Welcome to Pura Vida Lactation & more, LLC! I'm Cristi Garfield — a NICU Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Lactation Counselor, Babywearing Educator, and Infant Massage Coach with over a decade of experience supporting families from birth to 21.

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Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs (GO BIRDS! 🦅), I completed my Master's at Loyola University Maryland, then made my way through Philly and DC before landing back in Baltimore — where it all began, and where I'm happy to now call home.

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I've worked across acute and subacute hospitals, outpatient clinics, early intervention, and school-based settings — but my heart found its home in the NICU and pediatric settings, where I discovered just how much families need one trusted person in their corner. Even with my CLC certification, my own breastfeeding journey with my now six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son opened my eyes to just how hard this really is — and how much support matters, regardless of what you think you know.

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When I'm not in the NICU or supporting a family, you'll find me chasing my kids, supporting my husband's basketball teams, cooking, walking the dog, at the YMCA, or heading back to my hometown to visit family and friends. Those who know me would say I'm the friend who checks in just to say hi — and shows up when it counts.

​​I can't wait to be that person for you. 🤍