Our practice is staffed by medical providers and lactation consultants who are experts in infant feeding and breastfeeding concerns.
Our staff will work with you, your infant/toddler and family to create a comprehensive plan to help you achieve your feeding goals.
Lactation Consultation & Support In Connecticut
Our clinicians are highly skilled in working with families in managing infants or mothers with medical complications such as:
- Infant weight gain concerns
- Infants with tongue tie and other oral restrictions
- Milk production concerns (both too much and not enough)
- Breastfeeding difficulties including latching & positioning sore and/or cracked nipples breast pain plugged ducts mastitis
Our clinicians also have expertise in:
- Prenatal preparation for breastfeeding
- Feeding multiples
- Difficult to bottle feed babies
- Navigating a back to work plan
- Breast pumping concerns
- Weaning from breastfeeding or pumping
- Medication use during lactation
About Us
Our team, composed of medical professionals and lactation specialists with a deep understanding of infant nutrition and breastfeeding issues, is at your service.
Sue Iwinski, IBCLC
Sue has been honored to learn for - and from - thousands of mothers and babies while helping them find their way to an enjoyable relationship, despite any number of temporary challenges, during their breastfeeding/chestfeeding journey. Her skills were honed at Breastfeeding Resources (aka Dr.Smillie's), CT's premier breastfeeding medicine practice, as an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) from 2000-2021, often assisting those with complex cases. A foundation in group, communication and professional liaison skills for challenging circumstances began while serving as an accredited volunteer with La Leche League of CT (since 1995). Before that, relocating to CT to attend Quinnipiac College and later working as a Veterinary Technician, it was the experiences of nursing her children that inspired her to learn how to provide empowering and effective support for breastfeeding/chestfeeding families. No matter what your personal parenting and feeding goals are for your unique family, it is her pleasure to guide you towards them in a nurturing and respectful environment, just as you provide that for your baby or child.
Carolyn Levy, DNP, APRN, IBCLC
Carolyn Levy is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and lactation consultant who joined Children’s Medical Group in 2021. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southern Connecticut State University, graduate degree from Stonybrook University and Doctor of Nursing Practice. Carolyn’s devotion to pediatrics and lactation is evident in the way she thoughtfully coordinates individualized care for each family, developing and working towards mutual goals at each visit.
Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Carolyn served in the United States Coast Guard. After her service she worked as a registered nurse for 14 years, much of this time at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital where she worked in-patient obstetrics, pediatrics and as the coordinator of the childbirth education program. She also spent several of her registered nurse years as a school and camp nurse.
Carolyn is a lifelong learner and avid volunteer, always seeking new ways to help children and families in her community and beyond.
Carolyn also loves relaxing with her husband and two boys, hiking, gardening, snow skiing and listening to podcasts.
Liza Goldman Huertas, MD
Liza Goldman Huertas, MD, IBCLC is a board certified family physician and lactation consultant. Dr. Goldman Huertas received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Brown University, her MD degree from Yale University School of Medicine, and completed her Family Medicine training in the Residency Program in Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. She worked for nearly 3 years at the Fair Haven Community Health Center in New Haven, CT with a medically complex, underserved patient population, ages newborn to centenarian, and was one of the founding staff of a satellite focused on maternal and child health. She was mentored in breastfeeding medicine by Dr. Christina Smillie, Sue Iwinski, IBCLC, and other providers and IBCLCs at Breastfeeding Resources in Stratford, CT, where she worked from 2018-2022.
Dr. Goldman Huertas has long-standing interests in maternal and child health, Latino health, health disparities, and mental health and addiction treatment. She is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She lives with her husband and two sons; a niece and nephew, now young adults, have also been an important part of their family. She is a member of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), a founding member of the board of Medicare for All-Connecticut, and a volunteer with Babywearing Connecticut. She is passionate about supporting breastfeeding and improving fourth trimester care and feels privileged to be able to do this work at CMG.
Marissa Mesiya, MSN, APRN
Marissa is a board certified nurse practitioner and an international board certified lactation consultant. She is also a member of several professional organizations including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners; Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing; and Psi Chi International, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
She has been interested in the healthcare field from an early age working as an emergency medical technician while still in high school, and as a postpartum doula before graduating from nursing school. Marissa graduated from Fairfield University with her bachelors degree in 2008, then with her masters of science in nursing in 2011.
Marissa began her nursing career in maternal fetal medicine and general pediatrics before pursuing her lactation consultant certification. She was lucky enough to learn from, and then work alongside, Dr. Tina Smillie and her esteemed colleagues at Breastfeeding Resources.
As a lactation consultant and nurse practitioner, Marissa feels honored to work with new and growing families as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Marissa loves all things Disney, partly because of her three young daughters. She also enjoys cooking, crafting, running and spending time outdoors with her family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need over the phone support now?
Call our lactation consultants at 203-672-4747. A caregiver will answer if available. If not, please leave a message, and we’ll return your call by the next day.
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
- Please ask your child's pediatrician to send us a copy of the most recent visit and/or growth charts before the visit.
- Expect about 1.5-2 hrs. total appt. time for a detailed consultation including history and exams for both you and your baby/babies.
- You will receive 2 different links for 2 different check-ins on your phone for 2 different patients (you and baby).
- Plan to arrive at the earliest time given for your two appointments.
- Please bring:
- Whatever you're currently using for baby's feeds (Ex: expressed milk, formula, bottle).
- Water and possibly a snack.
- Your pump if any questions about use, comfort, or fit.
- Any current medications you or baby need to take/use during appt.
- Your partner or other support person is welcome per your preference
What can I expect at a typical appointment?
Most breastfeeding/chestfeeding challenges involve both the mother/lactating parent and the baby/child and we will be seeing both of you during the visit (occasionally your baby/child doesn't need to be present, call if you're unsure and a provider will get back to you).Plan on your visit taking at least 1.5 hrs (first visits possibly longer, follow ups possibly shorter).During this visit time, our team will:
- Review the medical history for both you and your child
- Find out what your and baby's current challenges are
- Ask you what your goals are for you and baby
- Do specific exams of each of you – usually including observing a breastfeeding session with infant weight taken before and afterward
- Design or update your individualized plan with you and give (and/or send) you handouts that will help you address any issues and begin your journey toward your goals
- Arrange to follow up with you, as needed.
We want both you and your baby to have a healthy and enjoyable breastfeeding experience!
How can I get a breast pump?
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, if you are returning to work or school or are having breastfeeding difficulties, insurance companies may provide you with a breast pump. This is based on your individual insurance contract and current deductible guidelines. Be sure to check with your insurance company about your coverage. Learn more.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
As medical providers and lactation consultants, we have taken an oath to “Treat all clients equitably without regard to ability/disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, sex, ethnicity, race, national origin, political persuasion, marital status, geographic location, religion, socioeconomic status, age, within the legal framework of the respective geo-political region or setting” (IBCLC Code of Professional Conduct).
Breastfeeding Medicine of Connecticut welcomes people from all walks of life. We are an inclusive practice whose main focus is to help you and your family achieve your feeding goals. Families come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties whether chosen or biologically related.
We embrace the differences that make a person unique and special.
We respect the choices that you make as a family.
We foster an environment where you feel safe, heard, and supported.
We are committed to creating and maintaining a practice that embraces diversity in all forms: race, color, age, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, mental and physical abilities, and any other individual characteristics that make you, you!
By opening our minds and hearts to all, we have the ability to learn from you. Listening and learning from each other, we are working together to make positive, impactful changes thus leaving this world a better place for our children and their children.
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