CHAYA LIGHTEN

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Lactation Consultant
Edison, New Jersey
20 years of experience
About me

From the start of my career as a Physician Assistant, I was drawn to pediatrics and the mother-baby dyad. My PA journey kicked off on the pediatric ward at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY, where I was completely captivated by caring for children and families. Then, life brought me to Central NJ, where I had the opportunity to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, caring for some of the tiniest, most vulnerable patients. I became a board-certified lactation consultant and was thrilled to offer lactation consultations and make a real difference for new parents and babies. Bringing together my neonatal and pediatric medical experience with lactation and breastfeeding medicine has been incredibly rewarding! I’m proud to be board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. But I didn’t stop there—I went on to get a Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland, and I’ve continued to push myself to learn and grow in every way possible. I’ve trained in advanced bodywork techniques, including craniosacral therapy (CST) through the Upledger Institute and the Barnes Myofascial Release method. I’ve also attended the Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad course three times! Continuing education is a constant for me because I believe there’s always more to learn when it comes to helping families. I have 2 locations, in Edison and Brick, NJ and have focused on creating a collaborative practice which includes other specialists as well. Whether it’s kayaking, biking, or tending to our organic and medicinal garden, my family and I like finding new ways to stay active and connected with nature.

Education

Physician Assistant Studies, B.S. (2000)

Master's of Healthcare Administration (2010)

Certification and training

IBCLC (2009)

Memberships and affiliations

American Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

United States Lactation Consultant Association

NJ State Society of Physician Assistants

Credentials
IBCLC PA
Specialties
Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Consultation Breastfeeding Support General Pediatrics Lactation Consultation Latch Issues Low Milk Supply/Over Supply Multiples Nipple and Breast Pain Oral Dysfunction Parenting Postpartum Life Premature Infants Prenatal Lactation Education Telehealth
Languages

English

Accepted insurances
Aetna Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Cigna UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare Community Plan UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Service introduction

I offer breastfeeding medicine and lactation consultations. This includes painful latch, low milk supply, tongue and lip tie diagnosis and oral habilitation, plugged ducts, preemies, multiples, breast or bottle refusal and prenatal and back-to-work preparation. I also offer bodywork, such as craniosacral therapy and myofascial therapy. I can also order medicines imaging and lab-work when necessary. We can do therapeutic ultrasounds for persistent plugged ducts as well.

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