BreastfeedingSupport Services

Dee Kassing, BS, MLS, IBCLC, RLC

Professional knowledge, Mother's experience

About Me

Dee's headshot

I have always liked science and puzzles. My Bachelor’s degree is in biology with a minor in chemistry, and I have a Master’s in Library Science. I breastfed both of my children, with a few challenges that have given me an appreciation for how hard some mothers have to work to make breastfeeding go well. I have been working with breastfeeding mothers for more than 30 years. I have been a La Leche League Leader since 1986. I love the challenge of figuring out why a mother and baby are having a difficult time with their breastfeeding experience, so I kept learning more and more about the technical aspects of lactation. I became an IBCLC in 1994 and opened my private practice in 1995. I have worked as an IBCLC in a hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and on a hospital postpartum floor.

I have experience with a vast array of breastfeeding situations. My specialty is sucking and latch-on problems. My article, “Bottle-feeding as a Tool to Reinforce Breastfeeding”, was voted the Most Useful Article of the Year 2002 by readers of Journal of Human Lacation. The Kassing Method of Bottle-feeding is now used worldwide. I have also written “Breastfeeding and CranioSacral Therapy: When It Can Help.” I have had articles published in La Leche League International’s Leaven, Illinois La Leche League’s Spice Shelf, Illinois Department of Public Health’s Breastfeeding Topics, and local parenting magazines.

I enjoy teaching others about breastfeeding. I have presented various breastfeeding education sessions at the International Lactation Consultants Association Conference; the La Leche League International Conference; numerous La Leche League Area Conferences; various breastfeeding coalition conferences, workshops and meetings; Illinois WIC Conferences; and in-service workshops at hospitals. I also teach WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors.

"Just wanted to say thanks so much for all of your help and encouragement. You obviously understand and appreciate all the joys and pains of motherhood and breastfeeding. Even more so, you have been a great encouragement to my family and me in providing hope for something we value so much." -T.M.

My Affiliations

International Lactation Consultant Association/US Lactation Consultant Association: I serve as Secretary of local chapter Lactation Consultants of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Edwardsville Region Breastfeeding Task Force: I serve as Secretary and Conference Chair.

La Leche League International: I am a La Leche League Leader and serve as an Assistant Area Professional Liaison (AAPL) for Illinois La Leche League. AAPLs provide information to other Leaders about technical breastfeeding issues.

"Almost a year ago my husband and I brought our daughter to you out of pure desperation as I was having so much trouble breastfeeding her and was in constant pain. You guided us to [doctor] who took care of her posterior tongue tie and lip tie. I was laying here nursing my almost 1 year old and felt the need to thank you for what you do! I certainly would have given up had it not been for your help. Breastfeeding has been the biggest blessing to both my daughter and I. I wish I could go back to me then with a 5 day old fussy baby and reassure myself that soon it would be so easy I could nurse in public without a cover like it was nothing. It’s so funny how at the beginning my goals were to take it day by day and now at close to a year she is showing no signs of weaning any time soon and that is a ok with me!! Thank you for helping moms and babies." -K.D.