My Journey
You are not alone.
Hi, I’m Malia Jaynes.
With my first two babies, Elsie and Emmett, I was not an infant feeding therapist or lactation consultant. We had many struggles and challenges that drove me into this line of work. Tongue and lip ties, low weight gain, painful latch, chronic plugged ducts, etc. While I wish I didn’t have to go through those challenges, I’m kind of glad I did. I would not be here if it weren’t for my journey with my first two.
After all of my feeding challenges with those two, I was inspired to help other parents. I dedicated myself to continuing my education to become an infant feeding specialist. In addition to my Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology, I am a Certified Lactation Specialist, have Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training (TOTS), have advanced training in therapy techniques for pre & post frenectomy, and Cranial Sacral Therapy training, as well as Tummy Time! Method. You could say I love learning!
When my third baby, Adalie, arrived, I thought we would have smooth sailing. I had my own lactation consultant lined up and ready to go. I had hundreds of continuing education hours about lactation, infant feeding, and bodywork, and I had helped numerous families address their feeding challenges. I assumed my third baby would be the best and easiest feeding journey out of my three. However, I was wrong. Very wrong.
My journey with Adalie included low weight gain, latching difficulties, bottle refusal, exclusively pumping, and multiple food allergies. We found our way through, but it was not an easy or enjoyable experience for several months. I know what it is like to be in those incredibly difficult, seemingly impossible, and quite dark times during feeding difficulties -I was there myself. I would not wish that on anyone. When you work with me, you can be assured that I am not just another professional with head knowledge and book smarts. I am a parent who has lived this myself.
I learned what classes can’t teach you- empathy and compassion in the midst of feeding challenges.
"I had a wonderful experience working with Malia.
She worked well with my infant daughter and helped her learn to take a bottle, and had great tips for motor development activities."
What does it look like?
Learn more about what it means to work with me and get you on the path to meeting your personal feeding goals.