MY STORY
Maya's received her IBCLC certification in 2001 after working as a postpartum floor nurse. In total, she worked at the Cleveland Clinic’s Hillcrest Hospital for 26 years in the postpartum and lactation departments. Additionally, she has worked - and continues to work - at Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio, under the auspices of Senders Pediatrics. Maya collaborates closely with colleague and friend Dr. Ann Witt.
Maya is passionate about teaching consultants and parents about her world-renowned, easy-to-implement techniques in breast massage. Maya’s passion stems in part from her great aunt Reeva, who worked as a nurse-midwife in Minsk, Belarus, and introduced her to therapeutic breast massage before the technique had a name.
Maya strongly believes that this traditional, hands-on approach is just as relevant to lactation today. In 2013, together with Dr. Ann Witt, Maya published research articles introducing Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation (TBML); a simple, readily accessible, and research-based method of decreasing symptoms of engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. This gentle - yet powerful - technique can be easily taught to parents and healthcare professionals that interact with families on a daily basis.
Maya feels privileged to teach and learn from consultants around the world. Her personal, familial experience translates to a professional practice grounded in knowledge, compassion and evidence.
Testimonials
“Not only was the workshop incredibly informative, it was also fun, interesting, and very hands-on. I have noticed a major change in practice among members of the lactation team and the RNs who attended. Therapeutic breast massage, gentle hand expression, and breast gymnastics are now part of the common practice.
Our engorged patients are seeing faster and more effective relief. We have updated our discharge flyers. Our practice has been changed for the better and our patients are benefitting! “
— Rachel Leibson IBCLC, RN, BSN, BA
“I can say unequivocally, that any IBCLC who doesn’t take Maya Bolman’s workshop is lacking a really important set of skills. I have now taken her workshop twice and I learned more the second time around; I am sure when I take it again in the future, I will learn even more.
Each time, she also imparts new techniques to us IBCLCs so that we can do a better job of helping our lactating parents keep their breasts
healthier and more comfortable. I teach her breast gymnastics to every single prenatal client I have and then probably the majority of postpartum clients as well. So many clients experience clogged ducts, engorgement and unfortunately mastitis, especially with so much pumping, and I feel so much more confident with my hands-on skills after Maya’s workshop. What I especially love is when I teach it to my clients, they immediately respond with “oh, my breasts feel so much better already!” What more could you ask for? ”
— SF, IBCLC
“We just used your videos on hand expression and breast gymnastics at our breastfeeding workshop ! You have transformed our care and we are all so much more confident using your techniques!! We are indebted!”
— Hospital IBCLCs