I am a pediatrician with specialized interests in newborn care, breastfeeding, and the follow-up care of infants with prenatal opioid exposure. I am passionate about supporting new parents as they begin their journey into parenthood and helping families navigate the challenges and milestones that come with welcoming a new baby.
In my clinical practice, I approach each patient with the same care and attentiveness I would offer my own family and friends. I value open, collaborative conversations and emphasize evidence-based guidance tailored to each family’s needs. Seeing myself as both a clinician and an educator, I strive to create a supportive environment where parents feel comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns.
As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), I provide expert guidance to families throughout their breastfeeding journeys, celebrating successes while thoughtfully addressing challenges. I also serve as the director of the Cincinnati Children’s Supporting Those with Exposures (STEP) Clinic, where I lead care for infants and children affected by prenatal opioid exposure. My clinical research focuses on understanding the short- and long-term medical and developmental outcomes for this population, breastfeeding, and standardizing newborn care.
Outside of my professional work, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, and participating in triathlons.
MD: University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, 2007
Residency: Pediatrics, University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, 2010
Certifications: Pediatrics, 2010
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; newborn care; breastfeeding
Follow up care of infants treated for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.
Knowledge and Training About Caring for Children With Intrauterine Opioid Exposure: A Multisite Pediatrician Survey. Academic Pediatrics. 2026; 26(3):103222.
Breastfeeding and Developmental Outcomes in Infants with Prenatal Cannabis Exposure: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2025.
Barriers and Facilitators to Exclusive Breastfeeding in Cincinnati Latina Women. Clinical Lactation. 2025; 16(3-4):188-206.
Pediatricians' Attitudes Toward and Use of Terminology About Mothers With Opioid Use Disorder. Journal of Addiction Medicine. 2025; 19(6):646-654.
Early childhood growth following prenatal opioid exposure and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Pediatric Research. 2025; 98(4):1395-1402.
Reducing Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Frenotomy Practice. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2025; 20(10):715-721.
Effects of Prenatal Opioid Exposure on the Brain and Neurodevelopment. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2025; 72(5):805-823.
The Impact of Frequency of Cannabis Use on Hypertensive Disorders During Pregnancy. Journal of Addiction Medicine. 2025; 19(5):611-614.
Instrument-based vision screening and outcomes in young children following prenatal exposure to buprenorphine or methadone: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of AAPOS. 2025; 29(4):104259.
A neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 2025; 109:107471.
Jennifer McAllister, MD, IBCLC4/26/2024
Patient Ratings and Comments
All patient satisfaction ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and verified by a leading independent experience management company, Qualtrics. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Only those providers whose satisfaction surveys are administered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are displayed. Click here to learn more about our survey