Upstate Lactation Collective

Home
United States
Albany, NY
Upstate Lactation Collective

Upstate Lactation Collective is a collaborative lactation and adjacent professionals

03/22/2026

Happy world doula week!

From steady presence in labor to gentle guidance in the early days, doula work doesn’t end in the moment. It ripples outward, shaping experiences, confidence, and connection for years to come. Through continuous support in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, doulas help families feel safe, informed, and empowered, all of which are closely linked to improved lactation outcomes and higher breastfeeding success rates. When parents feel supported, they are more likely to initiate breastfeeding, work through challenges, and reach their feeding goals.

We’re so grateful to recognize:
✨ Marina Angelicaola of
✨ Heather Wamsley of
✨ Chenique Boutelle of .i.bloom.lcsw
✨ Lawren Flynn of

As members of the Upstate Lactation Collective, their impact as doulas has reverberated throughout our community in the most meaningful ways. Their care helps lay the foundation for strong starts, confident parents, and healthier babies - at birth, the breast, and beyond.

Doulas are woven into the fabric of care, supporting families with compassion, wisdom, and presence. Today and every day, we honor the work you do and the lives you touch.

Want to show some love to the doulas above? Tag them and leave a few kind words to celebrate with us in the comments! 💛

03/18/2026

March is Social Work Awareness Month, and we’re so grateful to celebrate the incredible social workers who support families through some of life’s most tender transitions. At the Upstate Lactation Collective, we’re especially lucky to have Chen, whose work beautifully bridges lactation support, mental health, and compassionate advocacy for families.

Chen reminds us that social work is never just about the individual in front of us—it’s also about the systems shaping their lives:

“One thing I wish more people knew is that social work is as much about systems as it is about individuals. So much of the suffering people experience isn’t a personal failing—it’s the result of oppression, inadequate housing, healthcare, and support structures. Social workers sit at that intersection every day, advocating not just for the person in front of them, but for the broader conditions that shape people’s lives.”

In the perinatal space, Chen supports families through the vulnerable and often unspoken moments of new parenthood—birth trauma, feeding challenges, identity shifts, and complex family dynamics—while also holding space for the bigger questions about equity and access to care.

“At the heart of our profession are values like social justice, the dignity and worth of every person, and the power of human relationships. We show up for the individual in front of us and for the world around them.”

Lactation and mental health support are deeply connected, and Chen’s ability to hold both with such warmth and insight makes an immeasurable difference for the families she serves. The Upstate Lactation Collective—and our entire community—is so lucky to have her. 💛

03/04/2026

Today is International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Day 🤍

IBCLCs complete extensive clinical hours, continuing education, and board examination to support complex feeding challenges — and we are so grateful to have Cara at Upstate Lactation Collective serving families in our community.

Beyond the credential, it’s her heart, patience, and advocacy that make the greatest impact.

Thank you for the care you provide, Cara. Families are stronger because of you.

12/12/2025

Today, several members of the Upstate Lactation Collective joined the Capital Region Breastfeeding Coalition for an important training: “Impact of Traumatic Childbirth on Breastfeeding Experiences.” 💛

Becky from The Milk Mentor, Cara from Heirloom Lactation, Marissa from Milk & Honey Lactation, and Lawren from Birth & Baby LLC were all in attendance.

So many needed conversations were had surrounding the current birth climate and how trauma—both direct and indirectly—shapes breastfeeding experiences. We explored the power of relationships, connected with local practices, and brainstormed real solutions to support families more effectively.

We’re grateful for the chance to network, collaborate, and learn alongside such passionate professionals. Can’t wait to bring this knowledge back to our community. 💛✨

11/05/2025

✨ November at Upstate Lactation Collective ✨

We’ve got a full, heartwarming month ahead — here’s what’s coming up:

🌸 Moms for Moms – Nov 14 @ 5PM
An evening of tea, connection & celebration for moms 💛

🤱🏻 Fresh Start Feeding Class – Nov 15 @ 10–12
For second-time moms ready to approach feeding with fresh goals + support.

🥘 GYV (every Wednesday) Potluck – Nov 19
Bring a dish, drink, or dessert to share! (No group 11/26)

🍼 Walk-In Lactation Clinic – Nov 20 @ 10–12
Drop in with Marina for latch, pump, or bottle help — $10 suggested donation.

🌿 Rooted Together (Virtual) – Nov 20 @ 11–12
Connect + learn about the power of coregulation from home.

All events at 1820 Western Ave, Albany unless noted.
🔗 Register via links in bio!

11/01/2025

From our families to yours — we hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! 🎃

💛At the Upstate Lactation Collective, we’re laying some of our least favorite things to rest—like 24+ mm flanges, terrible sleep advice, and gaslighting.

💀RIP to myths, pain, and poor fits—and hello to making room for comfort, connection, and confidence.

10/30/2025

💛 Look at this incredible response! 💛

Thanks to our amazing community, we’ve collected 31 Spectra pumps to date. They will be refurbished and placed back into the hands of families who need them most. Each pump will be cleaned, sanitized, and outfitted with new equipment to be prepared for its next chapter supporting parents on their feeding journeys. ♻️✨

We’re so grateful to everyone who came out, spread the word, or donated — your generosity truly helps keep families supported and equipment out of landfills.

🌼 Stay tuned as we share updates from our refurbishment process and the impact these pumps will make in our community.

And don’t worry — we’re still accepting pump donations until further notice! If you have a Spectra S1 or S2 that you’d like to pass along, reach out anytime — we’d be happy to arrange a drop-off. 💕

10/08/2025

♻️ Pump It Forward! 💛

Got a used or unwanted Spectra S1 or S2 breast pump collecting dust? Bring it to our Pump It Forward Spectra Pump Drive on Wednesday, October 29th from 11 AM – 7 PM!

We’re refurbishing and rehoming pumps to help local families who need them most. 🙌
Your donation makes a real difference—and the first 20 donors will receive a special thank-you gift! 🎁

✨ Event details:
📅 Wednesday, October 29th
🕚 11 AM – 7 PM
📍 Upstate Lactation Collective, 1820 Western Ave Albany
💛 Spectra S1/S2 pumps only (any condition welcome!)

Let’s keep the love (and the milk!) flowing. 🍼💞

10/06/2025

💛 Registration is open for the Fall quarter “Fresh Start Feeding” class with

This class is for second time moms who would like to give breastfeeding another shot! Whether you had trouble meeting your breastfeeding goals the first (or second) time around, or just want to set new goals and move forward into your next feeding journey more support, this is the class for you. Open to moms who want to exclusively breastfeed, combo feed, or moms who aren’t sure yet!

Saturday, November 15th from 10-12pm at the Upstate Lactation Collective, 1820 Western Avenue Albany 12203

Register using this eventbrite link in our bio, and an insurance reimbursement form can be provided on the day of.

10/01/2025

🕸️October with ULC 🕷️

Here’s what’s happening this month in our community:

👶 Grow Your Village
Every Wednesday, 10 AM–12 PM (except Oct. 1 & 15).
Special Halloween edition 🎃 Oct. 29 — bring you and/or your little one in costume!

🍼 Walk-In Lactation Clinic
Every Thursday, 9–11 AM (except Oct. 2 with Marina)

💜 Special Event: Spectra Pump Drive
Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 11 AM–7 PM
Donate your used Spectra S1 or S2 pump for refurbishment & support other families. The first 20 drop-offs will receive a special thank-you gift!

We can’t wait to see you and your little ones this October as we grow, connect, and support each other. 🌿

09/27/2025

We’re putting together a raffle basket for a community event! 💜✨

Being present in our community is at the heart of what we do—because supporting families means showing up both inside and outside the lactation space. We love connecting, giving back, and being part of the village that lifts families up. 🧺🌿

➡️What would you want in a basket for your postpartum? Let us know in the comments! 👇🏻

Address

1820 Western Avenue
Albany, NY
12203

Website

http://Upstatelactationcollective.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Upstate Lactation Collective posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Upstate Lactation Collective:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Albany?