About – Breastfeeding Boss

I believe you shouldn’t have to begin your breastfeeding experience feeling afraid, clueless...or just hoping for the best.

Instead, the day you give birth you should feel confident about breastfeeding…knowing what to expect, what to do, and how to approach any obstacles.

I was not confident about breastfeeding...
nor was I prepared.

Unfortunately for me, in June 2017, after I had survived my first sleepless night with a new baby boy, I realized I was not confident about breastfeeding…nor was I prepared.

I had unanswered questions like...

When will the pain end?
How long should my baby nurse with each feeding?
Is my baby getting enough milk?
How do I deal with an overactive "letdown"?
How do I use a breast pump?
Am I pumping enough milk?

I had all these questions, even being an Ob/Gyn.

Hey Mama

I’m Joy Green, MD.

A mama of two, an Ob/Gyn, and now an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).

My guilty pleasure is “reality” TV…particularly the Real Housewives series. I believe mimosas are not meant only for brunch (#nightcap). I try my hardest to wake up at 6AM to hit the gym to lose my baby weight.

But back in 2017, I was expecting my first baby, and just like you I was feeling worried and fearful about breastfeeding.

Why?

Because prior to becoming an Ob/Gyn, I had never really seen anyone breastfeed in my everyday life. It wasn’t really a thing. Breastfeeding was not the norm.

Black mamas have the lowest breastfeeding rates.

In a survey of children born in 2017…

About 75% of non-Hispanic Blacks were ever breastfed in contrast to 87% of non-Hispanic Whites.

By 12 months, only 26% of non-Hispanic Blacks had any breastfeeding versus 38% of non-Hispanic white children.

Source: CDC

MY MiSSion

through one-on-one breastfeeding prep and support which starts before you begin your breastfeeding experience.

"When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was also concerned about my breastfeeding success."

I was afraid that breastfeeding would be painful. I was worried if I would be able to fit pumping into my already busy work day (and night). But, I knew I wanted to breastfeed more than anything because I knew how beneficial it would be for myself and my baby.

So what did I do to prepare for breastfeeding?

took a breastfeeding class at my hospital
read a breastfeeding book
watched YouTube videos to find the best breast pump
joined a Facebook group for breastfeeding support
questioned the only 2 people I personally knew who had success with breastfeeding...my medical assistant and a friend.

But even after doing all the above…I still was not prepared.

"When my son was 4 days old, I met with a lactation consultant. All my worries went away."

Once my son was born…the first 24 hours, he did not latch. And once he did, it was so painful, that I panicked everytime he nursed. So, during the first few days, I texted my friend asking:

“When will the pain end?”

“Is this normal?”.

And I questioned myself, “what am I doing wrong? I was so worried.

But, when my son was 4 days old, all my worries went away because I met with a lactation consultant. She reassured me, answered my questions, and gave me tips. I knew what to expect going forward. I went from clueless to confident. But I wish I had been confident, well before I struggled. Eventually, the pain went away, I went back to work, and even though I had more challenges throughout my experience, I was still able to breastfeed for 14.5 months…2.5 months beyond my goal.

This opened my eyes to the fact that many mamas aren't fully prepared for breastfeeding.

Many breastfeeding classes just scratch the surface of what a new mama needs to know to feel confident as she starts her breastfeeding experience.

I believe you shouldn’t have to worry about what to expect, what to do if challenges arise, or how you will fit breastfeeding into your everyday life with working, sleeping, being in a relationship, or caring for your other kid (s). Instead you should feel confident and prepared.

Through my one-on-one breastfeeding preparation and support, I can help you prepare for your breastfeeding experience so that even if challenges arise, you can face them with confidence and ease.