Community building, mutual support, and the fight for justice have been central to Carling’s work and life. Though their activism has evolved since becoming a solo parent, Carling remains deeply rooted in networks of care, friendship, and collective resilience — the very foundations that keep them grounded, engaged, and committed. Carling believes passionately in a world where everyone has what they need to thrive. They are happiest when surrounded by loved ones, spending time outdoors hiking, swimming, camping, and sharing meals.

For nine years, Carling served as a full-spectrum doula in Baltimore, co-founding The Baltimore Doula Project and coordinating programs there for six years. Through their work as a birth and postpartum doula, Carling gained extensive experience supporting families with chestfeeding and breastfeeding. Their dedication to infant feeding support deepened after the birth of their own child, inspiring them to pursue certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Recognizing that the on-call demands of doula work were no longer sustainable as a solo parent, Carling embraced lactation work as a way to continue offering personalized, one-on-one care.

Carling understands that feeding a baby is not a one-time event — it happens many, many times each day, often for years. Much like with fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth, many modern cultures do not provide regular exposure to chestfeeding and breastfeeding. As a result, most families in the U.S. must actively seek out education and support. Carling’s role is to serve as a calm, comforting, and knowledgeable guide, helping families navigate their feeding needs and challenges with confidence.

Carling is particularly passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ families, solo parents, and non-traditional family structures. Their approach centers on setting families up with the resources, support systems, and community connections they need to feel empowered and well-supported on their feeding journeys.