Hi!
Do people still blog?
No clue. But here I am. I just wanted to make another space where I can share breastfeeding education and encouragement in addition to my instagram page.
I thought I should start where it all started for me, and that was when I gave birth in 2015.
There’s me, knowing nothing about breastfeeding. Well, I knew a bit, because I had taken a course when I was pregnant (but with my nursing brain, not my pregnant mom brain). I was taking it to get a certification to complete one of my professional goals I had set for that year. Looking back, I’m not really sure why I didn’t absorb as much of the class as I think I could have, because it might have helped me much more. Or maybe the class just wasn’t that great haha. Because there was a lot that I didn’t really know.
My daughter was extremely sleepy, had jaundice, and not the best latch. I knew enough to keep putting her to breast as frequently as possible, so I did. The hospital lactation consultant was in my room twice, for just a few minutes each time, and she was nice but she wasn’t the most helpful. She told me about hand expression and syringe feeding, but she didn’t show me HOW to do it, so I didn’t really know what to do.
All ended up great. I breastfed her until 14 or 15 months and was even able to keep up my supply when I went back to work when she was 4 months old. I was really proud of that. With my son, he was much better at nursing from the start. So I think that, plus the experience and confidence I had from doing it before helped me immensely. I nursed him for about 15 months as well.
I don’t really know when exactly I started to want to be an IBCLC. I think when I was done nursing I was able to step back and see how much support new moms need with it. And I knew from my personal experience and my job as a NICU nurse just how little breastfeeding education expectant parents get.
You can click on my “Services” tab to see the type of services I offer and the “About Me” tab to learn more about who I am and my philosophy about breastfeeding support.
I’m happy you’re here!
Jess