About Us

Melissa Schiff, IBCLC, CST, LMT

OWNER OF MAKANA

International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Craniosacral Therapist (CST)

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

I’ve spent over a decade supporting families through my work as a La Leche League Leader and in private practice as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

When you work with me, you’re working with an experienced breastfeeding mom. I’ve faced my own breastfeeding challenges. With my first baby, we had just moved to a new state where I didn’t know anyone. I struggled as a new mom, unsure if what I was experiencing was normal. With no examples of breastfeeding in my family, I was trying to survive with a high-needs baby who gained weight slowly and nursed every hour. I spent hours on Dr. Google and was completely exhausted, but VERY determined to make breastfeeding work!

It wasn’t until I attended my first breastfeeding support group that I realized what I was going through was completely normal. I learned to trust my instincts and sought professional help and support from an IBCLC.

With my second baby, I felt more confident. Breastfeeding got off to a much better start, but after two weeks, my baby boy developed skin rashes, itchy eyes, and sneezing. Once again, I needed help. With my IBCLC’s support, we discovered the culprit. He cleared up, and breastfeeding became much easier. I nursed each of my children for over two years until they weaned themselves.

I am a lifelong learner of all things pregnancy, birth, babies, and breastfeeding. This is my passion! I became a La Leche League Leader in 2006 and have been helping mothers and babies ever since. As an IBCLC, I bring clinical expertise and have been in private practice since 2013.

My journey has led me to explore how babies feed with their whole bodies and how body tension can impact feeding. With my combined skills as an Infant CST Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist (CPMT), and IBCLC, I can assess feeding challenges holistically. By addressing oral function and releasing body tension through gentle bodywork and exercises, I help babies feed more comfortably, improve their overall function, and achieve better feeding outcomes.

Whether you are facing breastfeeding challenges, need help with infant feeding, or want to explore bodywork to support your baby’s health and comfort, I am here to support you every step of the way.

Melissa’s Advanced Lactation Training / Continuing Education:

In addition to the IBCLC board certification and the many continuing education courses I’ve taken over the last 10years, I've completed very specialized training to expand my knowledge and clinical skills to serve you and your baby with the best care.

  • School of Holistic Massage and Reflexology Massage Therapy School – Graduated - Massage therapy license with the state of Illinois

  • Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist (CPMT) - Liddle Kidz Foundation® - Tina Allen

  • Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT) - Liddle Kidz Foundation® - Tina Allen

  • Pediatric Fascial Therapy - Christine Holefelder, BS, LMT - 27-hour training

  • Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Foundations - Beames CST Training Center

  • Infant Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Level 1- Beames CST Training Center

  • Infant Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Level 2 - Beames CST Training Center

  • Infant Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Level 3 - Beames CST Training Center

  • Infant Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Level 4 (Completed all 4 Levels!) - Beames CST Training Center

  • Holistic Functional Lactation: A year long intensive training with a two-week residency and Capstone project, completed in Summer of 2023 - Intuitive Parenting Network – Jennifer Tow

  • A Moveable Feast! - In-depth course on reflexes, rhythmic movements, trauma, and their impacts on birth and infant feeding – Doula My Soul - Bryna Sampey

  • Rhythmic Movement Training International (RMTi)- Level 1 and 2 – Reflexes and rhythmic movements- Thrive- Elizabeth Hickman

  • IBCLC Master Class: Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad: Intensive advanced lactation clinical skills “IBCLC will be able to reference a compendium of effective exercises and tools for facilitating oral habilitation, sucking and body movement. The learner will be able to use multiple strategies to confidently educate families on the use and reasoning behind the care plan developed for infants with complex feeding difficulties.” - Intuitive Parenting Network – Jennifer Tow, Bryna Sampey, Sandra Coulson, Sharon Vallone

  • Oral Functional Assessment of the Breastfeeding Dyad - Intuitive Parenting Network – Jennifer Tow

  • TOTS Training - Chrysalis Oralfacial

  • Gut-Brain for IBCLCs: “A Master Class open to IBCLCs who wish to improve both literacy and clinical efficacy when supporting breastfeeding dyads presenting with complex challenges such as food intolerances, gut dysbiosis, metabolic disorders, eczema, reflux and related issues.” - Intuitive Parenting Network – Jennifer Tow

  • Plugged Ducts & Mastitis: A Holistic Approach to Care - Intuitive Parenting Network – Jennifer Tow

  • Pumping and Feeding Gear - Babes in Common

  • Hands Off! The Virtual IBCLC: Effectively Support Breastfeeding Dyads Remotely - Intuitive Parenting Network – Jennifer Tow

  • TummyTime!™ Method Professional Certification Training – Michelle Emanuel

Stephanie Thorsen (Lactation Intern)

Years ago as a new mom, Stephanie met with a compassionate and knowledgeable IBCLC to address challenges related to feeding her baby. This encounter and subsequent support completely changed the trajectory of her breastfeeding journey and helped uncover her own passion for the field of lactation. Through these consultations, she received invaluable advice and encouragement that helped establish a healthy, positive breastfeeding relationship with her newborn daughter. 

Today, she hopes to empower other parents to discover effective strategies for feeding and caring for their babies. With a background as a Licensed Professional Counselor and an extensive history of international travel, Stephanie has developed a passion for providing personalized and quality care to each individual and family. She is very grateful to be completing her internship with Melissa and is eager to continue to grow, learn, and give back.

Stephanie has three active children and enjoys nature and being outside, especially in warm weather.

Ja’Niece Nelson

(Lactation Intern)

Ja'Niece.jpg

Ja’Niece a well-loved certified DONA labor doula, CAPPA postpartum doula, and a certified Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and is incredibly passionate about helping families have the absolute best labor, birth and postpartum experiences as they can.

She has spent her entire adult life being passionate about families and supporting families. She is a life-long learner and will be graduating in 2021 from Union Institution & University with her bachelors in Maternal Health and Human Lactation. 

Her journey into this life’s work began with her personal experience with caring for and breastfeeding her own 6 children. Being a mother and this amazing journey sparked her interest in this field and she knew that she was destined to provide support, education and empowerment for women and families.

Prior to becoming a doula she supported mothers and families with breastfeeding at Mile Square Health Center and also worked at Little Company of Mary Hospital as a breastfeeding peer counselor.  She also participated in the hospital’s breastfeeding support group and evening breastfeeding classes.

She worked as a labor doula, at Franciscan Health Center, in Crown Point, IN. She coached moms through labor and delivery. She is an active board member of Health Connect One, BELA (Birth Equity Leadership Academy). She is also an active board member of Chicago Regional Breastfeeding Task Force. She has done breastfeeding trainings, seminars, classes, webinars, and radio talks. 

Families describe Ja’Niece as being passionate, committed, knowledgeable, warm and an incredible support. When not supporting families she enjoys spending time with her own family.

UPDATE: Ja’Niece has achieved her 300 clinical lactation specific hours, has graduated from her program. Congrats Ja’Niece!

WHAT IS AN IBCLC?

“An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is the only internationally recognized health care professional who specializes in lactation care.” “As a clinical expert in the management of breastfeeding and human lactation, the IBCLC is trained to counsel mothers and families on initiation, exclusivity, and duration of breastfeeding, and to assist amidst any difficulties or high-risk situations. IBCLCs are sensitive to and support the needs of mothers, infants, children, and various family structures in working toward breastfeeding goals (IBLCE, 2003, 2008; ILCA, 2006).”