Read about the mothers and babies in Carroll and Howard County who used my breast feeding support and lactation consultant services:
“I would highly recommend Susan’s services. I was ready to quit breastfeeding and give up when I called her. I was in such pain. My nipples were cracked and bleeding. I broke down crying on the phone and she cancelled her plans and came to see me right away that same day. She discovered that my six day old newborn had a Tongue-tie and wasn’t latching properly because she couldn’t! She got me a prescription for Triple Nipple Cream for my nipples and set me up with a Symphony Medela breast pump to save my milk supply. I pumped on a mild setting and we finger-fed my daughter for the next two days until she could see the oral surgeon Susan referred us to. This break from trying to latch gave my nipples time to heal. Once he clipped my daughter’s piece of tissue under her tongue I had Susan come back to my home and she helped my daughter successfully latch! While it was still a little tender because my nipples were still healing, I knew we would be able to continue. My daughter is now 8 months old and we are still going strong! My goal was to breastfeed her for a year, we may even go longer now. I am so glad I made that phone call because without Susan’s expertise and positive attitude, I would have quit”!
Julie and Baby Mandy, Ellicott City, MD – 2013
• “I gave birth to twin boys in 2015. They were born at 33 1/2 weeks. I had taken a Breastfeeding Class that Susan taught and I knew the importance of establishing a good milk supply for two! I so wanted to be able to breastfeed so I took the class early in my pregnancy just in case I delivered prematurely. I was so heartbroken that I was not allowed to try to breastfeed because they were not stable enough and were having some breathing problems at first and were in the Special Care unit.Susan rented me a Hospital grade pump and helped me to hand express colostrum for them just hours after birth. My milk came in on day 4 and I began to pump every 3 hours around the clock. When my babies were still not able to go to breast, Susan helped me do a lot of skin-to-skin with my boys. She had me lay one of my boys on my chest and pump while I was holding him. She even helped my husband do skin-to-skin with his our other son. At first, my husband felt strange doing it; but Susan convinced him to try it and he loved it! I needed his help and this is a great way for fathers to bond and give moms a much needed break from time to time.
Eventually our boys transitioned to only breastfeeding from my breasts. We had to use breast shields and plastic tubes, cups and syringes at first, but I was so happy to get them home and they are growing like crazy! Susan was our cheerleader through it all and we can’t thank her enough. She kept telling me that I could do it. I’d like to tell other mothers, especially those with twins, don’t let people tell you that you can’t breastfeed twins because I am doing it!! I wouldn’t say it was easy at first, but I am so glad I stuck it out and my boys are doing very well. I would highly recommend Susan not only for her expertise and years of experience, but because she really cares. Without the early help she gave us, I am not sure we would have been so successful. I love breastfeeding and, as Susan reminded us, we are saving A LOT of money too”!Cathy P. from Eldersburg – 2015
• “Susan asked me to write my breastfeeding story to share on her website. I think it is important for mothers to know that sometimes things do not work out as well as we may hope. I am an older mother, age 38. This was my first child. I had a history of infertility problems and this baby is quite the miracle child. My goal was to breastfeed for a year. I took a Breastfeeding Class, bought the books & read everything I could to prepare, bought the pump, the bras, the nipple cream and the boppy pillow. I was set!
Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to make enough milk for my baby. We tried pumping and herbal supplements & even Rx medications. It was heartbreaking to not be able to produce enough milk for my baby. Susan taught me that breastfeeding successfully has many different definitions and breastfeeding is more than just nutrition; it is cuddling, touch, smell and bonding. She showed me how to use a small tube at my breast to give the necessary formula and this allowed my son to still latch on to my breast and get what little milk I could give him. I was so upset by my lack to produce enough milk, I wasn’t enjoying my beautiful baby! I think I suffered some Post-Partum Depression over this issue. Now we are happy and simply doing the best we can with “plan B”. Susan really cared and reminded me to enjoy my baby and simply do the best I could”. Stella and baby Joseph
“My story is short and sweet. I called Susan to do a home visit because my baby was born at 36 weeks and would not wake up for feedings at first. Susan simply taught us waking techniques and to do lots of skin to skin. She reassured us that this is typical behavior for a late pre-term baby. She helped me to position baby better and squeeze my breast while he sucked. She also had me use a hospital grade breast pump after the feedings and then finger-feed my HIND milk to him to help him gain weight and overcome his Jaundice. Once he was two weeks old, he was breastfeeding like a champ and gaining lots of weight!
Our pediatrician’s advice early on was to simply give bottles of formula. If we had had done that, I would have lost my milk supply and been a formula feeding mom. Susan not only helped us with hands-on help, but she educated us. I would recommend her classes to all pregnant moms and her services to anyone who needs help. I now realize that we should have taken a Breastfeeding Class to learn more. I am so glad my friend recommended calling Susan before it was too late. I would recommend taking a class or learning all you can before giving birth and find a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding”.
Kathy and Joe and baby Jayden, Columbia, MD 2016
“As a new first time mother I was a bit nervous about breastfeeding because I had heard some stories from co-workers about how much it can hurt. Susan was our nurse in the hospital and she helped me learn techniques that really helped along with laid back nursing and other positions. I also used her in-home services once we got home. We didn’t really have any specific problems, I just needed reassurance that things were going well to feel confident. I remember how we celebrated my daughter’s yellow poop and weight gain. She even brought a baby scale and we could measure before and after we fed to see how much milk my daughter took from me. Her years of experience and reassuring manner were just what we needed. I highly recommend Susan. She also gave me information about a Support Group. I would also recommend all moms join a Support Group as well”.
Cathy, Mike and baby Olivia 2015, Ellicott City, MD