Most lactation relationships end after the first six weeks. Many of our families came back. Well-visits. Second babies. Transitions we didn’t predict at the start. These six stories show what continuing care actually looks like in practice.
6 families · written by them, unedited
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Lacy & Conway·Fourth baby·Home visit·Lip & tongue tie
Before we even left the hospital, she was on formula for too much weight loss. I was devastated to say the least.
Hi! My names Lacy and my breastfeeding journey started 6 years ago. As soon as I got pregnant with our oldest, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. After she was born, unfortunately I had little to no support, including from the hospital. Actually, only my husband and one friend really tried to help me. Before we even left the hospital, she was on formula for too much weight loss. I was devastated to say the least. I did a ton of research to try to understand where I went wrong.
A few months before my daughter turned two, we found out we were pregnant with twins! Again, I knew I wanted to breastfeed and this time the experience was much different. The nurses were so much more supportive, even with the weight loss. They both had tongue and lip tie along with low tone and high tone which made things difficult. I called one my little piranha and the other slow poke, lol. We found a preferred provider and meet our amazing Lactation consultant! We also did chiropractic care with them. Things were okay until I went back to work. I managed to pump for them until about 6 months. I was proud of this, considering the circumstances.
When the twins were 23 months old, we welcomed our 4th baby. He too had lip and tongue tie, but this time I knew what to do. He was in the NICU for 24 hours where he was not allowed any formula, yet I was not allowed to try to nurse him either. At the 24-hour mark, I was allowed to hold him, and he immediately tried to nurse. The nurse in the room was fine with this and helped. She did try to offer him a bottle after and he refused it. That is when I knew this journey would be different. I arranged to have my lactation consultant see me at home as soon as possible, and she helped me navigate getting his ties taken care of. It made such a huge difference to have good lactation support from the very beginning.
We had our ups and downs for sure with him as well, but he is now 21 months old and still nursing! We are so blessed for all we have learned and to have four beautiful and healthy children!
I felt like she cared about ME as a person and a mother and not just my daughter as her patient.
I was not expecting to have so much difficulty breastfeeding with my second child, but I knew we were tongue and lip tied from birth. I sought out to get them revised and that is where I was introduced to Suzanne. She selflessly stepped in on our behalf to help us right away. Suzanne helped to manage my expectations as things were not an easy fix for us- we had a tether-berg baby.
Weeks would go by and Suzanne would not only show me different techniques at breastfeeding, but the reasoning and mindsets behind them. I have saved this knowledge for not just my own benefit, but to help other moms as well. When things continued to drag on, she recognized that I was having a hard time and my own wellbeing was also a concern of hers. I felt like she cared about ME as a person and a mother and not just my daughter as her patient.
One day, it finally clicked. Just like she said it would. We have been successfully breastfeeding for over 8 months now and I attribute SO much of that success to Suzanne. She never gave up on us and always had a positive support system for us. I highly recommend anyone who is having difficulty to trust in Suzanne and her wealth of knowledge. She will always be a part of our journey and I am forever grateful for her!
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Still have questions, months in?
Care doesn’t have to end at six weeks. Whether it’s a second baby, a new transition, or a question that just came up, we’re here.
I would have been lost without her and would have never been able to sustain breastfeeding on my own.
Our little rosebud was ready to meet the world and arrived just about a month early, tiny and fierce! She had one night in the NICU to stabilize her blood sugar where they gave her formula along with my breastmilk. Upon discharge, my pediatrician told me that the only way he would feel comfortable with me cutting the formula from our baby’s diet is to work with a lactation consultant: In came Suzanne! As a first time mom I had no clue what I was doing, but as a dietitian I knew breastfeeding was the ideal option for me and my baby and that I’d do whatever it took to make it work. Suzanne helped us navigate, overcome, and truly thrive through our baby’s low birth weight, a tongue tie, a poor latch, food allergies, and everything in between. I looked forward to our weekly visits and all of the knowledge and insight I’d gain. I would have been lost without her and would have never been able to sustain breastfeeding on my own. Suzanne really was and is our lactation superstar!
Through this experience we not only have a super healthy and thriving little lady, but it has also opened new doors for me professionally as I help other mothers struggling with food allergies and baby’s first foods. I honestly cannot say enough amazing things about Suzanne and about Bayou City Breastfeeding. With a second baby on the way I feel much more confident and ready to take on any and all bumps along the way knowing I have such an amazing team of lactation consultants behind me to support!
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Sophie M·Three children·Weight gain, tongue & lip tie, recurrent visits
She always makes sure to let you know you’re doing a good job.
I was referred to Suzanne Juel by my pediatrician in 2010. My son was 2 weeks old and not gaining weight. Suzanne was able to immediately identify and fix the problem. I was able to successfully nurse my son! I saw Suzanne again in 2012 with my second son. I was in tremendous pain every time he would latch. She identified a tongue and lip tie, gave us exercises to do with him, and I was able to nurse him pain free! I saw Suzanne again in 2016 with my daughter. She identified several issues and we are working through them! Suzanne is very knowledgeable with all things pertaining to lactation. She always makes sure to let you know you’re doing a good job. I have recommended more friends than I can count to Suzanne. Her heart is to help breastfeeding mothers succeed.
Though there were times I wanted to throw in the towel and quit, I didn’t.
Breastfeeding was one of the most rewarding and hardest jobs I have ever had. Before I was pregnant, I had zero knowledge of nursing, and it was not as natural as I thought it would be. Thankfully, Tessa was my IBCLC, and helped me overcome all the obstacles in our three year journey. From nursing every hour, two revisions (and possibly a third, in the future) to almost losing my supply, I feel like I have experienced all the hardest parts that come along with nursing. Though there were times I wanted to throw in the towel and quit, I didn’t. Breastfeeding was not only benefiting my baby, it was benefiting me as well. Choosing to nurture my son by breastfeeding, I have found my passion. I can’t wait to become a Lactation Consultant and be the support system to the next mom without any knowledge of breastfeeding
Jennifer G·Two children·Tongue ties, genetic issues, supply shifts
No question or issue is too big for her.
Suzanne Juel is a standalone in the field of lactation consulting. She is so well versed on the diverse issues that come with feeding new little babes and the complexities that surround the relationships between mother and child. I maintained a close relationship with Suzanne and she helped me with the bevy of issues that came with my 2 breastfed children. From tongue ties, to genetic issues, to diminished supply and oversupply, Suzanne was able to solve every problem we encountered, and quickly. She is always willing to answer any question I have or provide me with research or places to locate articles regarding my questions. Suzanne is passionate about true health and wellness and values relationships with her clients. We are still nursing strong at 2 years old (in November 21st). Suzanne is the most supportive and positive person I know in this industry. She will help you with any solution you desire for your relationship with your child. No question or issue is too big for her. In my opinion, Suzanne Juel is a super hero for babies and mommas.
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Your story is next
Whatever comes next, we’re still here
Every family here started with a visit. A feeding assessment with one of our IBCLCs can tell you what is going on, and what the road ahead looks like for you.
