Meet Our Team
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Meet Our Team *
Mary Stanley, RN, IBCLC, RLC is a Registered Nurse and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. She has lived and worked in Bakersfield for many years. She was educated at San Jose State University. She introduced childbirth education to this community in the 1970’s and has spent her entire professional career in maternal-child health, specializing in“birth, babies, and breastfeeding.” She taught childbirth education and breastfeeding classes for over 30 years. She obtained her IBCLC credential in 1996. She has worked as an OB staff nurse, manager, clinical coordinator, clinical instructor for student nurses, neonatal resuscitation instructor, and mentor for mother/baby support groups. She is currently active as an independent lactation consultant and professional volunteer support for Baby Café. She is a member of CVLA, LaCresta Foundation, USLCA, and ILCA. Her special interest in lactation support is helping mothers and babies navigate the sometimes-challenging early days & weeks of establishing their breastfeeding relationship. She also has extensive experience supporting breastfeeding multiples, babies with Down Syndrome, cleft lip & palate, and other special needs. She has been married to the “boy next door” for over 50 years, has 4 adult children, and 10 grandchildren.
Mary Stanley, RN, IBCLC
What Baby Café means to me: “What we do DOES make a difference in the lives of mothers and babies.”
Leslie Bloomquist, RN, IBCLC
“Breastfeeding is about strengthening, encouraging, and supporting the most important connection for humans.”
In Loving Memory of our beloved friend
Diana McKenna, IBCLC
1967-2025
What Baby Café means to me: “A good beginning.”
What Diana meant to us: As a friend, colleague, and member of the Baby Café Bakersfield team, Diana was a gift to all who had the privilege to meet her. Diana’s knowledge about the practice of medicine, gleaned from her time as a practicing neonatologist in Lithuania, integrated easily with her more recent learning about human lactation. She considered becoming an IBCLC to be a great honor, and she maintained her credential with pride.
Diana’s smile helped new mothers feel at ease when they arrived at Baby Café for the first time, and her attentiveness while listening to their stories and their needs was simply beautiful. Diana brought lightness, joy, and a wicked sense of humor into every room.
Diana always ensured that her own family was invested in the success of Baby Café, and her generosity was of tremendous benefit to our mission.
Diana’s spirit lives on in the work and mission of serving mothers and babies at Baby Café Bakersfield, and we cherish our memories of her.
Christine Staricka, IBCLC
What Baby Café means to me: “Hope, ideas, and community around breastfeeding.”
Christine Staricka is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, health writer, and trained childbirth educator.
Christine is the author of the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours.
Christine has over 24 years of experience providing clinical lactation care in a wide variety of settings, including 10 years in local Bakersfield hospitals, and she writes a blog and hosts a podcast, both under the name Evolve Lactation.
Christine is a Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Phoenix. She has been married for 31 years, lives in California, and is the proud mother of 3 amazing daughters.
You can find more information about Christine and access free resources and downloads at www.ChristineStaricka.com.
