From Mom to Lactation Consultant: My Top Tips for a Successful Breastfeeding Journey

Throughout my pregnancy with my daughter, I had this picture-perfect vision of what our breastfeeding journey would be like. I imagined peaceful nursing sessions and a natural flow between the two of us that would happen immediately. Let me tell you, reality hit real quick! What I didn't expect were the tears (both hers and mine), the sore nipples, questioning if her latch was correct, the uncertainty about whether she was getting enough milk, and the devastating feeling that maybe breastfeeding wasn't for me.

Those early weeks were some of the most challenging of my life as a mom. We struggled so much that I almost gave up on breastfeeding. I wish I could go back and tell my new-mom self that struggling doesn't mean failing, and that getting help early would have saved us both so much unnecessary stress and drama. That experience of almost throwing in the towel, followed by the incredible transformation that happened once I got the right support, is what ultimately led me to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Now, I'm passionate about helping other families navigate this journey with more confidence and support than I initially had. Nobody should have to figure this out alone!

Through my personal experience, education, and work with other families, I've identified helpful actions that can make a huge difference in supporting a successful breastfeeding journey. I highly suggest them for every family considering breastfeeding as their feeding choice.

Take a Comprehensive Breastfeeding Class

A quality breastfeeding class covers so much more than how often a baby should eat. A quality breastfeeding class will educate you on proper positioning, accurate bottle-feeding, how to recognize effective milk transfer, common breastfeeding challenges and how to address them, realistic expectations, and so much more.

What I know now is that although I took a breastfeeding class before my daughter was born, it was not nearly as thorough as it should have been for families to approach breastfeeding as confidently or as prepared as they should be. That's why I created my in-depth class, Breastfeeding Beginnings, specifically designed to help families get off to a successful start with breastfeeding. It covers everything I wish I had known before my daughter arrived, giving you the tools and confidence to navigate breastfeeding with a lot less stress.

Schedule a Breastfeeding Consultation

Even with a great class under your belt, nothing replaces personalized guidance. A prenatal breastfeeding consultation allows an IBCLC to assess your individual situation, discuss any concerns specific to your medical history, and create a tailored plan for your family.

During a consultation, we can address anatomical considerations, discuss any medications you're taking, talk through your birth preferences and how they might impact breastfeeding, and help you feel more prepared for what's ahead. You may still run into some challenges, but you’ll at least know how to work through them. You know the saying…stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!

"Struggling doesn't mean failing—getting help early can save you so much unnecessary stress and drama."

Include Your Partner and Other Support Persons in Your Plans

My husband initially felt helpless because he couldn't actually breastfeed our daughter. What we learned is that there are several ways a partner can support breastfeeding success, from bringing you water and snacks during nursing sessions to learning about normal newborn behavior so they can offer reassurance during those difficult moments when you're convinced something must be wrong.

Include your partner in your breastfeeding education. Have them attend the class with you, involve them in consultations, and make sure they understand your goals and how they can help you achieve them. Having your partner on your team makes all the difference!

Remember: You're Both Learning

Here's something that completely shifted my perspective and saved my sanity: both you and your baby are learning this together. Your baby has never breastfed before either! I learned the hard way that while breastfeeding is natural, it's also a learned skill for both you and your baby. It's like expecting to know how to ride a bike the first time you get on one...it doesn't work that way!

There were moments when I felt like a failure because nursing wasn't going smoothly, but when I reframed it as "we're both new at this," I gave myself and my daughter so much more grace.

Identify Lactation Support Before You Need It

One thing I always tell expecting parents is to identify your lactation support team before your baby arrives. Research IBCLCs in your area, find out which hospitals and pediatric offices have lactation consultants on staff, and look into local breastfeeding support groups.

Having these resources identified ahead of time means you're not anxiously googling "lactation consultant near me" at 2 AM while your baby (and probably you, too) are in tears. You'll know exactly who to call when you need support.

Don't Delay Getting Help

This is a big one—the advice I wish I could shout from the rooftops to every expecting parent. I waited too long to get help because I thought struggling meant I was failing. I thought if breastfeeding was "natural," then needing help meant something was wrong with me.

The truth is, getting help early often prevents small challenges from becoming big problems. If something doesn't feel right, if you're in pain, if you're worried about your baby's weight gain or your milk supply, reach out for help. Asking for help doesn’t mean you have failed. It’s a sign that you are doing all you can to ensure your baby’s well-being—and your peace of mind.

Celebrate Your Progress

It can be easy to focus on what's not going perfectly, but you owe it to yourself to also focus on the things that are going well. I want you to celebrate every single victory, no matter how small it might seem. Your baby latched well this morning? That deserves a little happy dance! You made it through your first week of breastfeeding without giving up? That's HUGE! Your nipples aren’t sore and cracked anymore? That’s DEFINITELY worth celebrating! You're doing an amazing job, mama!

Stay Encouraged Throughout the Journey

The early weeks can feel overwhelming, but I promise you that it gets easier. With the right support, education, and patience, you and your baby will find your rhythm. Take it from me—what started as one of the most challenging experiences as a mom eventually became one of the most empowering and rewarding.

Keep in mind that your breastfeeding journey will be unique to you and your baby, just like your fingerprint is unique to you. There may be challenges, but there will also be beautiful moments of connection, empowerment, and pride in what your body is capable of. Both the struggles and the joy are part of the experience, and both are valid.

Remember that seeking support isn't a sign of weakness—it's a sign of strength and commitment to your goals. Whether that's taking a comprehensive class, working with an IBCLC, or leaning on your partner and family, you don't have to do this alone.

Afton Jones is dually licensed as a perinatal therapist in Charlotte, NC, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. If you're expecting or in those early days of breastfeeding, Afton is here to support you. Her "Breastfeeding Beginnings" class is designed to give you the foundation and confidence you need for a successful breastfeeding journey. Remember: you got this, you're not alone, and we're rooting for you! You can connect with Afton by visiting https://www.perinatalwellness-support.com/.