Our Team
Michelle Ariante, MA, IBCLC
Hi! I’m Michelle, and I love babies! And food! And feeding the people I love. It is my passion to help parents feed their babies with comfort and ease. I grew up in a big Italian family where food was never just about sustenance. The preparation and serving of meals was always about good nutrition but more importantly about love and connection. For me, infant feeding is the same. It is about nutrition of course, but it is also about love and connection. I want to help you feed and connect with your babies in whichever way works for you all.
After a difficult birth and time in the NICU with my son, Vance, I do not believe I would have successfully breastfed without the help of our IBCLC in the hospital. She advocated for us during a time when I didn’t not have the strength to advocate for myself or my baby. I have gone on to breastfeed two beautiful children until they were ready to wean, despite many obstacles. The joys and struggles of this journey have inspired me to support other families as we have been supported.
Before venturing into the world of private practice, I worked at a high volume not-for-profit outpatient breastfeeding clinic, and in a hospital on the labor and delivery, postpartum, and neonatal intensive care units. As full-time IBCLC I am an active member of the United States Lactation Consultant’s Association, the International Lactation Consultant’s Association, The Pennsylvania Resource Organization for Lactation Consultants, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition, the International Consortium of Ankylofrenula Professionals, the Pediatric and Adult Airway Network of New York, and the American Laser Study Club.
Due to personal and professional experiences I have taken a special interest in infant oral dysfunction, allergies and food intolerances in the breastfed baby, fragile feeders, bottle refusers, and have a very special place in my heart for medically complex NICU graduates. My personal belief in holistic wellness drives my practice model. Collaborating with a team of providers allows me to address the complexity of each case. Sharing my knowledge and experience with the next generation of lactation consultants to carry on this tradition of women-centered care is integral to my practice. I almost always have an intern shadowing me at consultations. When not actively working with families in private practice or teaching interns, you can find me lecturing to medical professionals and lay counselors on the topics of infant oral dysfunction, infant-maternal gut health, and jaundice in the breastfed baby.
Before becoming a mother and IBCLC, I enjoyed a career as a biological anthropologist studying the behavioral ecology of non-human primates and indigenous cultures in the rainforests of Central and South America. I now live with my two youngest children in a little beach house at the Jersey Shore.
Laura Sarantinoudis-Jones, BS, IBCLC
Life has truly guided my professional journey, and for that I am most thankful. It has enabled me to see the world from 30,000 feet in the air as a flight attendant, and with the birth of my first daughter Ava, I was immediately grounded when I decided to focus on being a stay at home mom.
My passion for breastfeeding began with my own personal nursing journey: the challenges, the tears, the victories, the uncertainties, and the love. At times it can be very isolating, but this remarkable bonding experience with your baby is something I want to support and help sustain for as many wonderful parents out there as possible. In my experience, our intentions for pregnancy, labor, delivery, postpartum and breastfeeding do not always go according to plan. Breastfeeding can be hard and exhausting, but if you are committed to providing your baby with the best possible nutrition, I am here to support you in your personal journey.
I have now successfully nursed both of my children to term. My perspective, confidence and understanding have helped to guide me in being a more intuitive mother. Not to say we haven't had our challenges because the ability to keep an elementary schooler entertained while feeding an toddler takes talent, energy and a lot of creativity.
I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and member of the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition, New Jersey IBCLC Association, and the Pennsylvania Resource Organization for Lactation Consultants. I completed my clinical internship in 2015 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. My personal mission is to empower families, help them to set realistic goals in their breastfeeding journeys, and minimize the stress that comes with new parenthood.
Mimi Goldberg, BA, CBS, Clinical Lactation Intern
Hello! I’m Mimi Goldberg, an intern at Lucky Baby Lactation, and I am excited to share my passion for breastfeeding and maternal support with this community.
As a mother of two young children, I have had the rewarding experience of breastfeeding both my son and daughter. Each journey was distinct, bringing its own set of joys and challenges. I found that breastfeeding not only provided essential nourishment for my children but also fostered a deep, meaningful bond that I hadn’t anticipated. The support and knowledge I received during this time were invaluable, and I am eager to assist other families in having positive breastfeeding experiences.
I have a BA in Special Education and have several years of experience teaching children with diverse abilities. This background has given me a unique perspective and a strong commitment to supporting children of all needs.
To further my dedication to lactation support, I completed my training through Lactation Education Resources and earned certification as a Breastfeeding Specialist. I am enthusiastic about expanding my knowledge and skills through this internship, which is an important step on my path to becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).