Meet Melanie

Melanie Henstrom

Meet the Founder of Baby Bonds

“I started my Boise clinic & home lactation services to support mothers (like you) who desire the bond & benefits of breastfeeding.”

IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant), BS

3 things you should know right off the bat:

  1. I’m a mother of 6 — including a set of twins — and breastfed all my children. (personal experience … ✓)

  2. I’m an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with specialized training to help you with your lactation struggles. 

  3. I’m always ready to snuggle next to my man and watch some Good Doctor on Hulu.

I know firsthand how unique each baby is and how breastfeeding is a struggle without support and resources. I founded Baby Bonds in 2017 to serve the Boise community I love. I strive to provide the best lactation services available — at home or in my comfortable clinic. 

I’ve helped close to 2,500 breastfeeding dyads (and counting) have a successful breastfeeding experience. I’ve created online resources to spread accurate knowledge on common breastfeeding issues (don’t get me started on tongue tie). Empowering families to reach their goals feeds my soul.

A Little More About Me

So… “How did I end up here?” I watched my OBGYN dad deliver babies and it was such an outstanding process to be a part of, I knew I wanted to help babies when I grew up.

I was going to follow in my dad’s footsteps in medicine. I finished all my pre-nursing requirements and earned my Bachelor's of Science in Family Science. 

Instead, I started working in the adoption field (both incredibly rewarding and heartbreaking). I married my best friend — who, still to this day, is my favorite person to have a salmon dinner with. We ended up in Boise for his job, and are so glad. Because we absolutely love our town!

As soon as I gave birth, I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Breastfeeding my first and then 5 more who followed — including tandem nursing my twins — was challenging, to say the least. And yet, the most rewarding experience of my life that I’d never take back. 

Once all 6 kids were in school, I became a certified postpartum doula and focused on guiding families with twins or multiples. Given my personal experience, I felt called to this special group of moms. I even worked with my daughter as her doula. The honor of serving in the birth of one of my grandchildren — I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing that was.

familypic2020.jpg

This is almost my whole heart in one picture! (Missing my newest, third grandbaby)

Now my biggest focus?

Helping Families Achieve Their Breastfeeding Goals!

I choose to continue to help parents, particularly with breastfeeding knowledge and support. Not to get on a soapbox for too long or anything, but I really think we’re lacking as a society in supporting mothers who want to breastfeed. I’d love to see more resources readily available to pregnant moms interested in breastfeeding.

I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2017 and opened Baby Bonds shortly after. My clinic is a place you’ll feel comfortable and safe. If you rather I come to your home, I can do that too, if my schedule permits!

My training didn’t stop after I became an IBCLC, I wanted to do even more to help parents during this special time. Since there are so many reasons breastfeeding is challenging — I wanted to educate myself even more. Relevant specialization for the most pressing issues allows me to empower the families I work with.

Melanie’s Specialized Trainings Include:

IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Infant Massage - trained with Loving Touch

Rhythmic Movements - was mentored and learned from the creator, Bryna Hayden

CST 1 and CST 2 - trained with Upledger

Craniosacral Fascial Therapy - trained with Gillespie Approach

Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy - trained with Milne Institute

Postpartum Doula - Trained with CAPPA and DONA

Tongue Tie Training- attended multiple conferences and studied under Bryna Hayden for 1 year -500 clinical hours

Melanie’s Speaking Opportunities:

I’m passionate about spreading vital knowledge on these issues. I’ve presented educational talks on breastfeeding and complications at several speaking engagements. I always push myself to learn more, so I can better serve families like yours.

Hosted and spoke at “The Tongue: The Mighty Muscle” in Boise in 2019

OBI International Dental conference in Las Vegas 2021

Legendairy Milk Live on Instagram 2 times in 2022

Gold Lactation’s International Tongue Tie conference in September 2022

Hosted and spoke at “Birth to Best Life” in Meridian in 2022

Two Things You’re Guaranteed to Get From Baby Bonds: Compassion and Support.

We just love helping people, plain and simple! It’s who we are — and we’re people you want in your corner for a successful breastfeeding journey. We’re not here to judge your feeding preferences. We’re here to educate, support, and guide your family with proven expertise and a caring/mother’s heart. Have support. Be prepared. Get answers. Enjoy a successful breastfeeding journey with your baby!

What a Few of Our Clients Have Said…

  • "I consider breastfeeding one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face as a new mom. I started to see a lactation consultant from the beginning who was helpful. But it was really Melanie who finally figured out what the problem was. She’s so knowledgeable, kind, and offered to visit us in the comfort of our home. She did an oral assessment and weight before and after feeding. Plus watched me nurse my baby and let me know what she thought the problem was. She taught me different positions of breastfeeding and supported us every step of the way. If it wasn’t for her — being a working mom, I wouldn’t still be nursing my five-month-old daughter."

    -Parisa B.

  • "Melanie was really incredible as a resource to me with my 2-month premature infant. She’s definitely the kind of lactation consultant you want there when you are struggling through those first days (& months) of mommyhood. I can’t thank her enough for all her help and advice on breastfeeding, infant sleep, self-care, stress relief, concerns about vaccination-related issues, encouragement to trust your motherly instinct, etc. I can’t say enough good things about Melanie!"

    -Laura W.

  • "I was lucky enough to have Melanie’s services for the first few months after bringing my newborn twins home from the hospital. While recovering from my c-section and throughout all of her time with us, she immediately jumped in to help care for all household chores, my babies, and me. She fit in seamlessly and was so easy to be around. Melanie really helped me to get my bearings as both a single and first-time mother in a way that was both extremely supportive, full of practical knowledge, and a lot of patience. From one twin mom to another, I feel she helped soothe my anxieties and build my self-confidence."

    -Jenny L.

  • “Thanks to Melanie, we went from barely being able to latch, painful breastfeeding, baby not able to get much milk, to a pain-free and wonderful breastfeeding relationship. She’s truly an expert at what she does and she was able to help us with many breastfeeding struggles. She is very supportive and encouraging and gave me confidence as a first-time mama.”

    -Ruth

  • “I consider breastfeeding one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face as a new mom. I started to see a lactation consultant from the beginning who was helpful. But it was really Melanie who finally figured out what the problem was. She’s so knowledgeable, kind, and offered to visit us in the comfort of our home. She did an oral assessment and weight before and after feeding. Plus watched me nurse my baby and let me know what she thought the problem was. She taught me different positions of breastfeeding and supported us every step of the way. If it wasn’t for her — being a working mom, I wouldn’t still be nursing my five-month-old daughter.”

    -Parisa B.

  • “Melanie was really incredible as a resource to me with my 2-month premature infant. She’s definitely the kind of lactation consultant you want there when you are struggling through those first days (& months) of mommyhood. I can’t thank her enough for all her help and advice on breastfeeding, infant sleep, self-care, stress relief, concerns about vaccination-related issues, encouragement to trust your motherly instinct, etc. I can’t say enough good things about Melanie!”

    -Laura W.