Dr. Thuet is out of the office on maternity leave and will return January 2026. To rent a hospital grade pump or find professional breastfeeding support during this time, please click here.
Dr. Thuet is out of the office on maternity leave and will return January 2026. To rent a hospital grade pump or find professional breastfeeding support during this time, please click here.
As a pediatrician, Dr. Thuet has always been deeply curious about how different cultures and traditions influence childrearing practices within communities. Throughout her career, she sought clinical experiences in culturally diverse settings—from Leyte Island in the Philippines to Peru’s Ica region—observing how various rituals, practices, and beliefs affect parental support during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
When Dr. Thuet and her husband had their daughter, they chose to settle their family of three in Tuba City, Arizona where Dr. Thuet served as a pediatrician for children of Navajo and Hopi families. During this time, their family journeyed far and wide exploring the Southwest, with Ella, their daughter’s beloved stuffed elephant, as a faithful companion on every adventure.
Ella’s enduring presence and their daughter’s love for elephants inspired the family to delve into learning about elephants and how the herd nurtures their young. Through this process, Dr. Thuet discovered “alloparenting,” a concept that describes cooperative caregiving where individuals other than biological parents assist in raising offspring. When a mama elephant gives birth, for example, a community of support surrounds her, protecting the new family and trumpeting the arrival of this beautiful little 200-pound baby. She’s never alone on this exciting new adventure.
In both animal and human contexts, alloparenting, or “other parenting,” involves relatives or community members who contribute to tasks like protection, feeding, and teaching young ones. Dr. Thuet observed this practice in indigenous cultures where she provided care as a pediatrician. Beyond immediate family, grandparents, relatives, neighbors, and community members play crucial roles in childcare, sharing in the joys and challenges of childrearing. This communal approach allows for the division of labor, expertise in childcare tasks, and the transmission of cultural knowledge and values across generations.
However, in the United States, this village of support has essentially disappeared as we’ve evolved into a more transient and self-reliant culture, disconnected from loved ones by distance and societal demands. In other regions of the world, child-rearing involves up to 20 different caregivers. Yet, American moms are expected to successfully manage the physical and emotional toll of childbirth alone while society only adds to the burden, from limiting parental leave policies to applying a stigma to mental health care. It’s no wonder moms are more overwhelmed and frustrated than ever before!
Dr. Thuet believes the healthiest thing we can do for ourselves as new parents is build and lean on a village of supporters, even if that village doesn’t look like what we imagined. As your breastfeeding and lactation support “alloparent,” Dr. Thuet can provide you with one-on-one care and connect you to other new moms who share your experiences, giving you the strength and confidence to get through the sleepless nights and unexpected tears.
It’s this philosophy of care and her immersion in other cultures that inspired Dr. Thuet when naming her breastfeeding and lactation medicine practice. Dr. Thuet chose “Ella” in honor of her daughter’s cherished elephant, symbolizing nurturing and growth. Embodying the spirit of cooperative caregiving and community support, “alloparenting” became a guiding theme. Thus, “Ella & Allo” was established—a name that reflects the diverse cultural richness in childcare practices and the supportive village spirit Dr. Thuet aims to cultivate for parents navigating their feeding journeys. Ella & Allo is honored to be part of your family’s community as your breastfeeding expert, holding your hand and providing compassionate care to help you and your baby thrive.
