GOLD Speakers

Zinal Unadkat, IBCLC

• Speaker Type: 2025 Networking Sessions
• Country: India

Biography:

Dr. Zinal Unadkat Shah, MBBS, DCH, IBCLC, is a pediatrician, lactation consultant, and neonatologist based in Mumbai, India. Her hybrid practice encompasses three hospitals, a private clinic and virtual consultation all over the world. Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Zinal collaborates with governmental and international bodies such as UNICEF and the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India Maharastra to address malnutrition at its roots.

Driven by the recognition of the inadequate lactation support available in her country, Dr. Zinal being a pediatrician realised the lacunae in her country and has dedicated herself to ensuring every mother receives breastfeeding assistance and education in India practising as an IBCLC since 15 years . Her multifaceted work in lactation management spans various settings, including NICU, labor rooms, and postpartum care.

Her passion is working with surrogate mothers for breastfeeding their incoming babies and since and her daughter both had tongue ties which she realised at later age her passion towards helping babies with oral restrictions has driven her to create awareness and train other lactation Proffessional's in India for same.

She being a pediatrician when she attends deliveries in labour room she focuses on breast crawl and helps in early initiation which she believes solves majority of breastfeeding issues.

Assuming the role of India Coordinator for the IBLCE in 2019 till 2024 Dr. Zinal has played a pivotal role in cultivating a robust community of lactation consultants across India. Her efforts have not only increased accessibility to lactation services but have also deepened the nation's understanding and appreciation of this crucial aspect of maternal and child health.counseling families.