Melissa Kotlen, BA, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Melissa Kotlen, BA, BSN, RN, IBCLC is a highly respected Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) based in New York City. With over two decades of experience supporting families through their breastfeeding journeys, she has become a trusted voice in maternal and infant health. Through her private practice, Lactation with Melissa, she provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each family’s unique needs. Her work bridges clinical expertise with emotional support, empowering parents to navigate one of the most intimate and transformative stages of early parenthood.
In addition to her private practice, Melissa has held key leadership roles in both hospital and corporate settings. She has served as Chief Lactation Advisor for Villyge, a Forbes-recognized company supporting working parents, and as Retreat Manager/Lactation Lead at Boram Postnatal Care, where she helped redefine postnatal recovery experiences in the U.S. Her earlier career includes clinical work as a Labor & Delivery nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital and consulting for Baby Doctor—House Calls for Kids, where she combined medical knowledge with practical family guidance. Melissa’s insights have been featured in national outlets such as What to Expect, Well+Good, Parade, and LIVESTRONG.com, highlighting her as a thought leader in maternal wellness and lactation care.
A graduate of Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts in French and English, Melissa later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. She brings both an analytical and empathetic perspective to her practice—blending science, communication, and deep humanity. Whether writing, speaking, or working one-on-one with clients, Melissa is dedicated to demystifying breastfeeding and promoting confidence, connection, and community among new parents. Her work continues to inspire others to approach motherhood and caregiving with patience, strength, and grace.
• Registered Nurse
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
• Skidmore College - BA
• International Lactation Consultant Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my children and my parents. They are my greatest motivation and the driving force behind everything I do. Their love, resilience, and belief in me inspire me to keep growing, working hard, and setting an example of perseverance and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to take judgment out of my mind, truly hear, and listen. It taught me that effective leadership and collaboration begin with understanding others without bias—creating space for genuine connection, learning, and growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to always stand up for yourself. Know your worth, trust your voice, and don’t be afraid to advocate for your ideas and boundaries. Confidence and self-respect will carry you far and earn the respect of others along the way. I will add, specific to nursing, that they find their "person"--their go-to, their "work mom"--who will be by their side to help to support and navigate the process of becoming a confident, proficient, and eventually, expert, nurse. It is not an easy career, and having that comfort is everything!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is ensuring insurance coverage for all for lactation support and assistance. Every mother and baby should have access to a lactation consultant, period. The health benefits for both mom and baby--from physical to emotional--are incredibly important and they should be able to have proper support, regardless of their means.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me, both in my work and personal life, are honesty and integrity. I believe in being transparent, keeping my word, and doing what’s right even when it’s not easy. These principles guide my decisions, shape my relationships, and define the way I lead and live.
Locations
Lactation with Melissa
New York, NJ 07307