Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, CD

Christy was born in Carmel, California, but moved to Idaho where she lived until graduating from high school.  Her love for the Pacific Coast brought her back to southern California for college, and she continued to reside in the sunny state while teaching English and administrating for over fifteen years.  When she and her husband decided to start a family, she wanted to be a MOM rather than a CEO.
Christy quickly realized her children were her first priority, and anyone could be hired to replace her in any job—except parenting, so she gave up her lectern for a rocking chair.  Christy became passionate about helping women breastfeed after she delivered her third child and found out how difficult it was to obtain lactation help.  She had a desire to empower other women to have the birth and breastfeeding experiences they desired.  When a part-time Public Health Educator position became available, Christy jumped at the chance to serve her community by propagating the message, "Moms were designed to breastfeed."

One of Christy's first creations was the popular "Lego Stack." While at home pondering all the ingredients in breastmilk, she began constructing a 3D display comparing formula ingredients to breastmilk ingredients. This learning tool is circulating the globe, being used in hospitals, public health campaigns and breastfeeding clinics everywhere.  See an interactive display of Christy's Lego stack atTexas WIC's website.

Christy became an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2008 after she had acquired over 5,000 hours working one-on-one with postpartum moms.  As Christy continued assisting moms, they conveyed to her that their birth experiences were disappointing or unfulfilling.  On a mission to advocate for women and to protect their birth experiences, Christy earned her Doula certification through DONA and is pursuing her postpartum Doula training through CAPPA.

Christy continues her work supporting and educating others about breastfeeding through the Grow Our Own IBCLC curriculum she developed.  It has been used to educate over 300 women throughout California.  She currently teaches the CLE CAPPA Training, attends births, facilitates lactation clinics, educates through speaking engagements and advocates for women in southern California, where she lives with her husband and three children.