Testimonial for Nikki Poncio-Bock, CLC from Marissa Gradman

Testimonial for Nikki Poncio-Bock, CLC

TLDR: We wholeheartedly, without reservation, recommend Nikki. Trustworthy, kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, excellent. Hire her! More Details: After 3 months in the hospital Nikki stepped in when we finally brought home our little preemie. We were terrified, confused and traumatized. I'm not sure how we would have managed without Nikki. My husband and I were AMAZED constantly at her knowledge and skills around our newborn. This little alien lifeform that I had no idea what to do with, she just knew intuitively. She also made sure I always had a full water glass, food, showers and naps. Another thing I really appreciated was her lactation knowledge. Because of the preeclampsia/c-section/prematurity, our breastfeeding journey was rough. I was pumping every 2-3 hours, and also going to appointments with IBCLCs and OTs to try to help, and also trying all the different pumps. Nikki's knowledge and advice was SO helpful. I would be overwhelmed at trying to figure out how to use this stupid new pump I bought, and Nikki very patiently figured it out and helped. She accompanied us to appointments, gave input, and helped implement suggestions. Besides all of that, she was just easy to be around, which was huge in the early days. Easy to talk to, good sense of humor, open and authentic. She would come in the early morning, and quietly come take the baby out of her bassinet while we were passed out trying to recover from a rough night of wakings and pumpings. Plus she did a lot of extra stuff that I'm not sure is even part of doula care? In my early postpartum haze, I decided it was the right time to try to make challah for the first time (what?!) and she was on board with me, helping me make the dough, while also experimenting with a wearable pump at the same time?! We also really appreciated that she was never judgemental or critical, always objective and answered questions and problems from a place of knowledge of evidence and experience.

-Marissa Gradman

January 24, 2026