FVBC's Mission Statement:
The mission of the Flathead Valley Breastfeeding Coalition is to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in the Flathead Valley community.
We are currently looking for a new fiscal sponsor. The Nurturing Center has graciously been our fiscal sponsor since we began in 2011.
The mission of the Flathead Valley Breastfeeding Coalition is to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in the Flathead Valley community.
We are currently looking for a new fiscal sponsor. The Nurturing Center has graciously been our fiscal sponsor since we began in 2011.
Who we are:
We are made up of a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds not only in the medical field (including nurses, hospital staff, and pediatric therapists) but also in the more broad community setting (WIC staff, community outreach staff, and mothers). We have come together with a common goal of supporting mothers and babies on their breastfeeding journey. All members volunteer their time to be a part of this coalition.
Some of us have struggled with our own breastfeeding experience, which spurred us to find a way to help others overcome similar challenges. Others have been providing guidance and support to new mothers in the Flathead Valley for many years. One thing is clear...we love helping parents and babies connect and thrive through breastfeeding.
Some of us have struggled with our own breastfeeding experience, which spurred us to find a way to help others overcome similar challenges. Others have been providing guidance and support to new mothers in the Flathead Valley for many years. One thing is clear...we love helping parents and babies connect and thrive through breastfeeding.
GET TO KNOW OUR MEMBERS
Kimberly DeVries, RN, CLC
Kimberly is a registered nurse, certified lactation counselor (CLC), craniosacral fascial therapist, and former birth/labor & postpartum doula. Kimberly has been volunteering with the FVBC since 2017 as a Baby Bistro facilitator, became Secretary, then Vice President, and now President.
Kimberly's nursing experience is well-rounded. She worked in numerous areas of Logan Health Medical Center as a resource nurse (including postpartum) and as a home hospice nurse. She currently works at Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center offering lactation/breastfeeding consultations, craniosacral fascial therapy, and heads their Beyond the Brain- Baby program, which works with babies to meet their developmental milestones and primitive reflexes.
Kimberly is a proud mama of one. Her struggle to breastfeed her daughter the first few months of her life and night-weaning later on inspired her to become a CLC and help others. She loves educating & empowering people and believes in a holistic approach to care. Kimberly feels that breastfeeding is an important public health issue and is a passionate advocate for others.
Kimberly's nursing experience is well-rounded. She worked in numerous areas of Logan Health Medical Center as a resource nurse (including postpartum) and as a home hospice nurse. She currently works at Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center offering lactation/breastfeeding consultations, craniosacral fascial therapy, and heads their Beyond the Brain- Baby program, which works with babies to meet their developmental milestones and primitive reflexes.
Kimberly is a proud mama of one. Her struggle to breastfeed her daughter the first few months of her life and night-weaning later on inspired her to become a CLC and help others. She loves educating & empowering people and believes in a holistic approach to care. Kimberly feels that breastfeeding is an important public health issue and is a passionate advocate for others.
Sandra Beale, RN, IBCLC
Sandra is a registered nurse currently working at the LH Whitefish Birth Center which is Baby Friendly designated facility. She works as a postpartum nurse, lactation consultant, childbirth class instructor, prenatal breastfeeding class instructor, lactation support group facilitator, and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative coordinator. Sandra has been an active member of the FVBC for several years and was the president for 5 of those years.
Sandra is a mom of 2 herself! She had 2 different breastfeeding experiences and challenges with each of them. Her own experience has given her a genuine and personal interest in offering lactation support.
Sandra is a mom of 2 herself! She had 2 different breastfeeding experiences and challenges with each of them. Her own experience has given her a genuine and personal interest in offering lactation support.
Robyn Allen- RN, CLC. Logan Health - Whitefish Birth Center
Megan Dagle, DPT, CLC. First Point Physical Therapy
Jessica Detlor, RN, IBCLC. Logan Health - Whitefish Birth Center
Jessica is a lactation consultant and postpartum RN at the LHW Birth Center. She teaches prenatal childbirth classes and breastfeeding class. She is also one of our amazing Baby Bistro facilitators!
Jessica is a mother of 3 and loves this community. She is passionate about helping families nourish their babies and thrive postpartum!
Jessica is a mother of 3 and loves this community. She is passionate about helping families nourish their babies and thrive postpartum!
Ginger Duchesne, RN, IBCLC. Logan Health Medical Center’s Mom/Baby Clinic
Cayla Erslev, RN, CLC. Logan Health - Whitefish Birth Center
Kristen Fortier- birth doula and photographer. New Moon Birth Doula and Photography
Kristen is a mama to two beautiful kiddos who were both breastfed into toddlerhood. Breastfeeding did not come easy, especially the first time around. With low supply and a baby with jaundice, there were many challenges in the beginning. Working with an IBCLC in those first weeks and spending many hours going to local breastfeeding support groups in San Francisco during this time, she was able to continue on in her breastfeeding journey and even had opportunities to donate milk to mothers in need her second time around. She is passionate about supporting all parents in their feeding journeys here in the Flathead Valley and loves being a member of FVBC.
Jade Gibson- postpartum doula. Strong Roots Doula
Jen Mahlum, CLC. Peer Breastfeeding Counselor - WIC
Rae Trant WIC
Dr. Keltie Warren, DC. Thrive Chiropractic
Tracy Wills, RN, IBCLC. Logan Health Medical Center’s Mom/Baby Clinic.
How Can You Help?
Are you interested in volunteering as a member or being on our board? Are you wondering how you might be able to help?
One of the most common misconceptions we hear is, "I'm not nursing anymore, so I don't really think I can help." Most of us are not currently nursing a child. We have people of all ages with a wide variety of breastfeeding experience. If you are passionate about supporting breastfeeding, we are always interested in talking with you more about how your interests and skills might best be applied.
Visit the Contact Us tab!
One of the most common misconceptions we hear is, "I'm not nursing anymore, so I don't really think I can help." Most of us are not currently nursing a child. We have people of all ages with a wide variety of breastfeeding experience. If you are passionate about supporting breastfeeding, we are always interested in talking with you more about how your interests and skills might best be applied.
Visit the Contact Us tab!