Lactation Services

Katie Kenoe and Theresa Avella provide outstanding lactation services here at North Arlington Pediatrics. 


Katie is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Nursing. Prior to her lactation career, she started her journey as a child life specialist at Lutheran General Hospital, and moved to being a nurse here at North Arlington Pediatrics. Starting in 2016, North Arlington Pediatrics built its first lactation program to help nursing moms find support while in the care at their pediatrician visits. She most enjoys helping moms and babies progress from visit to visit in developing strong breastfeeding bonds and build maternal confidence. Having three children of her own, and navigating her own breastfeeding struggles, she feels this work early on in the breastfeeding journey can impact the entire first year of life and set moms up for success. She spends as long as needed to make sure families are set up with the tools needed for a successful breastfeeding or pumping plan to successfully feed their infant. 

Some of her special interests include ankyloglossia (tongue ties), premature birth, maternal medications in the realm of breastfeeding and postpartum support and its role in breastfeeding. 


Theresa is a Certified Lactation Counselor. Aside from beeing a lactation counselor, Theresa is a registered nurse. She has worked in many areas of the nursing world. She ultimately landed in pediatrics. Prior to NAP ,she worked as an in-home nurse with geriatric patients as well as caring for hospice patients. She has worked with high risk pediatric patients in their home, one on one nursing care in the elementary school setting, as well as immersing herself in the school nurse role. After starting a family and running into her own breastfeeding challenges, she knew she wanted to help other moms achieve their breastfeeding goals and help them through their own struggles. Theresa is eager to meet mothers and their babies and assist them on their breastfeeding journey. She is currently developing classes here at NAP, and is excited to provide useful tools to families before their baby arrives. 

Lactation Services
We learn in prenatal classes and books that breast milk is the optimal nutrition for baby exclusively for
at least the first 6 months. Many moms leave the hospital with a desire to breastfeed their newborn, but
lack the resources to help them succeed.
We’re here to help you once you’ve been discharged from the hospital. Our goal at NAP is to promote
breastfeeding by helping moms achieve their personal feeding goals, while making it a memorable
bonding experience.
Our lactation consultants are dedicated to helping you find balance, comfort, and confidence through your
breastfeeding relationship. With our email, Katie and Theresa can email confidentially back and
forth from your smart phone or computer. Our phone messaging system allows patients to call and
leave a voicemail for lactation on any lactation concerns and they will return your call within 24 hours. 

What happens at an appointment
A typical appointment lasts between 50-90 minutes depending on the concerns. We typically go over
your birth story, prenatal history, your concerns. We will examine your baby’s mouth and sucking
behaviors. We perform pre and post breastfeeding weights on a specialized newborn scale to measure
the amount of milk transferred during a feeding. Based on observations and assessments during the
session, we create an individualized feeding plan that feels right for you and your family.
Please come with your baby hungry, around the start of his/her next feeding time, along with
your breast pump and any accessory you use with breastfeeding.


When might a lactation consultation be necessary?
 Assistance with position and latch techniques
 Producing adequate milk supply
 Continued soreness or pain with nursing
 Slow weight gain or failure to thrive
 Breastfeeding multiples
 Breastfeeding premature infants
 Continuing milk production when mother or baby is hospitalized
 Feeding observation for reassurance


Nursing supplies available for purchase:
 Breast pumps (through insurance for BCBS)
 Nipple shield
 Pump Parts
 Hydrogel dressings for nipple damage


Hours:
Monday 9:00-2:00

Tuesday 10:00-2:00

Wednesday 9:00-2:00

Thursday 9:00-2:00

Friday 9:00-2:00

Saturday 8:00-11:00

Support groups to be held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 1:00-2:00 via zoom. Please email [email protected] the Monday before to get the zoom link.


Contact Us

Our Location

Front Desk and Nurse Educator Hours

Monday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-7:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-7:30 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-7:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Well Visit Hours

Monday:

7:30 am-7:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-7:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-7:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-7:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:30 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Contact Lactation at