Alicia M. Aviles-Corey, IBCLC, CMA
Owner
I’m an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) located outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (North Carolina). Although I am originally a native of South Dakota, I consider myself a “Carolina Girl” these days. My love for all things breastfeeding-related began in 2012 while I was still an Active Duty Marine Corps Staff Sergeant. I had just given birth to my first son and struggled daily with supply issues, breastfeeding pain, and post-partum anxiety.
Upon exiting the Marine Corps to be able to stay home with my son, I began schooling to start towards the pathway of becoming an IBCLC. While pregnant with my second son, I was hired on as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor with the Onslow County WIC program. While this position was incredibly insightful and invaluable, it also served as an internship that met the requirements for my application to become an IBCLC. During this time, I gave birth to my second son at 33 weeks and suffered post-partum depression. After a 19-month internship and completion of my degree in Early Childhood Development (AA), I passed my IBCLC exam in 2016. I immediately opened my own practice and have been enjoying serving the community ever since. In 2020, I decided I wanted to be more involved in the birth and post-partum process than just offering breastfeeding support. I have taken the DONA Post-Partum Doula training course, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator’s (LCCE) course and Clinical Medical Assistant’s course. I am trained in the therapeutic TummyTime! Method and am an IBCLC Master Class graduate (trained for oral rehabilitation and optimizing gut health).
My own personal experiences and areas of expertise include working/pumping parents, single/military parents, post-partum mood disorders, premature infants, tandem and extended nursing, weaning, and returning baby to breast after bottle/tube feeding, oral tethering issues and traumatic births. My professional goals include meeting every parent where they are at in life while helping them to meet and manage their own personal goals, developing a county tonuge-tie team/program and opening a breastfeeding medicine clinic that can meet the needs of both clients, providers and aspiring providers. I also believe it is imperative to broaden the inclusivity and acceptance of diverse families throughout the community and to help new parents to feel seen and heard.
I reside in Jacksonville, North Carolina with my husband, two sons and stepdaughter and our four dogs. When not providing breastfeeding support, I can be found studying, working as a part time Medical Assistant at the wonderful Kell Medical family practice, training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (currently a purple belt), coaching my boys’ baseball teams, running them to and from swim team, cooking, and gardening.
There is truly nothing I want more than to be of service to my fellow human-beings.
Personal Assistant
Kamisha M. Walker, BSW, IBCLC Exam Candidate
My name is Kamisha M. Walker and I am a Jacksonville, NC native. I am a mother of 3 girls- a set of twins, and a singleton. Currently, I am a graduate student at Union Institute and University, working on a Master of Arts degree in Human Lactation Studies. My anticipated graduation date is Fall 2022. After I complete my studies and internship at Bosom Babies Lactation, I plan to sit for the IBCLE exam to become a Board-Certified Lactation Consultant.
Previously, I worked in the mental health field for nearly 7 years and in 2013 I received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the illustrious North Carolina Central University, located in Durham, NC (Go Eagles!). I am currently a committee member for the Onslow County Juneteenth Festival, and Co-Leader for the newly revived Chocolate Milk Club for Onslow County.
I have been motivated to study Human Lactation because of my breastfeeding journey. Though I was unable to breastfeed my eldest daughter, I was determined to breastfeed my twins. The IBCLC that assisted me in the NICU after giving birth to my twins was an inspiration to me. While researching various professions in the lactation field I learned of the racial inconsistency in lactation professionals and wondered if the lack of diversity in the field contributes to the disproportionate number of women of color that choose to breastfeed. Because of the statistics, one of my goals is to assist with reducing the racial disparities in breastfeeding and encourage more women of color to become IBCLC’s.
Intern
Terra Rohn, Pathway 2 Candidate (IBLCE)
My name is Terra Rohn. I currently live on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune; North Carolina and I have been a Marine Corps spouse for 21 years. I hold an Associates in Arts Degree and an Arizona General Education Curriculum Certification -A from Scottsdale Community College. Previously, I have been a Certified Nursing Assistant, a Dental Assistant, a Chiropractor Assistant, and a Phlebotomist. I also hold certifications in HIV education, CPR- Level C, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Hazard Communications. I am currently enrolled in Union Institute and University seeking a bachelor’s in science with a focus in Maternal Child Health. My goal is to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. I want to be able to use all of the experience I have gained from these credentials, combined with being a mother of two while living and working abroad, to make a positive impact through lactation consulting within the local community. I want to help others reach their goals and I believe in the positive impact supporting breastfeeding families makes. While living in Geneva, Switzerland I volunteered at both the United States Mission to the United Nations and also the World Health Organization. I directly aided the Community Liaison Office by contributing to the welcome aboard briefs, new join orientations and assisting the needs of American families arriving to the area. While living in Lagos, Nigeria I provided support to the United States Consulate health office by coordinating and participating in a fitness initiatives and health classes. In my free time, I hand crochet toys and donate them to children that are experiencing a health crisis to help comfort them while staying in hospitals. Most recently, I have joined the Onslow Breastfeeding Coalition in Jacksonville, NC and participated in coordinating the Big Latch Event for 2021.
Office Manager & Intern
Nina Roque, Pathway 3 IBCLC Candidate
Hello! My name is Nina. I am a military spouse and a mama to one amazing little boy with another baby on the way! Our family is currently stationed here in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I believe my interest in the journey to becoming an IBCLC was sparked with becoming a mother myself. My husband deployed when our son was just a couple months old, leaving me to figure out the highs and lows of postpartum, breastfeeding, and being a first time mama, all on my own. Looking back, there are countless times I wish I would’ve reached out for the help I desperately needed. This experience has brought me to my present path to becoming an IBCLC. I am so excited to have the chance to help mamas thrive in their new journey of motherhood in any way I can and eager to see what the future holds!
Spanish-language Translator
Esther Laureano, Birth Doula & Breastfeeding Advocate
My name is Esther M. Laureano. I am 37 years old and was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I found myself passionate about birth and breastfeeding when my mom had my little sister. As I was 12 years old at the time, I helped her with everything I was able to do. My mom was my motivation to be a better version of myself. She showed me that no matter the imperfections we see in ourself as a mom, we are amazingly made and our bodies can do extraordinary things.
Although I am a full-time cosmetologist, that wasn’t enough to fulfill my soul. For this reason, when I lived in Puerto Rico, my free time went to studying to be a doula and volunteering to help moms in need. After receiving education in breastfeeding, I was able to help many moms endure their own breastfeeding journey. I have 3 beautiful children: a 13 year old daughter whom I was able to breastfeed for 4 years, a 2 year old son I was able to breastfeed for 8 months old and a newborn that I’m currently breastfeeding. Every journey of breastfeeding is different and unique. I’m more than happy to work as a translator for Alicia and support the local mothers in any way I can.