Joyful Lactation

09/08/2025

When to call a lactation consultant…

I like to call this blog series “nap time blogs” hahah when the baby (now toddler) is asleep, mama gets work done when I’m not seeing clients!

I hope you find this list helpful and please share it!

https://joyfullactation.com/when-to-call-a-lactation-consultant-ibclc/

05/31/2025

The struggle is real with insurance. The struggle is so very challenging for lactation coverage and insurance! I’ve tried for months as an RN-IBCLC to get in network with BCBS-GA and they won’t recognize my credentials. It’s a struggle and a shame that so many moms aren’t able to get the support they want and deserve related to breastfeeding!

I encourage you to file your superbills and reach out to our state representatives and your BCBS plan to let them know how valuable lactation coverage truly is!!

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/why-not-being-covered-moms-blue-cross-must-pay-or-forego-lactation-support?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR728utnIMyQI8a6H-Tvyk3m_F6hniwYMJWbmSXCNG-22FzxfDPzs8IaUXbm3g_aem_s48DCyKwoS9pJDOGgliebw

Three weeks after a medical biller announced it would no longer be working with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, moms in the state face out-of-pocket costs of over $100 per session for breastfeeding help – and are calling on lawmakers and the state’s largest private insurer to step up.

03/16/2025

Next week, come see me and other wonderful birth workers at the Peach State Birth Expo.

I am on the speaker panel to talk about Breast-feeding, of course!

I also have an exclusive discount code for my prenatal breastfeeding class that you can only get if you attend!

So many other raffles, goodies, vendors and speakers will be there!

For moms and moms to be!

Share with your friends and I can’t wait to see you there!

07/19/2021

1️⃣thing you wish you would’ve known before breastfeeding your baby…
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If you have any experience breastfeeding, you know that there are things that come along with your journey that, in hindsight, you wish you would’ve known beforehand.
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I have to admit, I have many more than 1 I could list. But, if I had to absolutely pick 1 (for this post), it would be that I needed to seek out help and support earlier than I did.
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I waited 7 days, with cracked and bleeding ni***es to get help from a lactation consultant! That’s too long!
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It is my mission to help new breastfeeding moms get the help and support they need, whatever that looks like for them, on their breastfeeding journey!
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In order for me to provide the best support I can, I need to hear from you!
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What is 1️⃣thing you wish you would’ve known before breastfeeding?
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Then, stay tuned this week for some incredible resources! I literally cant wait to share this with you!!! 💜
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05/13/2021

Natural birth…Before you say, “there is no way I can do that,” hear me out!
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I DO NOT handle pain well. I whine, I cry sometimes, I take ibuprofen for headaches, 10 out 10 don’t do pain well at all!
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I was told about 8 years ago by an Ob/Gyn that “I was too petit to deliver a baby va**nally and I would most likely need a c-section!” 😳😮🤷🏽‍♀️🙄😱
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TF you talking about…
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It was in that moment that I decided I will deliver my baby(ies) va**nally. No one will tell me what my body can and can’t do! I get to make that decision (as***le 🖕🏽🖕🏽)
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Clearly, I get fired up about that comment! I digress…🤦🏽‍♀️😂
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Fast forward a couple of years, my cousin had a wonderful water birth with her second child and told me all about the differences in her births. #1 was with an epidural in the hospital and #2 was a water birth at the hospital. Hearing both of her stories was powerful!
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Once again, I decided that I can make the decision to have a natural birth!
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We finally got pregnant (after 1 year of trying) with our first daughter in 2016. We began researching natural birth and switched to a provider that supported that (more to that story to come).
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We took Bradley birthing classes in preparation for a natural birth! THIS IS KEY!!!
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Your body was designed to deliver a baby out of your va**na! Your body was designed to handle the process and yes, the “pain” that comes along with it.
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It’s your mind you have teach that you can handle the “pain” and knowing ways to do that and having support will help you and your partner with your natural birth!
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I have so much more I want to share with you about natural birthing, but I want you to know that if you have even considered it an option for you, know that it is!
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Have you had a natural birth before? I’d love to know 💜
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📸 from this day 2 years ago when I delivered my second daughter in a birth center and got to go home the same day! It was an empowering, amazing experience and I would do it over again!
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05/07/2021

4 breastfeeding tips for new moms…
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To breastfeed or give formula (or both)…
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That’s a huge decision that a new mom has to make!
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For me, I just thought breastfeeding was natural, easy, “cheaper,” less bottles, less stress…Damn, was I wrong!!!!
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If you’re a new mom or about to be a mom, don’t get discouraged! Keep reading!
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My husband and I took Bradley Birthing classes before our first daughter was born. I had an idea of what to expect with breastfeeding, but I didn’t expect or know about what struggles we could encounter and how to deal with them.
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When our daughter was born, I left the hospital with bruised, cracked and bleeding ni***es. Feedings felt like shards of glass going through my ni***es each time. Thankfully our doula referred us to an IBCLC (internationally board-certified lactation consultant). She saved our breastfeeding relationship!
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It turns out our daughter had pretty major tongue and lip ties. We ended up getting them released by a pediatric ENT and ultimately, that was the best decision for us.
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I wanted to share with you 5 things you need to start your breastfeeding journey and things that I used that helped me tremendously! And if you’re already breastfeeding or still new at breastfeeding, these things can help you too!
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🤱🏻Coconut oil, not lanolin! According to our IBCLC (and my experience), lanolin makes the ni***es more slippery and more difficult for babe to stay latched properly.

🤱🏻Gel nursing pads (put in the freezer). This is for the beginning months of your breastfeeding journey. If you have pain, these will be a lifesaver and I’m so thankful my friend recommended these! Search “medela gel soothing pads on amazon.”

🤱🏻RESUABLE nursing pads. I hated the disposable pads. They stuck to my ni***es and made the pain worse! I used these and loved them! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075R7Q3YM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

🤱🏻An IBCLC. Check out https://www.zipmilk.org or follow for virtual help!
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Tag a mom friend who would find this helpful or if you’re a new mom, save this for later!
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05/06/2021

Do you know how powerful your words are…even at 4 years old?
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My 4.5 year old was invited to Team Gymnastics and had her first team practice yesterday! She is who inspired this post.
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She went in confident and excited and came out not so confident but still somewhat excited! She knew she would be practicing with the “big girls,” who she has admired from afar in her regular, weekly gymnastics class. She became a “big girl” yesterday!
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After practice, she said things like “I was scared,” “they don’t like me,” “I can’t do that again.” AT 4 YEARS OLD! I’ll be damned if my daughter is going through life telling herself those negative thoughts!
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Since yesterday, we have been uplifting her, encouraging her and inspiring her! Hell, she’s inspiring me! She’s inspiring me to keep going, to not give up, to not talk to myself like that because I would never ever talk to her like that!
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You see, you can’t just do something once and when it doesn’t work, give up! You have to try again. You can do hard things IF you really want to!
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You are powerful!
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You are strong!
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You are capable!
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I believe in you!
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Do you believe in you?! Xoxo
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04/19/2021

Do you like green eggs and ham?!
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Wake up before your kids they said…
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It’ll be good for you they said!
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I didn’t believe them! I AM NOT a morning person. I used to wake up to the sound of a crying kid on the monitor or a toddler who would walk into my room, so sweetly (is that even a word 🤷🏽‍♀️) climb on my bed and say “mommy, I’m hungry!”
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Umm…how about “good morning?” 😂😂
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A few weeks ago, I was introduced to and her journaling technique. “I don’t journal, isn’t that like keeping a diary?” Nope! It’s not!
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Fine 😤 I’ll try that too!
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It took me a week or so to get up the motivation to wake up early, 20 minutes, before my kids! But I tried it!
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I liked it! It’s like green eggs and ham…don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
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So, now, even some weekend mornings, I wake up before my kids and journal. I start my day in peace instead of chaos! Oh, and with a hot cup of coffee ☕️ …cold coffee is another post for another day! Hahaha
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Are you team wake up early or wake up to chaos? 👇🏼
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