Ready to transform Infant Feeding in YOUR community?
Become an Integrated Lactation Feeding Specialist!
A unique 10-week program to create a community of lactation and feeding professionals who focus on the goals of the family.
This program runs for 10 weeks, with a combo of live meetings held virtually on 5 Monday evenings (recording available if you can't make it) and pre-recorded sessions. Session begins Nov 17, 2025!
This is a 45-hour lactation counselor training and certification course, taught by the expert and highly regarded IBCLC Lactation Consultant and midwife, Tanya Wills, CNM, IBCLC, meets competencies many practitioners from doulas, nurses, health care providers, birth workers, and WIC nutritionists.
You'll become proficient in:
- The current state of breastfeeding/bodyfeeding in the U.S.
- Anatomy and physiology of lactation and infant reflexes
- Contraindications to bodyfeeding
- Pumping and milk expression
- The hospital atmosphere and its effects on lactation
- Cultural and social considerations in feeding
- Alternatives to bodyfeeding
- Inducing lactation
- Inclusivity and holistic care approaches
- Real-life case studies and scenarios
- How to grow and sustain your lactation business
- …and much more!
- Interested and want learn more? Email us @ support@birthdaypresence.comto ask questions or to let us know you want a phone call!
Scholarship Opportunities:
- In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities leading to higher maternal mortality rates for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Doulas and Lactation Counselors improve birth and postpartum outcomes and makes a difference in more positive birth and postpartum experiences. Doulas and Lactation Counselors are an essential part of collaborative, respectful quality care.
- 30% Scholarships are available for providers who are in financial need and identify as BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Disabled or Single Parent and show
- A commitment to improving birth, postpartum, lactation or infant outcomes
- Have a financial need for scholarship assistance
- Will use their lactation skills to support their community
- If you feel that you meet the above criteria, please submit a short essay or submit a 1-min video addressing the questions below. Here are some questions to consider as you write or speak. Please submit to support@birthdaypresence.com
- Why do you want to become a Lactation Counselor and what do you hope to gain from this training?
- In what capacity would you like to serve lactating people and their families?
- How do you see yourself creating change through birthwork?
- How will this scholarship help you with your future goals?
- Do you identify as BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Disabled/Single Parent
Scholarships submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis and awarded until filled.
Training Dates:
5 live, virtual classes (recording available if you miss a session) led by Tanya Wills, CNM, IBCLC and additional expert instructors (all times ET)
- Nov 17 6-8pm
- Dec 1 6-8pm
- Dec 8 6-8pm
- Dec 22 6-8pm
- Jan 5 6-8pm
- Jan 12: EXAM REVIEW 6-7pm
- Exam Open Jan 20-26
- Pre-recorded sessions to deepen your learning
- Weekly case studies, group discussions, and mentorship for hands-on integration
- Access to a private WhatsApp community for peer and instructor support
Why Train With Us
- We consider the full picture.Our program addresses the institution and family structure that act as support or barriers to the family/new parent.
- Our community is inclusive. We are creating a credential that is taught from an inclusive and actively anti-racist perspective. Single, LGBTQIA+ families, and adopted families are not othered.
- We go in depth. This program offers varied modes of learning, from weekly case studies and formal presentations to small group meetings, mentorship and more. Complete the course with a final exam, written lactation assessments and a case study presentation and walk away with a credential that you can be proud to hold.
- You’ll Walk Away With
- The title Integrative Lactation and Feeding Specialist®
- Eligibility for 45 hours of CERPs + CMEs
- Confidence in your cultural competency and scope of practice
- Tools to authentically grow your lactation business
Creating a community of birth workers who focus on the goals of the family.
People having babies do not receive adequate holistic and integrative lactation and feeding support or care. The medical-industrial complex (MIC) drops people off at the curb with a 2-3 day old baby and a pediatrician who does not know how to assess the lactating or feeding parent. These families are left with Dr. Google, guilt, shame, and confusion.
This is where YOU, the Integrative Lactation and Feeding Specialist™ comes in.
Expectant and new families need a community of birth workers who are knowledgeable about the barriers they face while helping without promoting any other agenda besides the one the families want.
It’s time for lactation and feeding to work towards what is best for the family. It’s more than just the milk.
What you will learn:
Racial disparities
A systemwide problem and the role a doula plays in helping to create equity and reduce disparities
Respectful care for all
Why a cultivating a positive birth experience for every birthing person is a human right
Evidence-based care
The best doula practices and the current gaps between evidence and practice
Inclusive language
Words can shape experiences, learn how to honor clients through language
The hormonal physiology of childbirth
How doulas can help fill hormonal gaps and provide community
The role of continuous support
Learn how to best support a parent and their family, as well as the importance of continuous support
Reconnecting the circle of support
The emotions of birth: integrating mind, body and soul
Comfort measures and positions for labor and birth
Learn how to empower birthing parents to trust their bodies and follow the instincts of movement
The role and scope of practice for DONA Certified doulas
...and so much more!
Debra has taught tens of thousands of doulas, nurses, midwives, physicans and parents around the world. - Don’t miss this unique opportunity to begin or expand your doula practice. This workshop is for you whether you are beginning your path to becoming a doula, want to learn how to support your partner, friend or family through their birth, are a nurse who would like to enhance your comfort skills or are a community doula looking to expand your labor support skills. Our doula workshop brings together people from all backgrounds and experiences to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist today to ensure everyone has a safe, respectful and gentle birth in any setting.
Why choose Debra’s DONA Workshops?
- Debra is one of the top doula trainers in the world! She has taught tens of thousands of doulas, nurses, midwives, physicians and parents!
- She has a wealth of global knowledge and experience from learning and teaching in over 40 countries!
- She was an integral part of the first community doula program in the U.S. in the South Bronx, NY
- She was the Former Director of the Neighborhood Doula Project in Paterson, NJ
- She Is the current Co-Chair of a global initiative - The International Childbirth Initiative (ICI): 12 Steps to Safe and Respectful MotherBaby-Family Maternity Care
- 30 years of experience! She has worked as a doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator and Doula Trainer for over 30 years and continues to gain experience and inspiration from other birth workers, clients and continually receiving Inspiration and experience
I thought Debra tackled difficult topics (like racial disparities in maternal mortality) and more stigmatized topics (like masturbation during labor as a pain relieving tool) in a confident and practical manner.
- D
Thank you for creating such an awesome, nourishing, and beautiful space for all of us. Debra's class was transcendent, but I want to acknowledge that the home you have built for families and birth enthusiasts gives me so much hope for the future of care. I am deeply grateful for the love and integrity that you, Debra and hold for every person that walks through your doors.
- Marie Detering
I have been to many different workshops and trainings and this has been one of my best experiences. Debra has such a beautiful spirit and her passion for her work is evident. She created a beautiful space for us to be open and vulnerable, to heal, to learn and to love. It was amazing!
- Natalie Jones
Thank you for an amazing training! I was totally blown away by Debra. She is truly a gift to the world. Keep your notices coming because I am sure more of our nurses will want to partake in the training as we expand and redesign the Labor & Delivery Unit."
-S
Birth Day Presence's Birth Doula training is informative, eye-opening, powerful, and inspiring. Debra is an expert in the field and it is a privilege to learn from her. For all aspiring doulas - Birth Day Presence is a gem. Efficient, organized, informative, meaningful, awe-inspiring, and fun.
- Arielle
Birth Day Presence offers 3 25% scholarships for DONA Approved Birth and Postpartum Doula Trainings. These scholarships are meant for people who would not otherwise be able to attend the training because their financial resources are limited. If you have the means to pay for the full training, or if you have limited resources, but do not identify as BIPOC, payment plans are available.
In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities leading to higher maternal mortality rates for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Doulas improve birth outcomes and makes a difference in more positive birth experiences. Doulas are an essential part of collaborative, respectful quality care. We offer partial scholarships to individuals who identify as BIPOC and have shown.
** November deadline 9/30/2025. Scholarships awarded until full. **
If you feel that you meet the above criteria, please submit a short essay or submit a 1-min video addressing the questions below. Here are some questions to consider as you write or speak. Please submit to doulas@birthdaypresence.com.
- Why do you want to become a Birth or Postpartum Doula and what do you hope to gain from this training?
- In what capacity would you like to serve birthing people and their families?
- How do you see yourself creating change through birthwork?
- How will this scholarship help you with your future goals?
- Do you identify as BIPOC?
Scholarships submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis and awarded until filled.
BIPOC Scholarships
A commitment to improving birth outcomes
Have a financial need for scholarship assistance
Will use doula skills to support their community