Patricia Smith, OTRL, IBCLC

Hello! I’m Patricia, an internationally board-certified Lactation Consultant and nationally registered and state-licensed Occupational Therapist in Madison, Wisconsin. 

My passion is helping families flourish. With my unique set of credentials and niche of holistic assessment, I’ve cared for thousands of families over the last 20+ years by coming up with solid solutions that allow infants and families to thrive long-term.

My journey into this work started with my first child. We struggled to latch without pain and had several infections that interfered with my ability to truly enjoy breastfeeding for several months.  At the time, I didn’t have anyone that addressed all of my issues in one session, and I struggled to piece together a plan for success while continuing to breastfeed.  So much of the program I developed is a combination of personal experience and years of understanding how the body works for us if we know what to look for and how to create a better pattern.

Training & Credentials

My professional background includes work in a variety of settings across complementary and traditional medical facilities, neonatal ICU, birthing centers, and the public school system.

  • Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago

  • Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR), National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

  • Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI), International Institute of Infant Massage (IIIM)

  • Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

  • Yoga teacher training, 200 hours

  • International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

My Commitment to Teaching & Continuing Ed 

  • Presenter, Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants (2021. 2023)

  • Keynote speaker, La Leche League Wisconsin (2019)

  • Presenter, YWCA conference Chicago (2019)

  • Presenter, Northern Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force (2018 and 2022)

  • Presenter, Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants (2018)

  • Guest Lecturer, Wisconsin Early Childhood Conference “Launch to Learning” (2017 and 2018)

  • Mentor (ongoing), Community lactation services provider, and professional mentor 

  • Instructor (ongoing), Teaching courses on infant care and breastfeeding, Madison Public Libraries

  • Speaker and Consultant (ongoing), University of Wisconsin Office of Childcare and Family Resources

  • Speaker, Milk Mob Art and Science of Breastfeeding Conference (2017)

  • Instructor, Courses on headache relief, pain reduction, stress relief, and infant massage, Madison Birth Center and Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin 

  • Guest Lecturer, Occupational Therapy Program, MATC, (2012)

  • Guest Speaker,  Madison Breastfeeding Coalition Conference (2009)

  • Teaching Assistant, The Upledger Institute (2005 - 2013)

  • Guest Yoga Instructor, Main Street Yoga