pediatric Neurology Nurse. In 2014, I got married and transitioned to Labor and Delivery, where my passion for supporting growing families truly blossomed. After welcoming our first daughter in 2015, I experienced firsthand how challenging infant feeding can be—and how isolating it can feel when the support you need isn’t there. That experience became a meaningful turning point in my career.

Motivated by the challenges of my own breastfeeding journey, I pursued advanced education in lactation with the goal of ensuring that no family feels unheard, unsupported, or uncertain while navigating feeding concerns.

I earned my IBCLC in 2018, shortly after the birth of our second daughter, and have since dedicated my practice to supporting new parents during one of the most vulnerable and transformative times in their lives. I am deeply committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based information that empowers families to make confident decisions and meet their individual feeding goals. It is truly an honor to walk alongside families and support them through every stage of their feeding journeys.

When I’m not supporting families, you can find me spending time with my family, planning a beach vacation, or baking a sweet treat!