Leila Nassar
Leila Nassar is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and LVPG Pediatrics in Allentown, Pennsylvania. With more than three decades of experience in lactation and maternal-child health, she has dedicated her career to supporting breastfeeding families through compassionate, evidence-based care. She began her journey in healthcare as a medical assistant and lactation counselor within the same pediatric practice where she continues to serve today, building a long-standing commitment to the community she supports.
A first-generation Arab-American fluent in Arabic, Leila is widely recognized for her culturally competent approach to care, particularly in serving diverse and immigrant families. She is the founder of the first outpatient lactation department in the Lehigh Valley pediatric system, helping expand access to breastfeeding support for families regardless of income or insurance status. She is also a founding and active member of the Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition, where she has helped advance breastfeeding education, advocacy, and community outreach initiatives for over 15 years.
Throughout her career, Leila has focused on empowering mothers not only in breastfeeding, but also in their overall wellbeing and mental health. She is known for her “pro-mama, pro-baby” philosophy, encouraging families to make informed, guilt-free feeding choices that work best for them. In addition to her clinical work, she has contributed to published research on outpatient breastfeeding support and holds a U.S. patent for a breastfeeding support pillow device. Today, she continues to mentor healthcare professionals and expand access to lactation care for underserved communities.
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
• Lehigh County Community College - AAS
• Nominated for Walking on Water Award (twice)
• Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition
• International Lactation Consultants of the Americas (ILCA)
• Atlantic Breastfeeding Coalition
• Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition volunteer work
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to genuinely connect with mothers and understand their experiences, shaped by my own challenges with breastfeeding, my upbringing as a first-generation Arab-American, and the early responsibility I had in helping raise my siblings after losing my mother. These experiences have given me resilience and a deep appreciation for the cultural diversity surrounding motherhood. I strive to support each mother by listening to their individual needs rather than giving prescriptive advice, helping them navigate their own path without judgment or guilt. My greatest reward is seeing mothers leave feeling empowered, confident, and supported in their journey.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to follow my passion and trust the path, even when it is not the most conventional or immediately financially rewarding. I have learned that meaningful work is often driven by purpose rather than profit, and staying aligned with that purpose leads to deeper fulfillment and long-term success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this field to pursue it only if they are truly passionate about the work, because it is not driven by high financial reward but by purpose and impact. While financial stability and opportunities to travel are always a bonus, the real value lies in the difference you make in people’s lives and the legacy you leave behind. This work can be emotionally and physically demanding, but it is also deeply fulfilling. The greatest reward is seeing the transformation in the mothers you support—watching them leave feeling confident, empowered, and reassured in their journey. That impact is what sustains you and makes the work truly meaningful.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is accessibility, as many families are unable to afford private lactation support and insurance coverage is often limited or unavailable, leaving some mothers without the help they need. Another challenge is the influence of social media, which can create unrealistic expectations for mothers rather than focusing on their individual needs and experiences. At the same time, there are meaningful opportunities to expand access through community-based services, mentorship, and education, ensuring more families receive the support they deserve. I am also passionate about building a strong, mission-driven team that can continue this work long-term, and exploring innovative ways—such as mobile support services—to bring care directly into underserved communities.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me in both my personal and professional life are family, compassion, and authenticity. Family is my greatest pride and foundation, and I believe that being deeply connected to my own children and loved ones helps me better understand and support the families I serve in my community. In my work, I am committed to empowering mothers without judgment, ensuring they feel supported in their own choices rather than pressured by external expectations. I am both pro-mama and pro-baby, and I focus on guiding rather than directing, helping mothers maintain confidence and emotional well-being throughout their journey. Ultimately, I value understanding diversity and making a meaningful, positive impact on every person I have the privilege to support.