Meet Nadda Diasti, owner of Two Can Grow. If there ever was someone who is a “jack of all trades” in the newborn world, it is her! You would be hard-pressed to find someone else in the Northern VA area who is not only a certified pediatric language-speech pathologist but also wears the hats of a feed specialist, a lactation consultant and a sleep coach. Can you say wow?
About Nadda, Owner of Two Can Grow
When I first “met” Nadda [pronounced ned-uh], it was, of course, through Instagram. I stumbled across her feed through our shared Babycito provider membership and originally stayed for her new kitten content. Her spunky new kitten stole my heart! Then I slowly came to learn that she was moving back to the NOVA area from NYC, where she lived for a handful of years in support of her husband’s career. And then I discovered that she is the face behind Two Can Grow, a solo practice offering holistic lactation support and feeding therapy in Northern VA. And she’s also a tongue-tie specialist. SO many hats! Read on to learn more about this incredible woman and her “why”.
Two Can Grow owner, a certified pediatric language-speech pathologist, feeding therapist, lactation consultant, AND sleep coach.
An In-depth Interview with Nadda
We are going to dive right in to learn more about Nadda herself. I got a chance to meet her in-person recently! You won’t meet someone else quite as passionate about empowering parents in their parenthood journey to help their babies not just grow, but thrive.
01. You’re a Speech-Language Pathologist, a Feeding Therapist, a Lactation Consultant, AND a Sleep Coach…an all-in-one package so to speak, which is just wow, SO incredible. How much would you say you do for each of these “hats” every week or month? What made you decide to dive into the training and obtaining qualifications for all of these?
Such a great question! My journey into this work started about 5.5 years ago when my niece was born during the height of the pandemic. My sister was struggling to find support, and like many families at the time, felt incredibly overwhelmed and isolated. What began as a passion project to help her quickly turned into a total career pivot. I first completed an 18-week sleep certification. It covered biologically normal infant + toddler sleep, feeding, attachment, temperament, identifying red flags for underlying concerns, and more! That led me to pursue my lactation counselor certification. And soon after, I became fully committed to this path, ultimately earning my IBCLC!
While I began my career as a Speech-Language Pathologist working with late talkers, I now work exclusively with infants, providing lactation support and feeding therapy. It’s been the most rewarding shift, and I’m so grateful I get to walk alongside families during such an important (and tender!) season.
All that to say, all of my “hats” are so interconnected that I’m really never wearing just one at a time! Whether I’m supporting a family through a feeding challenge or navigating sleep, each part of my training informs the other. It’s what allows me to look at mom + baby as a whole and offer truly holistic support. I love all things infant feeding and when it comes to sleep support, toddlers are my absolute favorite!
What’s it like to work with you? Can you walk me through what a client could expect?
Parents often come to me feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or just plain exhausted—especially when feeding isn’t going as expected. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or navigating feeding challenges with your newborn, my goal is to help you feel heard, held, and supported every step of the way.Parents typically fill out my contact form on my website or text at 301-615-1343 to get started.
If we connect while you’re pregnant, a prenatal consultation is a great place to start. Ideally we schedule it during your third trimester where info is fresh before baby’s arrival! We can meet virtually or in-person at my Vienna office. During our session, I walk you through what to expect in the early days of feeding. We’ll cover everything from newborn hunger cues and how much/how often babies eat, to feeding positions, bottles and pumps, colostrum collection, and how to troubleshoot common challenges.
After baby arrives, families often reach out for lactation support or feeding therapy—sometimes just to check in and make sure feeding is going well. Other times due to concerns like painful feeds, bottle refusal, or a suspected tongue/lip tie and need pre/post frenectomy support. It doesn’t matter if you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or doing both. I’m here to support what works best for your baby and your family.
During an initial visit, you’ll be welcomed into a warm, non-judgmental space that truly centers your experience as a parent. I take time to learn your story, review you and your baby’s history, and complete a feeding observation alongside a full-body and oral motor assessment. This includes looking at reflexes, oral function, tummy time, tension, and more!
And I always want parents to know, it’s never too early or too late to get support!
What is the most unexpectedly joyful thing coming out from the amazing work you do with and for your clients?
Honestly, the most unexpectedly joyful part of this work has been witnessing the transformation in parents. Of course, I love helping babies feed and feel better—but seeing a parent go from feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even defeated…to confident, calm, and connected with their baby is really beautiful. There’s something really powerful about being trusted to enter such an intimate part of a family’s life. Whether it’s a mom who finally feeds without pain, a baby who latches for the first time, or a parent who says, “I finally feel like I know what I’m doing”—those moments are everything to me.
I also get so much joy from watching the tiny wins—the first time a baby is able to latch and mom has no pain, or baby drinks from a bottle after weeks of refusal, or when a baby can happily lay on their belly in tummy time because they’re no longer in pain. Those wins might seem small, but to the families I work with (and to me!), they are huge.
It’s such a privilege to do this work. The joy that comes from walking alongside families in these early, raw, beautiful moments is something I’ll never take for granted.
I heard you moved back to Northern VA recently. Welcome back to the area! What do you enjoy doing here when you aren’t busy with Two Can Grow? Have you discovered any “hidden treasures” you’ve fallen in love with from working in Vienna, VA?
So, I’m not exactly new to the area! I actually lived in Northern Virginia before—in Del Ray, Alexandria—for almost three years and absolutely loved it. My husband and I were doing long distance at the time. When his work took him to NYC, I made the move too, holding onto the hope that we’d find our way back one day. Fast forward a few years, and a new opportunity brought us back—this time settling in McLean! I stumbled upon my office in Vienna one morning while driving to Pilates. From its location in the heart of town to the beautiful natural light that pours into the space, I knew it was meant to be.
I’m still discovering everything Vienna has to offer, but I’ve already fallen in love with its small-town charm. Whether it’s taking evening walks on the trails, grabbing a chai at a local café, or trying new restaurants, there’s something cozy and welcoming about Vienna. I feel really lucky to be planting roots here—and I don’t have any plans to leave anytime soon!
Two Can Grow
With all Nadda has to offer, Two Can Grow is the perfect person to tap on the shoulder to be your biggest cheerleader in those first months of newborn life and beyond. Reach out today if you need lactation or feeding support!
Whether I’m chatting about my favorite places or bonding over motherhood, I love getting to connect with my clients. My goal is to get to know you. So that together, we can capture your unique personalities in every image. If you’ve been considering booking a maternity or family photo shoot, I would love to connect! Contact me today to find out more.
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