Sarah Lester

I'm a Fayetteville native with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from NCSU.  My husband was my high school sweetheart, and we have 3 sassy and spunky daughters together.

 

My first daughter was born at 34 weeks and spent 11 days in the NICU.  Breastfeeding was certainly not easy at first by any means, but we knew it was best so we pressed on.  Aubrey successfully nursed for 22 months and weaned when I was 6 weeks pregnant with my second.

 

My second daughter was born at 37 weeks and immediately presented with an upper lip tie and posterior tongue tie symptoms (and so did I - ouch!), which made breastfeeding a challenge until she had both released at 11 weeks of age.  Following her procedure, she skyrocketed in her percentiles and weaned at 33 months when I was 11 weeks pregnant with my third.  It was so nice to learn how fulfilling and beautiful breastfeeding can be and I look forward to sharing that love with my clients.

 

Lastly, I gave birth to my third little girl, and welcomed the challenges and successes that breastfeeding and pumping has brought.  She was diagnosed prenatally with a unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate, so once again, I expanded my horizons and learn more each day as I took on a new role as her mommy and being a mother to three girls.  I pumped with her for 3 years (to the day!) and she weaned from nighttime comfort nursing the mo

 

Breastfeeding and being a lactation consultant (IBCLC) are  passions of mine, and I have an innate love to help others breastfeed and/or pump as well.  Because of my girls' stories, I am able to relate to moms that have issues with breastfeeding their babies, and will create a care plan for each nursing baby so you too may learn the love of breastfeeding and breastmilk feeding.

 

I have a special interest in NICU and preterm babies, as well as tongue and lip restrictions - due to my personal experiences with ties, I have sought out specialized training in working with the tongue tied infant, to include TOTS, or Tethered Oral Tissue Specialty, the TummyTime! Method Advanced Certification, IBCLC Masterclass, Movement Moments, and more.

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I am constantly looking for ways to help our community support resources grow and thrive in the interest of breastfeeding.  In recognizing the need for better local support, I helped to create and implement the only laser tongue tie release program in our area and the first in the state.  Village Family Dental is committed to the full spectrum of care, and has me attend all procedures to assist with post treatment latching, aftercare, and support.  

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I am a part of the Class of 2018 Fayetteville's 40 Under 40 and I am the 2020 recipient of the US Lactation Consultant Association's President's Award.  I am the proud owner of LATCH Breastfeeding and Postpartum Wellness Center!