About Me: Sara Ann Alanis

Hello!

 

My name is Sara, and I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and certified Infant Feeding Specialist (IFS). I am also a Registered Nurse (RN), specializing in Maternity, Newborn, and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. I hold a bachelor's degree in Nursing, as well as a bachelor's degree in Biology.

 

My passion for helping families with infant feeding began shortly after the birth of my first child in 2012. My goal was to breastfeed, but at the time I did not have much knowledge of breastfeeding, nor did I have a very good support system. I did not know where to go for help with the challenges I was faced with, so I felt overwhelmed and alone. Luckily, a friend of mine directed me to a couple of local nursing moms groups. I quickly found the support that I needed, and I. Was. Hooked. 

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In 2013 I completed coursework to become a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Shortly there after I obtained an RN position working with moms, babies, and families postpartum. In 2014 I had my second child. As a CLC and RN who worked with breastfeeding families frequently, I felt well prepared to breastfeed this time. Little did I know, I was in for quite a struggle. Fortunately, a friend suggested that I meet with an IBCLC in private practice. 

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The limitless knowledge of the Private Practice IBCLC, her genuine desire to help me, and the benefits from all of the advice that she provided while I was having such a difficult time, further fueled my fire to delve into the world of Lactation Consulting. I wanted to be Just. Like. Her. She was remarkable. So, while still nursing my son, I completed hundreds of hours of coursework and clinical experience. In 2016 I passed the IBCLC board examination with one of the top scores of any candidate internationally, and in 2018 my private practice was born.​

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Since that time I have been blessed with two stepchildren, and I have birthed a third child. I have taught breastfeeding, newborn care, and sibling classes, and I have led and spoken at postpartum support groups. I am a member of the NH Breastfeeding Taskforce, the NH Association for Infant Mental Health, the Holistic Moms Network, the United States Lactation Consultant Association, and the International Lactation Consultant Association. I am the founder of the NH Lactation Consulting Collaborative, and the chair of the Private Practice Lactation Consultant subcommittee of the NH Breastfeeding Taskforce. I have professional interest in epigenetics, cultural anthropology, the biology of breastfeeding, supporting family dynamics, and maternal mental health support. I have received advanced training in the areas of infant development, breast & bottle feeding techniques, oral assessments, tongue tie assessments, body work, low milk supply, pump flange fitting, diversity and inclusion, trauma informed care, birth story listening, communication skills, and crisis intervention. It is because of this interdisciplinary training (and a commitment to never stop learning!) that I am able to provide the highly specialized care that I excel in. 

 

In my personal time I enjoy spending time with my children and family- camping, traveling, horseback riding, doing pilates & yoga, crafting, cooking, and photography. In feeding my own babies I have struggled with latch refusal, low milk supply, tongue tie, nipple trauma, oversupply, food intolerance, food allergy, breast refusal, bottle refusal, pumping, and bottle feeding. I have experienced the same lack of support and misinformation that most of my clients have, and that is why I work so hard to be the best practitioner that I can be. I believe that every family has the right to make their own informed decisions about the way that they feed, raise, and nurture their children, and that every family should have access to high quality support to achieve those goals.