About Us

Melissa Schiff, IBCLC, RLC, CST

OWNER OF MAKANA BRESTFEEDING

ADVANCED LACTATION CONSULTANT

International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC)

Craniosacral Therapist (CST)

9 years’ experience leading a mother-to-mother support group through La Leche League, 10 years IBCLC in Private Practice serving families.   

When you work with me, your working with an experienced breastfeeding mom. I struggled with my own breastfeeding problems. With my first, we had just moved to a new state and didn’t know anyone. I really struggled with being a new mom, not knowing if what I was going through was normal. I had zero example of breastfeeding in my family and I was literally trying to survive with a very high needs baby who gained weight slowly and nursed every hour.  I was on Dr. Google all the time. I was exhausted, but VERY determined to make breastfeeding work!

It was when I went to my first breastfeeding support group that I realized what I was going through was normal. I learned to trust my instincts and to seek professional breastfeeding help and support from an IBCLC.

With my second baby, I felt more confident. Breastfeeding got off to a much better start, but after about two weeks, my sweet baby boy was suffering with skin rashes, itchy eyes, and sneezing. I once again needed help. My IBCLC and I figured out the culprit, he cleared up and we got to a point where breastfeeding was actually easy.  I nursed each of my kids for over two years when they weaned themselves.

I am a life long 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. I’m an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) giving me an in-depth clinical knowledge of all things breastfeeding. I have been in private practice since 2013. My current passion in supporting babies has lead me into a deep dive learning about anatomy and physiology, the myofascial system, and addressing tension and oral dysfunction. I am currently in Massage Therapy School and have completed many hours and levels of Craniosacral Therapy (CST) instruction with a specific focus on infants. I am now offering CST in my practice!

Melissa’s Advanced Lactation Training / Continuing Education:

In addition to the IBCLC 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Completing and becoming fully certified in Infant Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Level 4 in April 2024! - Beames CST Training Center

  • Currently working through Massage Therapy School – looking to be completed by Sept 2024

  • 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 – 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 two active children and enjoys nature and being outside, especially in warm weather.

Ja’Niece Nelson (Lactation Intern)

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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).”