Latch

My name is Crystel. I am a registered nurse and a private practice IBCLC (international board-certified lactation consultant). I travel to see women and families in their homes before and after the birth of their babies. If you prefer to not meet in your home I do have a lactation clinic in Dexter, Iowa. I love to assist women and empower them with knowledge and tools for their breastfeeding journey.

I travel to offer breastfeeding help, near and far.

​

Not only am I a private practice lactation consultant, but I am also a professional photographer, specializing in newborns. 

​

I am a mom of two beautiful children, Jack (9) and Elizabeth (6). I attempted to breastfeed Jack right away and took all the hospital classes trying to prepare myself.

I believed that I was unable to breastfeed him due to not knowing how much milk he was receiving. I ended up mostly pumping with him.

 

With my daughter I was more informed and more comfortable with my body. I breastfed her for 8 months and comfort fed until 12 months, but with a lot of help.

​

At this point I had not gone back to school. This time, for lactation education. I have experience in acute care at the largest hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. There, I was a postpartum RN. Prior to that I spent several years at an OB/GYN clinic as a provider's nurse. I have been a nurse since 2009.

​

Things that I enjoy include spending time with my kiddos and husband, being outdoors, boat rides, traveling, coffee with LOTS of creamer, and Diet Mountain Dew. Yes, my guilty pleasures.

​

I have always wanted to work with mothers and babies since I was a young girl. When I was in High School I had an internship with a well-known midwife in Des Moines. We traveled to many homes together, and I would stand by to watch the birthing process, take pictures, and watch follow up assessments.

​

Mothers milk is perfect for her baby. There is nothing more unique and beautiful then being able to assist with nourishing the mind and body of an infant or toddler.

​

I don't want anyone to feel lost in this process. Becoming a mother is HARD, breastfeeding is rewarding and sometimes hard, pumping is hard work, bottle feeding is hard work. Is it all rewarding? YES!!  I heard from someone recently that all life is hard, you just have to choose your hard. Work hard for what you want.

​

Let's talk about your goals, let's look at that latch. Let's make sure baby is adequately gaining weight and having wet diapers and stools. You can do it!

​

I will travel to Polk County, Iowa mostly but I often make my way around the state of Iowa. I travel Madison, Boone, Guthrie, Jasper, Marion, Warren, and Adair County, reside in Dallas County, 

​

I have a TANITA lactation scale that I bring with me for any weighted feed visits, this scale is so accurate- down to the gram! Pediatric / Neonatal Scale (tanita.com)

​

I'm here to help!! I will collaborate with the pediatrician, midwife, doula, or family doctor to keep them up to date as well. A report can be sent after our visit to the provider (after your authorization).