Josephine (Josie) Tullo

BA, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Childbirth Educator, New Parent Educator

Josie Tullo, founder and director of the Northern Virginia Lactation Center, has been board certified as a lactation consultant for over 19 years. Her main area of interest for the past 28 years has been educating and assisting new mothers and babies. Josie is particularly good in working with mothers in such difficult situations as: mothers with flat or inverted nipples, babies that refuse the breast, or latch on, take a few sucks and fall asleep, and other difficult situations. Josie has a wide range of breastfeeding knowledge from age 0 to toddler. She welcomes continued follow up care for her families. People call her the "Baby Breastfeeding Whisperer."

Josie is a graduate of Stony Brook University Long Island, NY with a degree in early infant and child development. Josie is an accomplished lecturer in the field of lactation teaching in such renowned programs as the Georgetown Lactation Consultant Training Program and for the Washington Families' First Lactation Consultant Training program. She is a published author and consultant for Childbirth Graphics. She has developed and implemented a preceptor program for Catholic University and acts as a resource for George Mason University nursing students. She has also taught for George Washington University's Nursing and Residents Programs and new parenting classes. In addition, Josie has acted as the personal advisor on breast cancer and breastfeeding matters to Congressman Young from Florida. She is a member of Northern Virginia Regional Perinatal Association and the Prince William Breastfeeding Counseling program.

Josie was the president of the Lactation Consultants of Greater Washington for over three years. She has also volunteered her time on many breastfeeding committees in Northern Virginia and worked with the Prince William Health Department to train breastfeeding peer counselors. Josie is also developing a mentorship program for individuals interested in becoming a board-certified lactation consultant.  Josie has also has testified at several custody cases in Fairfax County court as an expert witness.

"Josie is an awesome lactation consultant. She is highly professional, organized, and compassionate. She is supportive and has wonderful suggestions for every stage of the breastfeeding process. Were it not for her excellent advice and vast knowledge of breastfeeding, I would have had a much harder time nursing my little boy. I would highly recommend NVLC to any woman at any stage of the breastfeeding relationship."  -Kemi Jadryev
 

Kimberly A Loesser-Murphy

Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Kimberly A. Loesser-Murphy is a graduate of the Los Angeles County - University of Southern California - Medical Center School of Nursing. The mother of four breastfed children, one child born 6 weeks prematurely, Kimberly possesses the personal and professional experience to assist mothers to breastfeed. As the wife of a naval physician, Kimberly has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad. She has implemented lactation programs in military hospitals and clinics under the auspices of the American Red Cross.

Kimberly has taken courses from the Lactation Institute in Encino, California, the Lactation Educator Program taught by Molly Pessel and the Lactation Consultant Training Program taught by the Washington Families First, director, Vergie Hughes. In September of 1999, Kimberly applied to and was accepted by the Northern Virginia Lactation Center for an extensive mentorship program. During that time period, Kimberly worked closely with Josie Tullo, BA, IBCLC. She became board certified in lactation in October 2000 and continues to take continuing education courses.

"NVLC and Kimberly have been such a huge help to my family and me. I would strongly recommend them to any new mother who is having a less-than-perfect experience breastfeeding for any reason. Breastfeeding is really good for babies, but it can be really challenging, and words can't express how important the support was that was provided to me by NVLC." - Elizabeth D. in Fairfax, VA

Debra Swank

 Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Debra Swank brings 26 years of experience as a registered nurse and 14 years of experience in lactation consulting to families in northern Virginia and the greater metro area. Debbie is passionate about helping childbearing families, and enjoys sharing her expertise on infant weight gain, nipple confusion, and all other aspects of lactation management. Area families enjoy Debbie's gentle support as well as her descriptions of the Insta-Latch Baby (the baby who has achieved a high level of mastery through consistent practice in attaching to the mother's breast) and of The Baby Buffet (commonly known as cluster-feeding or bunched feedings). Her current area of research is in the field of motor learning and motor control in regard to the baby who is learning to attach to the breast and suckle.

Debbie is the mother of two daughters and a grandmother to four granddaughters, with another little one on the way.

Colleen York

Colleen's is the voice you will most likely hear when you call our Lactation Center. She schedules appointments, manages breastpump rentals, and answers the many questions parents have about our services.

Colleen is the mother of four breastfed children, and was a La Leche League Leader (in Canada and the U. S.) for many years. She never tires of seeing new babies and new parents!