When it comes to learning to breastfeed, having a strong team makes a difference.
The third time was the charm for Heather, an administrative assistant at Our Lady of the Angels who has been part of our team for a decade.
Heather’s Path to Motherhood
Heather and her her husband, Blake, are proud parents of three boys — Jaden, Jordan and Greyson. Their path to becoming parents was anything but straightforward.
After being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Heather and her husband struggled with fertility. Persistence paid off, and they were blessed with their first two sons, who are 15 and 14.
Heather experienced miscarriages before welcoming their third son, their “rainbow baby,” a term that represents hope and healing after loss. Grey is about to turn 5.
Overcoming Challenges: An Honest Reflection
Reflecting on her past experiences with breastfeeding, Heather says it wasn’t easy.
“With Jaden, I was a new mom and didn’t know much about breastfeeding,” she says. “I thought it would be simple, but it was far from it. I lasted about three weeks.”
When her second son, Jordan, was born prematurely and spent 27 days in the NICU, breastfeeding was even more challenging.
“I was bonded to an obnoxiously loud medical-grade pump instead of my baby,” she recalls.
Finding the Right Support
When Heather found out she was pregnant with Grey, she set her sights on making breastfeeding work.
“I really wanted that bond with my baby,” she says. “I wanted to nourish him and help him grow, to have those moments of looking at his sweet little face while breastfeeding.”
Heather’s determination was met with invaluable support from Patsy Welch, RN, director of nursing for labor and delivery at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, whom Heather credits with helping her surpass her goals.
“Patsy was amazing,” Heather says. “She was a voice of encouragement and patience, and she gave me hope that I didn’t have before. She would call to check on me, and even when I had to bring Grey to the hospital for bilirubin and weight checks, she was there for me.”
Patsy’s mantra, “A fed and full baby is the goal,” still echoes in Heather’s mind. “It took the pressure off and helped me realize that no matter how I fed my baby, I was still a good mom.”
And in the hard moments, Patsy was there for Heather too.
“Pasty would hug me and pray for me. She would hold onto me while I cried in my moments of hormone changes and frustration,” Heather says. “Blake and Patsy praying with me helped me so much. Breastfeeding is God’s design, so asking him to help my body was a natural flow for us.”
With that support, Heather was able to breastfeed Grey for nine weeks, far exceeding her initial goal of one month. She experienced the unique bond she had hoped for, but more importantly, she found peace knowing her journey to feed all three of her boys, each in their own way, was a success.
A Testament to the Power of Community
Heather’s experience with breastfeeding Grey taught her the importance of support — whether from her husband, her obstetrician Maria Buenaflor, MD, or Patsy.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” Heather says. “The support system made all the difference.”
For any mother out there who might be struggling, Heather’s story offers hope and a reminder that you’re not alone. “I hope by sharing my story it can help someone going through something similar,” she says.
Every mother’s journey is unique. Heather’s experience is a reminder that no matter the challenges, with the right support, every mom can find her way.
