About Willow Merchant

28+

years as a nurse

OR +

nationwide telehealth

5.0 ★

8 Google reviews

Willow is a Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Certified Trauma Specialist with nearly three decades of nursing experience. Based in Bend, Oregon, her practice focuses on Trauma-Informed Prenatal and Postpartum Lactation Consultation and Support — combining evidence-based feeding guidance with nervous system support and trauma-informed care.

She believes feeding challenges are rarely just about the latch. Healing the nervous system, addressing birth trauma, and supporting the whole family are often the missing pieces. In addition to lactation consults, Willow offers in-home postpartum doula support — for those situations where you wish you could take your lactation consultant home with you.

Over the years, Willow has taught breastfeeding classes and staff development in Family Birthing Centers, and she continues to share her curriculum with new parents and professionals alike. Through Emerging Hearts Collective, she also offers women's circles, coaching, and retreats.

All families welcome.

Willow Merchant works with breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and co-nursing families — including transgender and non-binary parents. Every family deserves evidence-based care without judgement.

Credentials & training

✓International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

✓Registered Nurse (RN) — 28+ years, licensed in OR, CA & ID

✓Nurse Coach, Board Certified

✓Certified Trauma Transformation Specialist

✓Certified Doula

✓Certified Childbirth Educator

✓Certified Infant Massage Instructor

✓Master of Circle Facilitator

✓Certified HeartMath Clinician

✓Reiki Master Teacher

✓Maternal Mortality Review Board, OHA

How I work

No shame, no pressure, no one-size-fits-all scripts. Every consult starts with your story and ends with a written plan you can actually follow — with a follow-up check-in built in.

Teaching & education

Willow has spent years teaching breastfeeding classes and staff development in Family Birthing Centers. She brings that educator's perspective to every consult — breaking down complex physiology into practical, actionable steps you can use at home.

Breastfeeding class instructorStaff development trainerFamily Birthing Center experience