Heather MacLean, RN, is a Certified Breastfeeding Consultant and a leading breastfeeding advocate in New York’s mid-Hudson Valley.  She has provided answers to questions and concerns of many readers at the Real Savvy Moms website.

MacLean is the producer of “Nursing Mothers Welcome,” a widely known, multicultural DVD now in its fifth (2007) edition.  Begun in 1989, this wordless video features the timeless music of Beethoven and shows how easy and comfortable it can be to breastfeed discreetly in public, thereby encouraging and empowering mothers to do so.

MacLean’s orientation to caring, teaching and service is evident in her work history.   She has worked as a Registered Nurse in a wide variety of settings for 15 years.  She was the occupational health manager at Gateway Community Industries, where she helped people with disabilities learn to become employable.  She was house nurse for a United Cerebral Palsy facility and the Ulster Green Agency of Retarded Citizens.  She has served as a nurse on every ward at the Hudson River Psychiatric Center.  She has also worked as a field nurse for Family Partnership of Poughkeepsie and has served in various home care capacities, including hospice.

MacLean’s work as an educator ranges from teaching courses in medication certification and blood-borne pathogens, to training YWCA childcare instructors in breastfeeding.  She served as a Girl Scout leader for four years, and created a program for children aged 18 months to three years called Young Children’s Weekly Adventure.  Heather has developed educational presentations for adults and students of all ages, including a myth-busting curriculum on breastfeeding geared to middle and high school classes.  

MacLean’s “Nursing Mothers Welcome” is an approved title of the La Leche League (1993) and the federal Women and Infant Children (WIC) program.  In fact, the New York State WIC recently ordered 250 copies for use throughout their organization.  The DVD, "Nursing Mothers Welcome is currently used by several hospitals in their birthing centers, including Benedictine, Kingston and Northern Dutchess hospitals.  The DVD is also growing in popularity in the libraries and classes of local chapters of the La Leche League.  As it is wordless, it presents no language barrier for viewers.  It is being proposed for government adoption in Mexico, and is used by a La Leche League in Puerto Rico and by a visiting nurse in Japan.

MacLean’s work has been featured in several publications, including in Healthy Living and Resonance magazines, as well as the Ulster County Press and the Saugerties Times.  She received her B.S. in Family Health from the State University of New York Empire State College, and her Associate Degree in Nursing from Dutchess Community College

MacLean is the mother of four daughters, all of whom she breastfed.   She has six grandchildren, all breastfed as well.  She lives in NY's Hudson Valley, at the foot of the Catskill Mountains.  She is creating a collaborative effort to promote the inclusion of breastfeeding scenes in major motion pictures so it becomes a familiar sight.  It is her goal to help society to be comfortable and supportive of breastfeeding.