Bidding Nikki Lee ‘Thanks, Good-bye, and Good Luck’

The New Year brought the great news that Nikki Lee, IBCLC, RN, MS, RLC, CCE, CIMI, has accepted a new full-time position as lactation consultant to the Philadelphia Health Department.  We congratulate Nikki as she takes on new and exciting responsibilities.  Sadly, however, Philadelphia’s gain is our loss.  Because of her greatly expanded duties, Nikki will no longer have time to teach in the UI&U MCH/LC program.  We are very sorry to lose one of our most talented and demanding teachers.

Nikki started her professional life as a nurse in the intensive care units of Bellevue Hospital, New York City, in 1971. After the birth of her first daughter in 1975, her interest in breastfeeding bloomed.  She worked with breastfeeding mothers when she was a public health nurse, and she was librarian for her local La Leche League chapter. Her passion for mothers and babies was unleashed in full at Booth Maternity Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   Since 1986, Nikki has made mothers and babies the focus of her career. The birth of her second daughter in 1990 only strengthened her dedication.

Nikki is a childbirth educator, a lactation consultant, an infant massage instructor, a cranio-sacral therapist, a researcher, a writer, and a public speaker. She has been a film reviews editor for the Journal of Human Lactation since 1994.  Her publications include “Benefits of Breastfeeding and Their Economic Impact,” “How to Help Yourself Through Labor,” and “Sexuality and Breastfeeding.” As the first lactation consultant for the Philadelphia Health Department, she wrote a breastfeeding promotion policy, organized a task force, created a breastfeeding resource guide, and developed a work plan.

Among Nikki’s many other interests, music claims a prime place.  She currently plays guitar in the old-time band Nine-Pound Hammer, and also with the Virginia-based Fluvanna Gals. She has made several recordings, including many featuring her husband, Rafe Stefanini, on fiddle with Nikki providing guitar back-up on some tunes.  Her latest instrument is the bodhrán, the Irish traditional drum.    At the Orlando conference in January, Nikki and Bill Williams found time to hammer out a few jigs and reels.