My Journey to Lactation Support

My passion for breastfeeding support began long before I became a mother. In 2018, while studying nutrition, I became fascinated by the complexity of human milk — its precision, adaptability, and power to nourish both baby and mom. After completing my degree, I became a RDN in 2019, and that same year earned my CLC credential. As a dietitian, I was in awe of how nutrition and lactation intertwined, and I wanted to help families reach their feeding goals with both science and compassion.

Then, when I became a mom, everything I’d studied came to life in a much more personal way. My daughter was born small at 5 lbs 3 oz, and what was supposed to come naturally felt anything but. I was told her latch looked “good,” but it was incredibly painful. Within three days, I had nipple damage and began triple feeding to help her grow. We did weighted feeds, used a nipple shield, and sought help from multiple providers.

At six weeks, I was told she might never take a full feed at the breast. Still, I trusted my instincts and sought further support. Through the guidance of a wonderful IBCLC, occupational therapist, and physical therapist, I learned she had a high palate, torticollis, and body tension that were affecting her ability to feed. With time, therapy, and persistence, she eventually transferred a full feed around four months old. Today, we’re still breastfeeding — and it remains one of the most rewarding and challenging things I’ve ever done.