“I believe that when a mom and baby are struggling, whether it be with feeding, sleeping, colic, reflux or other issues, it is important to look at the whole picture to find the root cause of the problem. You can treat symptoms all day long, but as your baby grows, they will just develop into new symptoms. If you don’t find the root cause, you will always be chasing a new treatment.”
Suzanne began her career as a Breastfeeding Educator and founded Merry-Go-Round in Kingwood in 2003. Merry-Go-Round quickly became known as the go-to resource for new parents in the area as it provided everything from private lactation consultations to breast pump rentals to hosting a weekly breastfeeding support group. While in private practice, Suzanne provided lactation support to numerous local mothers in the North Houston area and became known for her expertise in handling complex breastfeeding issues. In 2010, she received the Family Time Woman of Achievement in Business Award, recognizing the contributions that her business had made to the community.
In 2014, Suzanne transitioned from private practice to working for The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. While working at the hospital, Suzanne not only provided lactation support to mothers in the early postpartum period, but was instrumental in helping the hospital become the first Baby-Friendly (BFHI) designated hospital in the Houston area. A hospital can only receive the BFHI designation when they implement specific practices that have been shown to support successful breastfeeding.
In 2015, she was approached by Dr. James Liu at Adult and ENT & Allergy of The Woodlands to establish a lactation practice in his office to provide support for parents and the babies being seen in his office for lip and tongue ties. In her role at the practice, she wrote the infant frenectomy discharge guide, established procedures and protocols for the infant frenectomy procedure, and recruited and trained other lactation consultants for the practice.
In 2016, Suzanne returned to Private Practice, this time with Tessa Gardin, IBCLC, founding Bayou City Breastfeeding to provide in-home lactation consultations to mothers in central and north Houston. Since that time, the practice has grown, and now has two office locations and has expanded to include several other IBCLCs.
Over her lactation career, Suzanne has continued to pursue additional lactation training and certifications, becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor in 2006 and eventually an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2016. She continues to pursue advanced lactation training to further her knowledge by taking classes and attending conferences. She is a member of ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association), USLCA (United States Lactation Consultant Association), the American Laser Study Club, and IATP (International Association of Tongue tie Professionals). She also serves as co-Vice President of HALCEA (Houston Area Lactation Consultant and Educator Association).
Suzanne and her husband have been married 20 years, and together have three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, is an avid runner and enjoys working out, reading, biking, cooking and painting.
