The Team
Meet the Team
Amy Black, IBCLC
Owner, Milk Matters Lactation Services
First and foremost, I am a proud mother of three. Like many lactation consultants, my own breastfeeding journey inspired my career. While breastfeeding my first child came naturally, my second's journey was filled with unexpected challenges. Experiencing the frustration, uncertainty, and emotional toll of breastfeeding difficulties gave me a deep appreciation for how important compassionate, knowledgeable support can be.
I completed my lactation training in the Washington, DC area and was fortunate to complete my clinical internship at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, where I had the privilege of working alongside military families. As a retired Air Force spouse, I have a special place in my heart for military parents who are often navigating pregnancy and parenthood far from their support systems.
For more than a decade, I have worked in a variety of lactation settings, including postpartum care, a Level III NICU, private practice, and lactation education. My clinical passions include supporting premature infants, late preterm and early-term babies, medically complex newborns, and families who simply need a little extra guidance and encouragement. In addition to working directly with families, I have spent over ten years mentoring future IBCLCs through Lactation Education Resources, helping develop the next generation of lactation professionals.
I believe every family deserves evidence-based, individualized care that respects their goals and circumstances. While breastfeeding offers many benefits for both parent and baby, I also understand that the path isn't always straightforward. Whether you're struggling with latch, milk supply, pumping, premature birth, or simply wondering if things are going as they should, I'm here to meet you where you are. Together, we'll create a plan that helps you feel confident and supported so feeding your baby becomes a positive, rewarding experience.
Whether you're expecting your first baby or welcoming your fifth, congratulations! Parenthood is an incredible adventure filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable moments. It is an honor to be part of your family's journey, and I look forward to meeting you and your little one(s).
Jess Murray, IBCLC, CCLS
My personal journey with lactation was anything but easy – as a mother of premature twins, I felt like I experienced every problem under the sun when trying to learn how to breastfeed. I realized through this experience how much mental health can be tied to feeding your babies and it inspired me to want to be there to help other families through the complexities of the postpartum world. Becoming a lactation consultant felt like a natural path to being able to provide this kind of care as lactation consultants are one of the few healthcare providers that get to see and work with both the birthing parent and the baby together.
I completed my lactation training at two locations in Northern Virginia, first at Virginia Hospital Center on the postpartum floor where I was able to work with dyads immediately after birth, as well as at Capital Area Pediatrics, a local pediatricians office where I worked with families with babies from a few days old up to a year and beyond. Being able to work with this wide range of ages allowed me to gain experience with many different issues that families face during their feeding journeys.
Originally, my background was as a child life specialist, a healthcare provider who helps children and families cope with the stress and trauma that can come with illnesses, injuries, and hospitalizations. In 2023, I started working as a child life specialist in the NICU setting, which has given me a unique view into the world of having to navigate the uncertainty of the NICU while being newly postpartum. Being able to take some of my own experience as a NICU mom into this setting has helped me relate to many of these families on a deeper level and I truly love getting to meet and work with parents of NICU babies. While most of my time is spent as a lactation consultant working with families in their homes, I still work per diem in the NICU as a child life specialist.
My personal philosophy when it comes to lactation is that no matter what your feeding journey looks like, I will be there to help you reach your own personal goals and support you in whatever way I can. I also believe mental health is incredibly important and if you find that the current path you are on with feeding your baby is making it harder to take care of yourself, then we will work together to find a different solution that is better for everyone involved. I am here to help and I look forward to meeting you and your family.
Maria Anderson, IBCLC
As a mother of two who faced her own breastfeeding struggles, I know how challenging the journey can be. While most people think breastfeeding comes “naturally” and easily to everyone, the truth is that it takes practice and patience to get better. My goal is to help your family get to that better place.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I spent 15 years as a public relations professional and spokesperson for nonprofits, including the Smithsonian Institution. I eventually channeled my communications expertise into lactation, focusing on supporting and guiding parents through early feeding challenges.I completed my intensive clinical hours in a hospital setting, managing complex cases like painful nursing, milk supply issues, and infant weight concerns.
This experience taught me that no two families are the same. What brings success to one might not work for another, and that’s okay. I approach every consultation with empathy, evidence-based information, and zero judgment. I want to empower you to make the decisions that work best for your life. If you are facing challenges right now,please know you don't have to walk this path alone.
I am also deeply passionate about providing bilingual care for Spanish-speaking families and culturally responsive support to all of my patients. I believe every parent deserves to be heard, understood, and supported in a way that honors and respects their language and culture.
I look forward to meeting you and your little one, and creating a tailored plan to help you reach your feeding goals.