Leslie R Kowalski, PhD, IBCLC

I have been providing lactation and infant feeding support in the Princeton area for 24 years and counting - as a La Leche League (LLL) leader from 2002 - 2022, a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) since 2011, and with Mercer County WIC from 2014 to 2016.

I grew up in New York and New Jersey, and graduated from Cook College with a BS in Biochemistry, and from Rutgers University/UMDNJ with a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.   While raising my kids, the many difficulties with early breastfeeding, and all the challenges that come with returning to work - pumping, bottle feeding, balancing things, etc - laid the foundation for my dedication to skilled lactation and infant feeding support!

I am an in-network provider with Aetna, Amerihealth, United HealthCare, Independence Blue Cross (not other BC policies) and Cigna.

I constantly seek out new trainings and attend conferences to further my knowledge in infant feeding (breast and bottle), pumping and milk expression, oral ties, skills that help integrate a baby’s oral and body movements with their suckling skills (breast or bottle), and more.

I have two amazing adult daughters (it seemed like yesterday they were little!) and many pets (as of Oct 2026 - 4 cats and 7 chickens!). I love singing, knitting, and being with my family and friends.

Memberships

• New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC)

• Pennsylvania Resource Organization for Lactation Consultants (PRO-LC)

• International Consortium of Ankyloglossia Professionals (ICAP)

• GOLD Learning Professional Advisory Committees for the Tongue Tie and Lactation Conferences

• Administrator for NJ Lactation Professionals Group

Presentations/Speaking Engagements

• “Neurobiology of Attachment” - April 28, 2017 - La Leche League of Garden State Conference

• “Untangling the Big Picture of Tongue-Tie Assessment” - Originally presented September 2021 for GOLD Learning Tongue-Tie Online Conference 2021, and re-offered several times at various conferences through to present.

• “Understanding Lactation” - Jan 20, 2022 - Meadowlark CSC - Surviving the 4th Trimester Series

• “Babies With Suckling Dysfunction: Assessment and Coordination of Care” - Originally presented April 2022 for GOLD Online Lactation Conference 2022, and and re-offered at various conferences through to present.

• “Helping Babies with Oral Dysfunction” - Presented Jan 23, 2023 at MilkWell Lactation - Lactation Love and Learning, a professional IBCLC study group.

• “Tongue, Lip and Cheek Ties: Assessment and Coordination of Care” - Presented May 14, 2024 for La Leche League of Garden State.

• “Getting Feeding Back on Track After Tongue-Tie Release” - Originally presented September 2024 for GOLD Learning Tongue-Tie Online Conference 2024, and re-offered at various conferences through to present.

• “Sucking Exercises to Manage Sucking Dysfunction: An IBCLC’s Guide to Oral Motor Exercises” - Originally presented April 2025 for GOLD Online Lactation Conference 2025, and re-offered at various conferences through to present.

• “From Feeding to Function: The Role of Breastfeeding in Oral Development” - Originally presented April 2026 for GOLD Online Lactation Conference 2026.