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EXPERT Spotlight

Melissa Kotlen, BA, BSN, RN, IBCLC

Melissa Kotlen has spent more than 22 years helping mothers navigate breastfeeding, pumping, nipple pain and soreness, latch questions, milk supply concerns, and the emotional side of feeding a baby. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), a Registered Nurse (RN), and a former Labor and Delivery Nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Over the years, Melissa has supported thousands of mothers in private practice, hospital settings, classrooms, support groups, and volunteer spaces. She has also been there personally as a mom of three. That mix of clinical experience and real motherhood is why her guidance feels so practical. She understands that postpartum care is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about getting the support, tools, and reassurance you need to move through each day with a little more comfort.

Written by Melissa Kotlen

3 articles

What an IBCLC Wants New Moms to Know About Postpartum & Early Feeding

What an IBCLC Wants New Moms to Know About Postpartum & Early Feeding

Postpartum is more than the first few days after birth. It is a full transition involving physical recovery, emotional changes, feeding routines, and a new identity. In this expert-backed guide, IBCLC and RN Melissa Kotlen explains what new moms can expect in the early postpartum weeks, why breastfeeding or pumping may feel difficult at first, and how small comfort tools can make feeding feel gentler. The article also covers sore nipple care, postpartum recovery stations, when to reach out for professional support, and practical Momcozy nipple care options for different feeding needs.

1 min read