Allegra Gassert-DeMan, IBCLC
Like many folks who work in lactation, my experience began with my own baby.
He came along via c-section at 9lbs 5 oz and changed everything about my life. He was NOT an ‘easy’ baby, and is still a challenging kid! Latching him was excruciating, my husband was deployed, and I was trying to navigate his colic while learning how to pump for the first time- all before I was even supposed to be able to drive a car following the major abdominal surgery that is a c-section. It was INTENSE. Learning to feed my baby was like learning a whole new language- I would have been completely lost without the guidance of the people who had gone before me. In everything I do, I am reminded of the gift of knowledge and care given to me by those folks, and I try to honor it by giving it to others.
From stepping into the new role of parenthood to where I am now- an IBCLC with years of knowledge and experience, it has been one building block upon another. Along the way, I have worked at a store carrying maternity and postpartum items including pumps, two WIC agencies, and a busy hospital postpartum unit. Now in private practice, I can focus as much time and energy as each client requires- and deserves- to feel confident in their feeding plan.
My future life will include more education for myself, creating on-demand classes and tools for my peers and clients, and always prioritizing the care of the families I serve.
Kenzie Choates is a mother of two and has been happily married for seven years to Michael Choates. When she isn’t homeschooling her active kiddo or nursing her new baby Kenzie provides technical, administrative, and marketing consulting for Columbus Le Lait. Without Kenzie’s work and dedication, this would be a dream without a backbone. Kenzie’s journey to lactation work began with her oldest child. After encountering latch difficulty, needing to exclusively pump at a demanding job, and not receiving the support she needed, Kenzie became that support and resource for others dedicating herself to every family she has worked with. Always leading with compassion, empathy, and integrity, Kenzie continues her work by supporting families feeding their infants and empowering others to have the experience they deserve.