Meet Your IBCLC in the Finger Lakes

Meet your lactation consultant

Hi! I’m Ellen Pavlacka, IBCLC, PCD(DONA)

It’s an absolute privilege to support families at every stage of their breastfeeding and infant feeding journeys—from prenatal through weaning and everything in between.

Nursing my first child was an incredibly eye-opening journey experiencing just how many emotions, logistics and challenges are involved in feeding a baby! This spawned a journey to become trained as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and before returning to my roots in New York, I spent hundreds of hours working in both hospital and outpatient settings in Philadelphia. During that time, I partnered with many diverse families facing a wide range of feeding challenges.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, chestfeeding, pumping, relactating, or formula feeding, I am committed to finding solutions that meet your unique needs. I believe support should be personalized, respectful, and rooted in your real-life circumstances.

What drives me most is a deep love for listening and problem-solving together. I’m here to ensure you feel seen, understood, and confident in your feeding choices.

I’m also a bit of a lactation science nerd—there’s something truly magical about the way our bodies and babies work together!

If you’re looking for a partner on your feeding journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Let’s connect and create a plan that works for you and your family.

What Clients Are Saying

"Hospital lactation staff literally told me they’d never heard of (engorgement) symptoms like mine before, but after one virtual session with Ellen I felt validated and more set up for success than ever. She kept in mind my prior experience (oversupply/mastitis 5x) and had tons of gentle tools/techniques to recommend that have been so effective - she helped me clear a clogged duct and prevent it from progressing to mastitis! At the same time I appreciate her careful approach to not diminish my supply too much. Ellen is very reachable and responsive and has a kind, sympathetic approach. After one session I feel a million times more seen/understood & set up for success than with my previous experiences with the handful of different IBCLCs I saw with my first child. Book your appointment now; you and your baby will be so thankful to have Ellen’s expert care and support for your breastfeeding journey!"

Charis H.

"After nine months of nursing my baby, I started having sharp pain while nursing on one side. I reached out to Ellen and she quickly realized I had an inflamed Montgomery gland. She offered easy to follow guidance and tips that had me back to nursing pain free within a few days! She offers advice with such warmth and kindness and is such an invaluable support no matter where you are on your breastfeeding journey. I absolutely recommend her!"

Hannah N.

"Ellen really listened to me. She understood why I wanted to begin the relactating process, supported me and my decision, and helped me come up with an easy and realistic plan for my journey."

Megan B.

"I started working with Ellen 3 days postpartum with my second baby. I thought that I would have had it figured out with my second, but that certainly wasn’t the case. The moment I reached out to Ellen, I felt heard and reassured. When she came to my home, her quiet confidence made me feel immediately at ease. I knew I was in good hands. She never pushed me, with no other goal than to support MY goal. Her care, attentiveness, expertise, and professionalism when it came to handling me and my baby made me near tears! (Not surprising since I was postpartum haha) I wish I had her with my first baby! Ellen came along side a very difficult journey postpartum and helped me as I needed. Reaching out to a lactation consultant, or anyone postpartum, can be very intimidating. You feel like you might be judged or forced into a routine that you didn’t sign up for. This was not my experience with Ellen whatsoever! If you are newly postpartum OR expecting working with Ellen will make your journey that much easier and better!!"

Jody O.

"Ellen was so great, she met me in a location she covers so I could get the help and reassurance I had been looking for with my 12 week old. She even covered bottle feeding with my sister who will be the sitter while at work. Ellen did not brush off my concerns and explained to me the things that I felt needed to be addressed long ago but were brushed off as I am a nurse. I hope more women reach out and know Ellen will make you feel comfortable as soon as she and her big home-visit bags walk into the door."

Alice R.