SARAH HAND, RN, BSN, IBCLC, CKC, CCE, PHM-C

Sarah Hand, RN, BSN, IBCLC, CKC, CCE, PHM-C, has dedicated her career to supporting mothers, babies, and families through maternal-child health, breastfeeding support, childbirth education, and perinatal mental health. As a Maternal Child Health Nurse for the City of Bangor, Maine, Sarah draws on her experience in labor and delivery, postpartum care, public health, and as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to meet the diverse needs of the families she serves.

Sarah’s commitment to her community extends beyond her work in public health. In 2023, she founded Milk & Cookies, Bangor’s Postpartum & Breastfeeding Support Group, a welcoming community where mothers can find connection, compassion, clinical breastfeeding support, and a village to navigate motherhood alongside. Since its launch, the group has welcomed more than 1,000 attendees, including families who travel from as far as an hour away.

At Milk & Cookies, mothers receive support for infant feeding and early parenthood, while also building friendships, gaining confidence, and learning practical strategies for motherhood. Sarah’s dedication to fostering connection inspired her to expand the Milk & Cookies community by opening the Milk & Cookies Lactation Clinic in 2025. She currently co-leads the programs with her fellow RN and IBCLC, Sarah Lowe. Together, the Sarahs—as they’re known locally—have held over 200 clinic appointments for local families.

For Sarah, the most meaningful part of this work is seeing how connection and support can change a mother’s postpartum experience. She regularly hears from families about the lasting impact of the support they received through Milk & Cookies, reminding her why this work matters. As Sarah shares, “When mamas tell me this group saved them from postpartum depression, it hits you right to your core. And fuels me to keep building this resource.”

Sarah believes that supporting mothers through breastfeeding and lactation challenges can have an impact that reaches far beyond the feeding journey itself. She sees the confidence, resilience, and endurance mothers develop through these experiences as tools they can carry with them throughout parenthood. “A mama who has successfully navigated lactation and breastfeeding challenges is empowered to conquer her future parenting hurdles, equipped with confidence and endurance. Breastfeeding is so much more than filling an infant’s stomach; it’s life-giving to both mother and baby.”

Through her clinical expertise, community leadership, and dedication to creating meaningful connections, Sarah is helping to ensure that families in Bangor and surrounding communities know they do not have to navigate early parenthood alone.
CHEER celebrates Sarah Hand for her dedication to strengthening maternal and child health, expanding access to breastfeeding and postpartum support, and building a compassionate community where mothers and families can thrive.