Reserve your private appointment today!
Appointments are offered at no-cost to Kansas families. We offer in-person care in Wichita and virtual appointments statewide.
Meet our team…
Gwen
RN/BSN, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Sapphire
Certified Lactation Educator, Lactation Counselor, Certified Doula
Tamara
Certified Lactation Specialist, Certified Doula
Gwen- RN/BSN, IBCLC
Gwen is the clinic supervisor at the Milky Way Lactation Lounge. She is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and serves as the primary mentor for our IBCLC candidates, who are completing clinical lactation training. Most recently she worked as Kansas High 5 for Mom & Baby Program Coordinator for 10 years, traveling our state assisting hospitals to implement best maternity care practices that improve lactation outcomes. She has over 30 years experience in various areas of lactation care including hospital care, the NICU baby, private practice, private lactation clinic and research. She is one of the founders of the Lactation Program at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She is active with the Wichita Area Breastfeeding Coalition. Gwen is married to her husband, Jim, and mother of 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Sapphire- BS, CLE, CpD
Sapphire is the founder/Executive Director of the Kansas Birth Justice Society and operates the Matrescence Center & Milky Way Lactation Lounge. Sapphire has been supporting families since 2013 and is a highly experienced certified lactation educator, certified lactation consultant, certified doula, and childbirth educator. She has been providing lactation support throughout the state of Kansas since 2017 and is currently apprenticing under Gwen Whittit to earn the “gold standard” IBCLC credential. She specializes in providing care to families of color as well as individuals who are non-binary, and is delighted to assist you in your lactation journey.
Tamara Payne, CLC
Tamara is a certified doula and aspiring lactation professional. She is currently a lactation student, completing her clinical training at the Milky Way Lactation Clinic. Tamara was inspired to enter the lactation field after a successful breastfeeding journey with her daughter. She is excited to serve families and be of assistance in your lactation journey!