Why Piena? (“pee-EH-nah”)
Full bellies. Full hearts. Fully supported.Piena (pee-EH-nah”), means “Full” in Italian. Growing up in an immigrant Italian household, sharing nourishment through food was a deeply meaningful part of our lives. That belief guides the work we do today. Fullness is how you’re held, how you’re heard, how you’re supported. As a team, we’re here to offer that same kind of fullness to every family we meet, through a safe, contained space that honors your whole postpartum journey.
Meet Our Team
Tina Montalto
IBCLC, LMT, MLDT, CST
Tina, owner and founder of Piena, is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Licensed Massage Therapist, in Los Angeles with over 10 years of experience. Her deep passion stems from helping families connect with their baby through massage, lactation care, and postpartum support.
As a Lactation Consultant and Licensed Massage Therapist, Tina specializes in supporting families through the transitions of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Her practice integrates evidence-based lactation care with therapeutic bodywork, offering parents both clinical guidance and restorative support.
Based in Los Angeles, Tina works within a community that values holistic health and conscious living. Her goal is to provide care that feels grounded, compassionate, and practical—meeting each family where they are and helping them feel confident and cared for as they navigate this tender stage of life.
Her professional background also includes advanced training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and CranioSacral Therapy, as well as volunteer work providing palliative care to infants and children in the NICU and PICU at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center. These experiences continue to shape how Tina cares for families, bringing together clinical expertise, sensitivity, and a deep respect for each parent’s unique journey.
At Piena Lactation & Wellness, Tina strives to create a space where families feel supported, understood, and empowered, so they can focus on what matters most: nurturing their little ones with confidence and care.
Certifications & Accreditations
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IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)- Studied at University of California San Diego
Clinical Lactation Training at Kaiser Permanente Hospital’s Outpatient Lactation Clinic
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LMT (Licensed Massage therapist) - Trained with The National Holistic Institute
MLDT (Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist) - Trained with Klose. Specialization in Post op, prenatal swelling, and post c-section lymph drainage.
Certified Cranial Sacral therapist - Trained with Upledger Academy. Specialization in pediatrics.
Certified in Palliative Care for Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units - Trained with The Heart Touch Project
Certified Prenatal Massage Therapist - Trained with the Institute of Somatic Therapy
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BLS Certified (Infant, Child, and Adult CPR)
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Up to date on TDAP, MMR, and COVID vaccines
Cristina Schulman
Cristina is an ERYT 500 (500 Hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) and meditation teacher with over 17 years of experience guiding individuals into deeper connection with their bodies and breath. After studying Somatic Psychotherapy at Antioch University, her passion for mind/body wholeness naturally evolved into perinatal coaching, inspired by the growing number of loved ones stepping into parenthood.
Witnessing the profound emotional and physical shifts of this time, she discovered her calling in supporting individuals through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with compassion and presence.
Cristina is trained in Maternal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International (PSI), and brings a grounded, holistic approach to her work. She is skilled at helping postpartum individuals reconnect with their physical bodies - supporting pelvic floor awareness, core reactivation, and gentle movement practices that foster strength and confidence.
Whether supporting the physical body through mindful movement or offering space for emotional processing and mental clarity, Cristina is deeply committed to helping people feel seen, supported, and whole during one of life’s most transformative seasons.
Holistic Postpartum Wellness, Nurtured From the Inside Out
Inclusive Care
At Piena, our care circle is open to all. We are committed to creating a safe and affirming environment where you’re empowered to show up exactly as you are.
Comprehensive Support
Well-rounded expertise from a team with over 10+ years of experience, offering a perspective that understands the postpartum and newborn bodies.
Parental Wellness
Your wellness matters, too. We center the health of parents through physical and mental wellness services designed to support you alongside your baby.
“I have been fortunate to work with Tina for five years, through both of my pregnancies and postpartum journeys.”
“Her skilled, nurturing care has been an invaluable part of my wellness during some of the most transformative times in my life. During my postpartum periods, each session with Tina felt like a reset button for both my body and mind. The physical relief was immediate, but beyond the physical benefits, her treatments provided something equally precious: a space to reconnect with myself during a time when I often felt lost in the demands of new motherhood. I cannot recommend her highly enough to any parent seeking skilled, empathetic support during the postpartum period.”
Feel Held, Heard, and Radiantly Supported.
Book an appointment with our team for grounded, evidence-based support that nurtures all parts of your being, during each part of your journey.
or call or text directly for support 646.423.7586