Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaytee Crawford IBCLC, CD, CPE, DBB, LC.
Hi Kaytee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve wanted to be a lactation consultant since my first baby was little back in 2011. Like many new parents, I was navigating unfamiliar terrain — learning as I went, and realizing how much compassionate, evidence-based support can change an experience. Add in the fact that there weren’t many people who looked like me in those spaces and I was geared up to represent my community in the ways I could.
Fast forward to 2015, when I was pregnant with my third child. I hoped for an unmedicated birth with a doula after two medicated ones, and I did all the research and preparation I could. But due to medical complications and the environment in which I gave birth, it became a profoundly traumatic experience. That moment reshaped me — it lit a fire to help other parents feel seen, supported, and safe in their own birth and feeding stories.
In 2019, I began my path as a birth doula, which soon evolved into a full-spectrum doula and lactation support practice. Along the way, I found incredible mentors, pursued additional lactation education, and began working toward becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). When my fourth baby arrived in 2020, I was also introduced to Craniosacral Therapy (CST) — another powerful modality that deepened my understanding of how the body, oral function, and breast/chestfeeding all work together.
In 2023, I officially became both an IBCLC and a Certified Craniosacral Therapist. Since then, I’ve continued advanced education in oral function and integrative lactation care, combining science and compassion to support families in real, sustainable ways. My approach draws on both professional training and personal experience—I nursed all four of my children through nearly seven collective years of feeding highs and lows, and I understand firsthand how connection often matters more than perfection.
Today, I own and operate Twin Cities Lactation LLC, an integrative lactation and manual therapy private practice based in St. Paul. Through my one-on-one work, community classes, and self-developed courses, I support families in building confidence, connection, and trust in their own instincts. I also teach professionals and speak publicly on CST and lactation. I live in St. Paul with my husband of 15 years, where we’re raising our four wild, wonderful boys.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it has been deeply meaningful. Working in birth and lactation—especially as a Black and queer perinatal professional—means navigating burnout, emotional labor, and the reality of supporting families within systems that often overlook postpartum care in my communities. There were seasons when I was balancing motherhood, IBCLC training, and building my practice during a pandemic. It stretched me, but it also clarified my purpose and reminded me that I was called to this work. It’s part of my birthright.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to hold space for others while also holding space for myself. This work is profoundly emotional, and I’ve learned that you really can’t pour from an empty cup. Creating boundaries, allowing rest, and leaning on community have all become essential parts of sustaining this work which has been a hard, but needed lesson to learn.
As you know, we’re big fans of Twin Cities Lactation. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Twin Cities Lactation LLC is an integrative lactation and manual therapy practice rooted in the belief that feeding is connection—not performance. My work blends lactation consulting, Craniosacral Therapy, and oral function support to help families experience feeding that feels comfortable, confident, and connected.
I specialize in infant feeding challenges that often go beyond the basics—things like painful latching, body tension (overall and specific areas), assessing oral function for restrictions/ties, and feeding difficulties that are both functional and emotional including bottle feeding issues. My approach combines evidence-based lactation care with gentle bodywork, helping babies and parents find ease together. I also don’t believe in gate-keeping comfort, so I enjoy teaching parents techniques to soothe their own babies.
What sets my practice apart is the holistic and relationship-centered lens I bring to every visit. I don’t just look at the latch—I look at the whole story: the birthing parent’s recovery, the baby’s body and nervous system, the emotional landscape of feeding, and the family dynamic that surrounds it all.
Beyond private practice, I’m passionate about education. I teach classes and self-paced courses for both parents and professionals, including my signature program Connection Over Perfection™—a philosophy and e-course that helps families release pressure, trust their instincts, and reconnect to the joy of feeding and parenting.
Overall, I’m most proud that Twin Cities Lactation has become known for inclusivity, warmth, and honesty. My goal is to make every family feel seen and supported—no matter how they feed, who they are, or what their story looks like. I want folks to know that they don’t have to do it “right.” They just have to do it together.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson has been understanding my limits and respecting them. This work is deeply emotional, and learning to ask for help, create boundaries, and slow down when needed is making me a better provider and a better parent.
Pricing:
- $280 for initial lactation consults
- $240 for follow up lactation consults
- $130 Craniosacral Therapy for infants
- Sliding scale available!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.twincitieslactation.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/twincitieslactation
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/twincitieslactation
