Hi, I'm Thaisa!
I am a PhD, IBCLC, CLC living in Brooklyn, NY. I am a (non-registered) dietitian from Brazil. In 2007, my husband and I moved to the US. Here, I did my PhD (in Nutritional Sciences) at Rutgers University, in NJ, and then my post-doc in body composition at Columbia University, in NYC.
I have always loved working with children, but in graduate school I got involved in understanding how nutrition and outside factors during gestation could influence the babies' health, both in the short as well as in the long-term. I was then curious about maternal health, nutrition, and body composition and its effect on fetuses and babies' health. After a long run in the research world, I missed the daily interaction with my patients. So, I came back to focusing on childhood nutrition and maternal nutrition. Newborn and infant nutrition - breastfeeding and lactation! - was then a natural progression. I became a CLC in 2016, studied a lot more, completed several lactation specific courses, and 500 supervised hours with amazing lactation consultants in the US (mostly NYC) and in 2019, I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
I started my private practice as an IBCLC in 2019, and I've been working and studying maternal and (early) infant nutrition for more than 15 years. I am particularly interested in working with first-time and immigrant families, newborns from birth to 4-6 weeks, and infants with reflux.
I am also lazy and hated exercising for most of my life, up until the past few years... I got to enjoy working out with my partner so much, that I began talking about exercise with my patients. I became a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer in 2018 and went back to the books and courses on physical activity during gestation and after delivery, so I can better guide my patients on how to stay active during this period pregnancy or get back to their regular exercise routines, in a safe and supportive space. The first few months after the birth of the baby can be very stressful, and many parents find that exercising, even if just slowly moving, bring the focus back on them for a few minutes. This helps them recharge, relax, and enjoy the new baby much better.
I am an energetic, yet non-judgemental person, and would love to work with you and help you achieve YOUR infant feeding goals.
