Why I Decided to Become a Lactation Consultant
I have been passionate about helping others improve their health since 2011, when I became a registered nurse. My interest in disease prevention led me to shift my career, and I became a health coach in 2014. Through my health coaching experience, I learned an incredible amount about the body and how certain lifestyle choices can affect our microbiome, hormones, and overall health. When I became a mother, I learned about the incredible impact breastmilk has on the microbiome and how significant the health-promoting effects were on a baby’s immune system. What was even more eye-opening to me was that these positive health effects can be beneficial into adulthood!
When I had my first baby, I assumed breastfeeding would come naturally to me. After all, women have been doing it for thousands of years, why would it be difficult? Boy was I wrong!
This began a 6-week struggle. Becoming a mom had always been a dream of mine, and I was so happy to have my healthy baby girl in my arms, but we were struggling! Well, she was happily gaining weight, but I was struggling with severe pain every time she nursed. Every 2-3 hours, I had to gear up for excruciating, toe-curling pain, and this was physically and emotionally draining. You name the issue, I likely had it- cracking, bleeding, blebs, Raynaud’s, clogged ducts, mastitis, and eventually this led to postpartum anxiety and depression. I so desperately wanted to breastfeed, and it looked like I was going to have to stop way too soon.
Finally, I had a friend recommend a private practice IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Her name was Leah, and I will forever be grateful for her. She came to my house, did her assessment, and told me that my baby likely had a posterior tongue tie and an upper lip tie. This is something only skilled providers can identify. After this, I took her to a pediatric dentist, as recommended by the IBCLC, who confirmed that she had a tongue and lip tie. After the ties were released with a laser (and incorporating lots of home stretches and tummy time), our breastfeeding issues began to resolve!
Because of Leah, my daughter and I were able to continue our breastfeeding journey for quite some time, until we were both ready to stop. This was such a gift!
Becoming a Lactation Consultant allows me to live out my passion for promoting health starting in infancy, as well as helping mothers to heal and take care of themselves while adjusting to their new family member.
My goal for all the families that seek my help is to give them the gift of having the breastfeeding journey they desire.
** Note that IBCLCs cannot guarantee specific outcomes, but we sure do our best to help get to the root of the issue and get everything back on track.
Lauren Pou Stanley, RN, BSN, IBCLC