About Our Guest Speaker & Location:
Meghan Cheek, RD, CDN, Doula
Meghan is a trained birth and postpartum doula who was called to birth work after her own transformational birth and postpartum experiences. Meghan began her career in the nutrition field, completing her Bachelor of Science and Dietetic Internship at Long Island University. Once she became a mother and witnessed the lack of support that families experience, particularly in the postpartum period, Meghan decided to pursue her passion to support families as they navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. Meghan now attends births and offers postpartum services, including overnight care. She believes that every birth is not just the birth of a baby, but the birth of a mother and new family. Meghan enjoys providing reassurance and support and watching parents tap into their own power to thrive as confident caregivers. She also incorporates her knowledge of nutrition to facilitate a nourishing pregnancy and postpartum recovery. She is thrilled to be co-hosting the Grow Your Village parent support group at the Upstate Lactation Collective, every Wednesday from 10am-12pm. Learn more at https://www.thedouladietitian.com Follow her on Instagram
Lawren Masters, SBD, PCD(DONA)— Birth, Bereavement & Postpartum doula & owner of Birth and Baby, LLC.
My name is Lawren Masters and I am the founder of Birth and Baby LLC. I have over 3 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and their families as an Early Childhood Educator, I have hundreds of hours in early childhood development training, and I have an additional 2+ years working as a birth doula. I am currently in pursuit of my Bachelors in Nursing. I have helped and held many families as they navigated their reproductive and parenting journeys. I look forward to growing with you. Learn more at https://birthandbaby.org/ Follow her on Instagram
About the Space: Upstate Lactation Collective
We are a cooperative of small women owned businesses who are professionals in lactation or lactation adjacent fields. We share an office space in Albany, NY that is right on the bus-line. We offer individual consultations, group classes, workshops and support groups for growing families and professionals alike. Here at the Upstate Lactation Collective we believe in collaboration over competition. We believe we are better together.
Who we are (in order of appearance) :
Marina Angelicola, Certified Lactation Counselor, Doula and owner of Mama Marina Birth. @mama_marina_birthservices
Dominique Spagnola, Certified Lactation Counselor, Doula and owner of Dom the Doula. @dom_the_doula
Marissa Palmer, Certified Lactation Counselor and owner of Milk and Honey Lactation, NY. @milkhoneylactationny
Lawren Masters, Birth, Bereavement & Postpartum doula and owner of Birth and Baby, LLC. @birthandbabyllc
Cara Banks, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and owner of Heirloom Lactation. @heirloomlactation
Heather Wamsley, Licensed Massage Therapist and Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist. @handcraft_massage
Rebecca LaBombard, MSED, Certified Lactation Counselor. Founder of the Upstate Lactation Collective and owner of The Milk Mentor. @themilkmentor
Follow us as our offerings grow and expand. We’ll be posting our logo and calendar of events soon!
As a mom, you might put everyone else’s needs first. We prioritize mental health and want to provide a space where moms can feel connected with others who GETS it.
Wherever you are on your motherhood journey, you are welcomed! We weren’t meant to do this alone–moms need help, support, and community. Find community, feel supported, and know that you are NOT alone!
Hosted by our founder and CEO, Tatiana who is a new mom.We want to focus specifically on mother’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
Your children (of any age) are welcome to join, as long as you feel comfortable. Feel free to bring any toys, blankets, or snacks if you feel you and your kiddo(s) will be more comfortable. When you register, include your child(ren) in the # of participants along with yourself so we know how many people are actually attending.
This is a free maternal mental health advocacy program for local mothers that are struggling with postpartum depression, lack of community support and accessible resources called Empowered Mothers. This program offers in person and virtual support to help you connect with other moms while navigating your new role. The objective of the Empowered Mothers program is to help all mothers with mental and emotional resources and support to increase mothers’ sense of belonging, self-esteem, safety, and overall confidence in the way they parent their children.
This meet-up will be meeting 2x a month at different locations to better support moms and women throughout the Capital Region. Please email us noteworthyresourcesalbany@gmail.com for any questions, be a guest speaker, be a location/spot our meet-up is scheduled at, or have any suggestions.
If you attended one of our Casual Moms Meet-ups, please complete the Attendance Survey by clicking HERE. Your attendance information is for internal use only, HIPAA compliant, and helps Noteworthy Resources' Empowered Mothers program get community funding.
If you would like to join our Casual Moms Instagram group chat to share content, resources, and stay connected click HERE!