Liz has been involved in the world of lactation since before the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE) was formed. She was a young nurse working in a huge nursery in 1983 and was the ONLY nurse who had ever breastfed a baby! At that time, the La Leche League Blue Book was available and Surgeon General C. Everett Koop had formed the State Breastfeeding Task Force groups. After teaching childbirth education for several years, Liz took the “new” UCSD CLE program under Gini Baker in 1991. She passed IBCLC boards in 1993 and has worked in many settings: hospital, clinic, pediatric office, military treatment facilities (MTF), and private practice. In addition to patient care, she has provided teaching and training, program development, parent and staff educational materials development and BFHI program development and management. Liz started Tidewater Lactation Group in 2007 to support the Hampton Roads community and in 2011 she created “MilkNotes” software to make lactation charting easier for other LCs.

Amy has been a Registered Nurse since 2002 and worked in various areas of the hospital, but fell in love with the Emergency Department. She came to us after having been a client of Liz’s in 2010. She had successfully nursed three children and was having a difficult time with her fourth child. After several months of therapy and determination, they were able to successfully breastfeed! She earned her Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Credential while interning with us and passed her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam in 2020. The support, love, hope and help that Amy received from Liz, led her down the path she has traveled and now wants to give back more than ever to families the same way Liz gave to her. Amy’s daughter, now grown, has breastfed her own two babies!

Taylor became interested in lactation after an easy breastfeeding experience with her first baby. She enjoyed breastfeeding so much that she bought a lactation textbook just for fun! When she had challenges feeding her second baby, she reached out to Liz at TWLG. With Liz’s knowledge and support, Taylor and her baby continued to nurse for 2 years. Taylor has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a background working in the sciences but knew that she had a new career calling. She earned her Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Credential and then completed her lactation education with the University of California, San Diego in 2022 to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).  We’re excited to have Taylor and all her passion joining our practice! 

Isamarys started with us in 2020 as we were preparing for Rhonda’s maternity leave. She is a DONA Certified Doula (CD) and has all the knowledge to provide excellent customer care in the front office. Isa is from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish and English making our ESL moms incredibly comfortable in communicating their questions and concerns. She is a Navy wife and “Dog Mom” to 3 spoiled pups and has many interests that include Infant Photography, Healthy Living, and everything Science. Isa earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and her Associate of Science in Insurance Billing and Coding. She completed the Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Credential and is now interning to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Rhonda is a Hampton Roads area native with 16 years experience in the Early Childhood field. Her passion for helping people brought her to Tidewater Lactation Group where she started as our customer service representative. We love her optimistic attitude and our moms are so appreciative of her gentle spirit. She breastfed her daughter for over 2 years and in 2023 she welcomed her son. Both were worn around the office as nursing infants. Rhonda has completed the LER lactation training program to earn her Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Credential. Most recently, she is studying for the Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Credential through the ALPP. She is the Chair of the 757 Breastfeeding Coalition and is active in volunteer outreach.

Jenna has a background in Child Development with 12 years of education in the field. She first joined our group in 2012 before moving to Suffolk to grow her family. She successfully breastfed her children for a combined 3yrs! Jenna came back to us in 2019 after earning her Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Credential. She primarily works behind the scenes managing billing and insurance for TWLG.

Jennifer became interested in lactation after joining a mother’s support group with her first baby in 2014. As a military spouse having lived in multiple locations, including Hampton Roads and now Jacksonville Florida, she understands how important support is for the breastfeeding family. After breastfeeding her children for a combined total of over 4 years with all of their challenges, she decided to make the switch from her career in Graphic Design to a master’s program in lactation education. She earned her Masters in Human Lactation in 2023 from Union Institute and University, and more recently a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Credential.  Jennifer joined our internship program as a student at Union and successfully passed the board exam in 2023 to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The community support she received has led to a passion for supporting families through their breastfeeding journeys.

If you are interested in meeting with Jennifer in the Jacksonville area in Florida, click here for eligibility approval.

Alyce holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education from the University of Florida and worked for several years with the Florida Department of Health as a health educator. She is a military spouse who started her lactation education journey while living in Japan. There was little breastfeeding support on the small base where her family was stationed, so she completed the LER course to provide lactation services in the base hospital and clinic for over a year before moving back to the States. She has now settled in Hampton Roads with her 3 children and retired military husband. Her children have all been breastfed (for a total of 5 years) each with their own challenges. Along her path, she has earned her Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Credentials. Alyce joined our internship program and successfully passed the Board Exam in 2023 to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She loves working with families to encourage and support their breastfeeding journeys!