About
Us

My team and I are eager to help you and your family along your feeding journey with your baby!

Hi,I'm Shelly Taft

I’m a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Doula, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Based in Worcester County, MA, I’ve been supporting new families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 2007.

Every parent is different, so I don’t believe in a cookie-cutter approach to lactation help. I will work with you to develop a breastfeeding plan that works for your life and your family.

I’m usually available on short notice, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. After all, babies don’t check the calendar!

When I’m not doing home visits for breastfeeding help, I work as a lactation consultant at UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester. You can also find me teaching childbirth, breastfeeding, and TummyTime! classes at various hospitals and sites in Worcester County, MA

I've supported more than a thousand families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and I’d be honored to help you, too.

What People Say

Hi,I'm Maria Peddy

I am thrilled to join Shelly's practice, ST Lactation Services, LLC! For the past 5 years, I have been a practicing Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) at UMass Memorial Hospital and recently passed the exam to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). In earning my certification, I hoped to expand my reach and help more families as they work towards their feeding goals.

When I was a new mother, I struggled to find adequate lactation support and I thought, there has to be a better way to support struggling families. This led me to pursue my education in lactation. I was grateful to be able to use my newly-acquired knowledge in a hospital maternity setting. Confident that I had all the education and experience I needed to help every new parent breastfeed successfully, I set into my new role with enthusiasm, only to be faced with a new reality. It’s been a humbling experience, to say the least, as I’ve learned not every family has the same feeding goals and not every challenge can be solved through “the basics”. 

I strive to understand and respect each family's unique needs and dynamics to support them in their feeding goals. I’ve come to learn that this doesn’t always look like the peaceful pictures you see on the internet and often times comes with a lot of hard work and determination. My goal is to always listen, to support each individual in their needs, and to be by a family's side if the feeding goals evolve from what they first envisioned.

When I’m not working with families I’m usually getting dirty somewhere - either in my garden or in my pottery studio. “I can’t wait” often sounds like a platitude these days, but I am thoroughly passionate about my work and truly can’t wait to help the families with which I will work work towards their feeding goals.

I am dedicated providing the best level of care to the families with which I work.

I am also deeply dedicated to doing my part to help train highly-qualified IBCLCs so they feel prepared and so that future families continue to have access to lactation professionals.

Meet my current mentees!

Looking for help with breastfeeding?
You’ve come to the right place!

Hi,I'm Rebecca Andrews

I am a registered nurse and certified lactation counselor (CLC). I joined Shelly's team as an intern as I work to obtain clinical hours to sit for my lactation consultant board exam. I enjoy learning from Shelly as she offers a more comprehensive approach to your family's needs. I appreciate that your family has unique needs and feeding goals and I hope to help you meet your desired feeding plan.
My interest in breastfeeding stems from my desire to help families in what may be a very stressful situation. As someone who was once struggling to breastfeed my own children, I understand how important it is to have a calm, knowledgeable and empathetic person in your support system. While I continue to learn the intricacies of breastfeeding, I aim to offer you all the individualized support you need.

 

When I am not in the office with Shelly, I work as a lactation counselor at UMass Memorial and an ICU RN, also at UMass. Other than that, I enjoy spending time with my two children, my husband, and our dog. My other interests include quilting and hiking.

 

Thank you for letting me be a part of your support system!”

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