I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with a background in animal care – specifically working with marine animals. After the birth of my first child, I transitioned into life as I stay-at-home mom. My personal breastfeeding journey ignited a deep passion for lactation support and the incredible science behind mother’s milk, which led me to pursue the pathway to becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

In 2016, after completing a two-year, clinical internship, I successfully passed the board exam and officially became an IBCLC – an unforgettable and proud moment in my career!

I truly love supporting mothers and babies as they navigate their breastfeeding and lactation journeys. I offer personalized care through a variety of support methods and also enjoy empowering expectant parents by meeting with them prenatally to discuss their goals and what to expect.

My husband and I are blessed with two energetic, joyful boys. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering, baking, spending time with my family, and exploring the outdoors. I proudly serve families in Sumner, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, and Wilson counties in Tennessee.

I've had a passion for birth work for as long as I can remember (my favorite childhood show was "A Birth Story" on TLC). I got my start in birth work as a birth doula, supporting families in both hospital and home settings. I learned about lactation from a grandmother at a home birth I attended and I haven't looked back since!

I spent three years working toward my IBCLC certification, including a nearly two year mentorship with Nashville Birth And Babies' veterans Kate and Leah. Currently, I love hosting our weekly Weigh To Go, Baby! support group. My lactation education has deepened through my own breastfeeding journey, which continues into my daughter's second year of life, with new challenges. Feeding struggles equipped me with empathy for families trying to establish and reach their feeding goals.

My husband, Grant, and I live in East Nashville with our daughters, Rees & Jane, and our pup, Sue. Together, we enjoy hiking, biking, and exploring our ever-expanding city.

Grace serves the West and East sides of Nashville. Grace is currently not accepting new patients while on maternity leave.

I am mama to four beautiful children and breastfed for 12.5 years straight, yes, through 3 pregnancies! My husband and I live in Nashville, having moved here in 2004 from Cincinnati, with our kids and a few fur-babies. My childhood was filled with many pregnant and nursing cats and lots of baby dolls in rural Ohio. I was always enamored by pregnancy, birth, and babies. My first job was on a neighbor’s farm as a milkmaid, filling glass bottles with fresh milk for local families. The irony is not lost on me that I have, forever, been surrounded by nursing mamas and lots of milk! I love to hike, identify wild flowers and plants, kayak, and learn about other cultures/cuisines.

I started my career with mamas and babies as a Labor & Delivery nurse. The hospital where I worked in Cincinnati had birth tubs in many rooms and we had nurse-midwives in nearly every practice. Babies stayed with families at all times, even after cesarean section births. So, my entry into the scene of natural birthing came with the territory, even before I was a mother. I quickly decided to go to grad school for midwifery/women’s health while at the same time studying to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I took both certification board exams within 11 days of each other! It has been my privilege to serve families in a variety of settings: women's & children's hospitals, birth centers, private office, and in their homes. I strive to provide excellence in inclusive and compassionate care to all families.

In 2008, our second son, Elijah, was stillborn at term. He was a perfect, beautiful boy and changed my life in many ways. During maternity & bereavement leave, I decided to leave bedside lactation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center & Children's Hospital and opened a private practice along with a dear friend of mine. It has blossomed into what Nashville Birth And Babies is today! In memory of Elijah, I offer free lactation services to families who have lost their babies or expect their baby to pass. You may take a peek at our birth photos here: www.ElijahPatrick.com

I practice in the Sylvan Park/Nashville home-like office, serving families as far away as Cookeville, Memphis, and southern Illinois.

I am a Nashville-born native located in the Southeast area of Middle Tennessee. I hold a background in Public Health, a 7 year history of working with WIC, and I currently teach in-home Infant CPR and Choking safety classes (American Red Cross). I am also a nursing student soon to graduate May 2026!

Since 2017, I have been a lactation educator with a passion to connect with families to meet their breastfeeding goals. By providing intimate support, my goal is to always uplift and empower my community the best way I can.

Are you a mom who is struggling in the middle of the night with struggling to feed her baby? Are you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted? Have you been searching for breastfeeding help? I've personally been there, too. I remember back when I was exhausted and I would skip over websites that looked too overwhelming to read and get quick tips. So my inspiration for this website and my why of becoming a lactation consultant has come from this desperate place that I was and that you're currently in.

I'm an experienced baby nurse in the NICU, newborn nursery, postpartum. I have advanced skills including:
Oral rehabilitation for the breastfeeding dyad understanding
Supporting tongue restrictions with advanced oral assessments.
Herbal support for mom and infant.
Bottle refusal skills to help support a baby who will not take a bottle
Low supply
Slow weight gains

Why Choose Chattanooga Lactation?

With 17 years of experience in postpartum, NICU, and lactation care, I bring a holistic, evidence-based approach to breastfeeding support. As an CLC and IBCLC with 11 years of lactation experience, I focus on identifying root causes rather than just treating symptoms. Whether you're experiencing low milk supply, latching difficulties, tongue ties, or nipple pain, I take the time to truly listen and create a care plan tailored to your unique needs.

My goal is always to find the root causes and really listen to you to figure out what may be going on.

Dawnalea was born and raised in California and set down roots in Nashville. She is the Founder of Lavender Lactation® and has always had a calling to assist families in meeting their breastfeeding and lactation goals. Dawnalea has been a Registered Nurse since 2009 and holds a Bachelors degree in science. She has worked in many fields of nursing, including trauma, emergency medicine, critical care, and pediatrics.

WHY LACTATION?

When my first child was born, I struggled with breastfeeding and this fueled my desire to pursue a career in human lactation. My passion grew and expanded as I began offering support both online and in clinical settings.

BECOMING AN IBCLC:

The primary focus was to bridge the gap in family-based education around breastfeeding and human lactation. Five years her first breastfeeding journey began, she passed the exam to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, achieving the most rigorous credential for lactation care. Dawnalea is a mother to 3 children, owner of Lavender Lactation established in 2016, and has been Board Certified since 2018. Dawnalea has also assisted in the mentorship of new IBCLC’s and Pathway 3 interns.

Training: Dawnalea has completed the IBCLC Masterclass with advanced training in tethered oral tissues (tongue, lip, and buccal ties) and oral habilitation of the breastfeeding dyad. This includes training on oral motor exercises and pre and post care for release. Dawnalea has also taken advanced training in bottle refusal and the maternal to infant microbiome.