Our Story
Empowered Lactation providers have been working together as a team to support our community for several years prior to beginning this group practice. Many in our community know us from the work we did as members of the lactation team at Daisy CHAIN, a local non-profit that unfortunately closed due to funding and financial problems in February of 2026. We are passionate about continuing to support and empower individuals and families on their lactation and infant feeding journeys by providing evidence-based, trauma informed care, support, and education. We are good friends and have worked well together as a team, and continuing our work together in the community just makes sense!
Meet the Team
Birdy Chauncey, she/her
IBCLC, Doula, CST
Hi! I have been working with birthing and postpartum folks for almost 8 years while having a wild life experience around birthing and feeding my own babies. My parenting journey led me to look closer at the gaps with provider care in feeding, body work, and oral support soon after birth. This led me to become certified in Craniosacral Therapy (CST) for adults and infants, specializing in supporting somatic release for infants. In 2021, I became an IBCLC and since then have worked with many clients to teach them supportive ways to feed their infants. This hands on approach, gentle release CST, helps to release any birth related stress, better digestion through nervous system regulation, and improve oral motor functions necessary for a deep, painless latch and more effective sucking. Originally from the East coast (Charlotte, NC), I traveled to Oregon ten years ago. I have completely fallen in love with the year round freezing waters, fishing, and berry picking. I love supporting local community, long exploring hikes with my pup, and anything outdoors! I plan to open my books for home visiting soon.
Sarah Bennett, she/her
IBCLC
Hello! I have had the privilege of offering lactation support in our community since 2022. I began working in the birthing community after my own life showed me just how profoundly support, or the lack thereof, can affect how we experience birth, postpartum, and baby feeding. I draw from my own history with postpartum mental health challenges, two very different births and feeding journeys with my two babies, and my years of studying lactation and supporting our beloved birthing community in a wide spectrum of pregnancy, birth, and lactation journeys. I believe that people deserve to be met where they are at with the utmost respect and tenderness as they navigate lactation and postpartum. I strive to offer up to date, evidence based information and trauma informed support that centers the lactating person and baby’s wellbeing. Some of my areas of particular interest include nutrition, herbal medicine, and postpartum mental health. My work is rooted in the belief that a softer, more connected and just world is possible, and it begins with the way we hold all birthing people, mothers, and babies. I plan to open my books for home visiting in the fall!
Johnny Crow Lam, they/them
CLES, PSS, Doula
I have been doing care work for most of my life. My passion for birth work and lactation grew during my pregnancy in 2013, and in 2021 I had the opportunity to pursue it while working at Daisy Chain as a Street Outreach Doula. I became trained as a Full Spectrum Doula, Peer Support Specialist, and a Lactation Specialist. I began working with IBCLC mentors to pursue my IBCLC, which I will test for in 2027. I enjoy supporting queer and trans families and individuals, and can draw from my own experience as a queer and genderqueer birthing and nursing parent. I am also a proud step-parent to wonderful adult children! I have lived experience with substance use, harm reduction, recovery, and being unhoused, and I am committed to providing trauma informed care, support, and advocacy to people dealing with any of these experiences while also caring for and feeding their babies. Outside of work, I love being outdoors, hiking, bird watching, reading, and spending time with my family and chosen family. I can accept Cigna clients, and hope to be credentialed with more insurance companies soon! I also accept private pay clients, and can send a superbill with you to request reimbursement from your insurance. To book with me, contact here.
Nadir Pinto, she/her/ella
IBCLC
Hola! I’m Nadir and I am a bilingual Spanish speaking IBCLC. I believe in empowering parents to advocate for themselves to meet their goals and their infants' needs. Advocating for young parents is also another focus of mine. My experience as a teen parent led me to this type of work. I understand the struggles and the isolation that can come from being a young parent. My experience led me to wanting to provide the support and compassion I would have loved to receive when raising my sons. I have experience as a Lactation Consultant in the inpatient setting, WIC, and doing home visits in the community with Daisy Chain. I’m excited to continue working with families in Eugene/Springfield! In my spare time I enjoy cooking vegan food, spending time with my two sons, traveling to foreign lands, and enjoying cuddles from my kitty Nymeria. I can accept Cigna insurance, and hope to be credentialed with more insurance companies soon. I also accept private pay, and can send a superbill with you to request reimbursement from your insurance company. Contact here to book with me.
Ari May, they/she
MSW, IBCLC, Doula
I entered the birthwork world while studying clinical social work. In 2019, I made a full pivot into supporting families through the transformative seasons of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, offering home visits as a postpartum doula and peer support specialist. I fell deeply in love with supporting families and trained as a full-spectrum doula. In this role, I supported individuals and families through a wide range of reproductive experiences and advocated for systemic change within our community and the Capitol. During my own pregnancy and postpartum journey, I recognized the importance of specialized infant feeding support. I recently completed a five-year path, becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I’ve been deeply passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based lactation care ever since. My approach to visits centers on building positive, sustainable feeding relationships and practices that honor each dyad’s unique needs and circumstances. My areas of greatest passion include prenatal education, creating supportive structures before the postpartum transition, connecting families with community resources, and supporting pumping journeys. Outside of work, I’m a solo parent to my five-year-old, and we spend much of our time crafting, exploring nature, and finding joy in everyday adventures. I love moving my body through walks, hikes, swimming, and especially lawn gymnastics with kiddos. I believe in the power of connection, play, and community—both in my work with families and in my own life. I hope to begin seeing clients in early September. I am in network with Cigna, and hope to be credentialed with more insurance companies soon! I will also accept private pay clients and can send a superbill with you to request reimbursement from your insurance company.
Sarah Russo, she/her
IBCLC, RN
I’ve been working in various roles with people having babies since 2006, after the experiences of giving birth to and feeding my own babies changed my life! I started out as a doula and midwife’s assistant, worked as a nurse in a hospital and a freestanding birth center, and for the last several years focused on lactation care in the community. I have also been trained as a Peer Support Specialist in Mental Health and my lived experience informs my work every day. My commitment both then and now has been to support people having babies to feel empowered on their journey. On a more personal level, I’m a lucky wife, parent, stepparent, and identify as queer. When I’m not with parents and babies, you’ll find me playing with clay or hiking! I can take clients with Cigna insurance, and hope to be credentialed with more insurance companies soon! I also accept private pay clients and can send a superbill with you to request reimbursement from your insurance company. If you’d like to book with me, contact here.