Allison Tolman

IBCLC | Breast Pump Expert | Nurse | Coach

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I started my career as a nurse, I never thought I’d be where I am today. Not everyone is so lucky to KNOW their passion and know where they fit into the world. A beautiful career as an OBGYN nurse led me to lactation counseling. A love for teaching and helping new mothers, along with the birth of my first child, began my journey as a birth doula.

Now, 15 years later, I have combined my passion for learning, teaching, and serving into helping new mothers and families navigate their way through breastfeeding and pumping to return to work and successfully meet their breastfeeding goals!

Being a military spouse has opened my eyes to the world and the variety of ways that one thing can be accomplished! I find true joy in helping families meet their individual goals with respect to their unique circumstances, dynamics, religion, or culture.

I am a scientist at heart, and love to find and create research to objectively answer questions. Working with an engineer I created the "Boobie Barometer" and have tested nearly 100 breast pumps and counting! I love compiling data and helping mothers pump more efficiently!

I am passionate about my work and helping families, not only where I am located (which is always changing #militarylife), but all over the online world. Seeing the success and challenges of growing families drives me to learn more, share more, and explore new options!

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As featured in the Washington Post...

Using a breastpump used to require privacy. Not anymore.

When others ask me why I do what I do, I think they expect me to say, “Because I love babies!"

Babies are wonderful but...

I really do what I do because I love mothers.

The transformation a woman goes through during pregnancy and into motherhood is an incredible process, but it often comes with fears, anxieties, and doubts. It doesn’t have to be so daunting.

My goal is to help the experience become easier and more relaxed for you.

 

We don't have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.”– Brené Brown

What does New Little Life do?

  • The Pumping for Working Moms Coaching Program is our main focus as we LOVE supporting career-driven mothers. Join us if you're looking to pump fast and efficiently while managing a baby, career, and your life.
  • You can enjoy free content on the New Little Life YouTube Channel EVERY WEEK! Content focused on breast pumps, pumping, and supporting working moms.
  • The New Little Life Podcast is currently on to Season 3! Get lost in stories of other breastfeeding, pumping, working mothers and professionals that support them.
  • Find more personal and daily content on Instagram! Also, don't miss a great community in our Facebook group. (YouTube is still our main platform!)
  • The Pumping for Lactation Professionals Course is LIVE! If you're an IBCLC looking for the most indepth pumping education available, you'll find it here with New Little Life.
  • We're also going to keep collecting and testing breast pumps! We'll share this info on the YouTube channel but it's available in full inside our coaching and training programs.

Allison's Licenses and Certifications

IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

ICD - Internationally Certified Birth Doula

LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse

ICE - Certified International Childbirth Educator

SBD - Certified Stillbirth and Bereavement Doula

HCHD - Hypnobabies Certified Hypno-Doula

Also certified/trained in:

Rebozo – with Gena Kirby

Spinning Babies

Placenta Encapsulation (No longer offering this service)

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Official Red Cross Volunteer and Mom2Mom Shape Chapter Director

Previous CPR/First Aid Instructor with the Red Cross.

Allison Tolman is requested frequently to be a guest at conferences, on podcasts, in videos, writing guest blog posts, and more. Not only is she considered an expert in the breast pump area of the lactation field, she has also built a successful business to help working mothers meet their breastfeeding goals! Here is a list of places you can find Allison other than on the typical New Little Life platforms!

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As seen on...

YouTube video with Alice Turner

Doula | Childbirth Educator

Breastfeeding Expert and IBCLC, Allison Tolman of @New Little Life by Allison reveals some of the worst breastfeeding advice. Not all advice is equal and sometimes the is really bad advice about breastfeeding.

YouTube video - Authority Accelerator Review

I got to talk with my business coach, who also enrolled in my program! Such a great conversation with Sunny Lenarduzzi and I'm so grateful for the blueprint she gave me to launch the Pumping for Working Moms Program and help mothers all over the world.

YouTube Interview - Finding Genius Podcast

Helping working mothers develop healthy breastfeeding - This video is also available on their podcast

YouTube video with Sarah Mitchell

Infant Sleep Expert

Allison Tolman from @New Little Life by Allison is a Lactation Consultant who helps new mothers and families navigate their way through breastfeeding and pumping. Today, she has something to share about her experience with sleep training & working with Dr.Sarah Mitchell. Watch the video to know about what was her 3 biggest hesitations with sleep training.

YouTube video with Alice Turner

Doula | Childbirth Educator

First 24 hours of breastfeeding can be a challenge. Allison Tolman from @New Little Life by Allison joins in a discussion about this time in your breastfeeding journey.

YouTube video review for my business coach!

The Authority Accelerator Program (by Sunny Lenarduzzi) review by Allison Tolman, Lactation Consultant for Working Moms

Published Works

Exploratory research on comparing breast pumps: Using data to objectively evaluate pump qualities.

2023

An article in the peer-reviewed journal, Clinical Lactation, presenting the preliminary data gathered from the BPVMS (The Boobie Barometer) and how it relates to breast pump evaluation, selection, and performance. 


 

Speaking Engagements

Recent and Upcoming

Journée Internationale de l'Allaitement

November 2024 - Paris, France

Breastpump Expert and IBCLC, Allison Tolman, is scheduled to give a presentation on Providing Practical Support for Pumping Mothers (in English) as well as assisting with individual breast pump education for the LLL leaders.

North Dakota Breastfeeding Coalition - Keynote Speaker

Jamestown, ND | September 2024

Breastpump Expert and IBCLC, Allison Tolman, gave two presentations on The Science of Breast Pumps and Providing Practical Support for Pumping Parents to 100+ members of the state breastfeeding coalition. 

Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition - Keynote Speaker

Twin Falls, ID | June 20-21, 2024

Breastpump Expert and IBCLC, Allison Tolman, gave two presentations on The Science of Breast Pumps and Providing Practical Support for Pumping Parents as well as set up a "Breast Pump Zoo" with 30+ pumps to touch and explore!

GOLD Lactation Conference 2023

Virtual | April 3-June 30, 2023

The overwhelming amount of breast pumps on the market and lack of evidence-based pumping research make it difficult for both parents and professionals to know how to choose and use breast pumps effectively. After conducting pilot testing on over 50 breast pumps with a custom designed Breast Pump Vacuum Monitoring System, we will use the graphs and data gathered to better understand the differences between pumps and which are most effective for specific pumping scenarios. We will dive into the science of breast pumps, the practical use of different types of pumps, and clinical aspects of counseling pumping parents.

USLCA conference

USCLA Conference 2022

Norfolk, VA | September 22-24, 2022

Breastpump Expert and IBCLC, Allison Tolman, provides a break-out session during the USCLA Breastfeeding Conference titled Understanding Breastpumps. Learn the basics of breast pumps, view graphs and data on popular pumps, and discover how to help your clients choose the best breast pump for them. Register here

Breastfeeding in the Bay State Annual Conference 2022

Virtual | October 3-4, 2022

Breastpump Expert and IBCLC, Allison Tolman, provides a break-out session during the Breastfeeding in the Bay State Annual Conference titled Understanding Breastpumps. Learn the basics of breast pumps, view graphs and data on popular pumps, and discover how to help your clients choose the best breast pump for them. 

Now scheduling a LIMITED number of in-person conferences only for 2024

Months already scheduled are June, September, October, and November. More details to come!

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Are you looking for a lactation consultant and breast pump expert to be a guest on a podcast, video, blog, social media LIVE, conference event, private panel, etc?

Let's work together!
Send me an email at allison@newlittlelife.com