Ribbon cutting celebrated for local birth and breastfeeding experts

Marylou Tietz and Geri Fitzgerald celebrated the grand opening of their new local business, Babies, Birth and Breastfeeding: Classes and Consultations in Childbirth, Baby Care and Breastfeeding. The combination meet-and-greet and ribbon-cutting event held May 3 at Bethany Station featured entertainment, door prizes, refreshments and a drawing for free classes and consultations.

With decades of experience between them, Fitzgerald and Tietz have joined forces to provide an array of services to expectant and new parents in the Delmarva area. “We’re excited to be able to launch this initiative to improve maternal infant outcomes in Delaware and support moms and families as they launch their own new ones,” said Fitzgerald.

As a lactation consultant and pediatric nurse practitioner with 45 years' experience in maternal and child health, Fitzgerald provides expert advice and consultation to families with newborn and young infants with feeding problems, especially breastfeeding. “Home visiting adds a personal touch for people who would prefer not to go to a busy doctor's office when their baby is newborn,” she said.

Tietz, a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator with over 30 years of experience, now offers group and private classes. “People are always having babies. Birth is a growth industry,” she said with a laugh. In addition to her extensive experience teaching Lamaze, Tietz is also certified as a labor support specialist/doula as well as being trained in hypnobirthing. “Our goal is to promote healthy babies through evidence-based education.”

For more information on their services, contact Geri Fitzgerald, CPNP, IBCLC at 240-605-6696 or Marylou C. Tietz, LCCE, FACCE at 240-602-5539.