Tonja D. Carpenter, IBCLC, OMT, CIMI, PCD(DONA)
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Postpartum Certified Doula
Tonja is a graduate of Baylor University and served as a Breastfeeding Counselor with Breastfeeding USA for several years before becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She helped to run a local mother-to-mother weekly breastfeeding support group. Tonja is a Certified Myofunctional Therapist and specializes in working with infants with oral dysfunction and tethered oral tissues, which are also called tongue and lip ties. Furthermore, she is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. She teaches parents and caregivers the benefits of and proper techniques of the important skill of infant massage. Tonja has completed extensive training in orofacial myofunctional therapy. She is a highly skilled lactation consultant and provides clinical management of all lactation concerns for her patients. She is also a Postpartum Certified Doula with DONA International. She owns and manages Postpartum Doula Services of Waco, LLC and Lactation Services of Waco. Tonja is also trained in teaching infant massage to breastfeeding parents.
Tonja developed a passion for helping moms work toward their breastfeeding goals after being unable to meet her own, after the birth of her fourth child, due to many many overwhelming challenges. The care and support she received from the lactation consultant during that time inspired her to become one herself. Whether supporting new moms and their families during the postpartum trimester or helping moms work through the challenges that present themselves to the breastfeeding dyad, Tonja is well-equipped to serve the breastfeeding community here in Waco, TX.
Dara Johnson
LVN,PCD(DONA)
I have been living in the Waco, Tx area and McLennan County for most of my life. I have 3 grown children and 14 blessings as grandchildren. I completed my postpartum doula certification in 2022. It’s my passion and ambition to help parents transition smoothly into parenthood. My doula philosophy and driving force in n serving families can be summed up into one phrase: be NEAR: Nurture, Educate, Assist, and Refer. I firmly believe and live by these scriptures Ecclesiates 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hands findeth to
do. Do it with thy might.” and 1 Corinthians 13:13 nd now three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest is Love.” I love being a part of life changing experiences I truly believe that we are blessed to bless others help as many families as she can here in the Waco area.
Maria Tillinghast
RN, BSN, IBCLC
Maria is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She worked in a NICU as an RN for a number of years and consistently found herself assisting moms who needed help getting their premature infants to breastfeed. She became a Certified Breastfeeding Educator to improve her ability to provide assistance to mothers. She taught prenatal breastfeeding classes and worked with new mothers after delivering their children in the hospital. Even with that background, she experienced painful latches when breastfeeding her first child. The assistance of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant proved invaluable. She went on to successfully breastfeed her five children and furthered her education and training to become an IBCLC herself. She has worked with families in the hospital environment as an IBCLC in Colorado Springs and in Waco, but has now transitioned to working with them in the outpatient setting.
She loves to problem-solve with families to improve their infants’ ability to breastfeed. She understands that difficulties can arise on either the mom’s side or the baby’s side. The breastfeeding pair can face challenges from low milk supply, incisional pain from cesarean birth, or nipple pain caused by positioning or infant issues. Your goals are what are important to her. She looks forward to meeting you!
