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About our lactation consultants
Rachel Martinez
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
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​Hi! I'm Rachel Martinez of East Tennessee Lactation, LLC. I'm an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and I have been helping families with breastfeeding since 2013.
I spent the early part of my adult career teaching Spanish and French to some really incredible high school students. In 2007, I married my husband Anthony, and in 2008, we welcomed the first of our four fabulous children.
Breastfeeding was something I always knew I wanted to do, but it wasn't very easy for me. With my first baby, I dealt with painful breastfeeding, food
sensitivities (that later developed into food allergies), oversupply and then low supply, and more. And new babies bring new breastfeeding issues. Like many of the wonderful people who enter the field of lactation, I knew early on in my own journey that I wanted to support other families in feeding their babies. So that's what I did.
In 2013 with the unfailing support of my husband, I began the transition from public education into the lactation world, first as an educator, then counselor, and now IBCLC. While I spend most of my time working with moms and babies to improve (sometimes very tricky) breastfeeding situations, I couldn't leave the teacher in me behind. I continue to teach monthly breastfeeding classes and also see mothers prenatally to make feeding plans before their babies even arrive (and it's one of my favorite things!)
I am so thrilled you found your way here. I look forward to getting to know you and supporting you in breastfeeding your baby.
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Mandy Rodgers
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Hi! I'm Mandy Rodgers! I'm an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant serving the Sevier County area. I'm the wife of a parks and recreation professional and mom to four beautiful breastfed children.
I've always had a passion for breastfeeding and began my career in lactation in 2014 by working as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the WIC program. A few years earlier, I had my third child who was premature and spent five months in the NICU. I struggled getting the help and support I needed to nurse and pump. That experience led me to seek out ways to help others who weren't getting
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the help they needed to meet their feeding goals. Since 2014, I have led the Sevier County Breastfeeding Moms Support group and plan to resume in-person meetings soon.
In 2018, I attended training to become a Certified Lactation Specialist and knew even then that I wanted to become board certified. I wanted to offer the complete care that so many families need. I can help with prenatal education, latching, milk supply, ties, part time or exclusive pumping, and more.
I offer a comfortable, non-judgmental consultation where I will listen and help you understand your options. Together we will make a plan that you feel good about and that helps you meet your feeding goals. I'm excited to meet you and be a part of your care team!
