Melissa Kotlen

Melissa Kotlen is the Chief Lactation Advisor and has over eighteen years experience assessing, diagnosing, and advising mothers on breastfeeding issues. Melissa is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC), and a Labor and Delivery Nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, with additional background in midwifery. She provides lactation guidance to parents registered with Villyge services and advises the Villyge leadership team.

Over the last eighteen years, Melissa has assisted hundreds of women on breastfeeding issues in private, classroom, mother’s group, volunteer, and hospital settings. Prior to entering private practice, Melissa completed her training and clinical work at The Mount Sinai Hospital. She has been a guest expert on The Healthful Woman Podcast and her breastfeeding expertise has been featured on CBS News and in American Baby, Parents and Parenting magazines, in addition to online at newenglandfineliving.com, bostonmamas.com, houstonmom.com, workingmother.com, and babybunching.com. Melissa has also appeared on national television and radio programs, including major network affiliates.

Melissa maintains an active private practice and has worn many hats in the breastfeeding world. She has taught prenatal breastfeeding classes at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, run a weekly breastfeeding support group, lectured on lactation topics at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, written for About.com on all-things-breastfeeding, and was the spokesperson for Playtex breast pumps.

Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Skidmore College, where she double majored in French and English, and earned her BSN from Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. She lives in New York City.