About Me
Hello! My name is Uyen Tran. I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), a La Leche League Leader (LLLL), and a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) - also called Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and a member of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Lactation Collaborative. I currently work at the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program as an IBCLC and a Breastfeeding Program Coordinator.
I am dedicated to supporting families holistically with a focus on infant and lactation massage, qigong practice for breast health, postpartum & breastfeeding nutrition, emotional and physical well-being, and advocating for the rights of lactating parents in the workplace and the AANHPI communities.
I received my lactation education and training from UC San Diego Extension and La Leche League. I have a Bachelor's degree in Finance, a Master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Decision Sciences.
I regularly attend conferences and workshops to stay current with the latest research and developments in breastfeeding and lactation, ensuring I provide high quality care to the families I serve. I am also exploring ways to integrate Eastern traditional practices—such as herbalism, nutritional therapy, meridian massage, and qigong—into lactation and postpartum care. I am dedicated to continuously learning and embracing holistic approaches that support the well-being of families during the postpartum journey.
I have two children. I exclusively pumped for my first child for 17 months, and nursed my second for more than 4 years. I pumped for 3.5 years combined for both babies while working full time. My husband is a Data Scientist and my biggest cheers-leader in every decision I have made.
Finally, I love to write and speak about my own experiences as a breastfeeding parent and an AANHPI Lactation Professional. You can find some of my writing in my blog.
How I Got Here
I studied natural sciences in high school to social sciences and humanities in college. In the U.S., I studied finance and business analytics thinking I would be a philanthropist. At that point of thinking, I had some idea that I wanted to help other people. My first job out of college was in mortgage, then quickly, my career steered into finance and accounting, and that was what I did for a living for almost 12 years. What gave me a sense of purpose was knowing I could make an impact on someone's life somewhere - very indirectly.
All of that was far from being fulfilling. I always felt something was missing, as if I wasn't in the right place.
More than a decade ago, I became a parent. From the time I held my tiny baby girl in my arms, I have learned how little, how vulnerable these little babies were and that they were completely dependent on their caregivers for food, love and protection to survive in this strange place. I started thinking about many little babies in the world without the privilege of having their most basic needs met. Every time I held a newborn, I saw the same behaviors, the same looks, I heard the same sounds, the same cry, regardless of race, gender or social status. Since then, I have always loved the little people. Within my limited capabilities, I have always looked for small ways to help the little ones.
Between my first and my second baby, I learned about milk sharing and milk banks. When I was having my son, I knew I wanted to share my breast milk with other babies. One day, when I was researching for a place to give my breast milk to, a life moment came to me when I thought I didn't have to just give away my breast milk which I wouldn't have forever; but, I could help other parents provide their babies with their own breast milk instead. That would be exactly the concept of building the clock versus telling time I learned and embraced in business school. That wonderful moment became a turning point for me.
From that point, I started working on plans to achieve my goal - by education, certification, and volunteer work. Along with studying, I attended my first La Leche League meetings and there I kept on coming back. A whole new world opened up to me beyond just breastfeeding tips and information. It was finding a missing piece of my life, it was strangely fulfilling. It was how it would feel when you were doing the thing you love, or simply, just being in the right place. In this community, I have seen a tremendous amount of knowledge, respect, understanding, honesty, empathy, devotion, and resiliency. I have seen love and care and encouragement from parents for each other. I have seen the meaning of parenthood, the power of community. And, I see myself.
I see breastfeeding as a lot of things, but a feeding method. It is a relationship, a connection and tenderness. It is a powerful mothering tool. It is womanhood, parenthood, an Art. It is sacrifice and hard work; it is also rewards and satisfaction. It is nutrition and science; it is "multigenerational genomic programming that directs the well-being of our species".
Did that moment just come to me or did I find it? The moment of the beginning of my metamorphic journey. Maybe, I don't know. Maybe, it doesn't matter. But I know I plan on embracing every moment of this journey and I hope to see you in it.
P/S: I love everything tea, backyard chickens, and The Lord of the Rings.
Hello! My name is Uyen Tran. I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), a La Leche League Leader (LLLL), and a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) - also called Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and a member of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Lactation Collaborative. I currently work at the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program as an IBCLC and a Breastfeeding Program Coordinator.
I am dedicated to supporting families holistically with a focus on infant and lactation massage, qigong practice for breast health, postpartum & breastfeeding nutrition, emotional and physical well-being, and advocating for the rights of lactating parents in the workplace and the AANHPI communities.
I received my lactation education and training from UC San Diego Extension and La Leche League. I have a Bachelor's degree in Finance, a Master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Decision Sciences.
I regularly attend conferences and workshops to stay current with the latest research and developments in breastfeeding and lactation, ensuring I provide high quality care to the families I serve. I am also exploring ways to integrate Eastern traditional practices—such as herbalism, nutritional therapy, meridian massage, and qigong—into lactation and postpartum care. I am dedicated to continuously learning and embracing holistic approaches that support the well-being of families during the postpartum journey.
I have two children. I exclusively pumped for my first child for 17 months, and nursed my second for more than 4 years. I pumped for 3.5 years combined for both babies while working full time. My husband is a Data Scientist and my biggest cheers-leader in every decision I have made.
Finally, I love to write and speak about my own experiences as a breastfeeding parent and an AANHPI Lactation Professional. You can find some of my writing in my blog.
How I Got Here
I studied natural sciences in high school to social sciences and humanities in college. In the U.S., I studied finance and business analytics thinking I would be a philanthropist. At that point of thinking, I had some idea that I wanted to help other people. My first job out of college was in mortgage, then quickly, my career steered into finance and accounting, and that was what I did for a living for almost 12 years. What gave me a sense of purpose was knowing I could make an impact on someone's life somewhere - very indirectly.
All of that was far from being fulfilling. I always felt something was missing, as if I wasn't in the right place.
More than a decade ago, I became a parent. From the time I held my tiny baby girl in my arms, I have learned how little, how vulnerable these little babies were and that they were completely dependent on their caregivers for food, love and protection to survive in this strange place. I started thinking about many little babies in the world without the privilege of having their most basic needs met. Every time I held a newborn, I saw the same behaviors, the same looks, I heard the same sounds, the same cry, regardless of race, gender or social status. Since then, I have always loved the little people. Within my limited capabilities, I have always looked for small ways to help the little ones.
Between my first and my second baby, I learned about milk sharing and milk banks. When I was having my son, I knew I wanted to share my breast milk with other babies. One day, when I was researching for a place to give my breast milk to, a life moment came to me when I thought I didn't have to just give away my breast milk which I wouldn't have forever; but, I could help other parents provide their babies with their own breast milk instead. That would be exactly the concept of building the clock versus telling time I learned and embraced in business school. That wonderful moment became a turning point for me.
From that point, I started working on plans to achieve my goal - by education, certification, and volunteer work. Along with studying, I attended my first La Leche League meetings and there I kept on coming back. A whole new world opened up to me beyond just breastfeeding tips and information. It was finding a missing piece of my life, it was strangely fulfilling. It was how it would feel when you were doing the thing you love, or simply, just being in the right place. In this community, I have seen a tremendous amount of knowledge, respect, understanding, honesty, empathy, devotion, and resiliency. I have seen love and care and encouragement from parents for each other. I have seen the meaning of parenthood, the power of community. And, I see myself.
I see breastfeeding as a lot of things, but a feeding method. It is a relationship, a connection and tenderness. It is a powerful mothering tool. It is womanhood, parenthood, an Art. It is sacrifice and hard work; it is also rewards and satisfaction. It is nutrition and science; it is "multigenerational genomic programming that directs the well-being of our species".
Did that moment just come to me or did I find it? The moment of the beginning of my metamorphic journey. Maybe, I don't know. Maybe, it doesn't matter. But I know I plan on embracing every moment of this journey and I hope to see you in it.
P/S: I love everything tea, backyard chickens, and The Lord of the Rings.
uyen@marigoldlactation.com
(510) 292-7758
Half Moon Bay, California
(510) 292-7758
Half Moon Bay, California