Shine in 2024

First of all, thank YOU for being a part of Shine Lactation + Postpartum Support. Whether you are a lactation client, newborn sleep support client, TOTS client, or simply here to check out what is happening on the blog, I am thankful for you and love that you are here.

In just a couple of months it will have been two years since the “birth” of Shine Lactation + Postpartum Support. I honestly think back and can hardly remember how it even began? A private practice was very intriguing to me and I knew that more families could be served and supported during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives—-bringing a newborn into their home.

Shine has been “on the job” training at its finest. The many different experiences it has provided has grown me in ways I could have never imagined. I quickly learned that older babies present their own unique challenges. And these unique challenges were going to require me to have additional training.

One year ago today, on December 31st I purchased the IBCLC Masterclass and finally completed it this past June. This class has provided me with the additional education needed to build my confidence surrounding babies and their oral function. It was likely one of the more intense classes and equally beneficial to my practice. Not always, but the majority of my families are coming to me because there is some type of difficulty with breastfeeding. Learning to appropriately assess oral function of the baby as it pertains to both breast and bottle feeding babies has been fascinating. Along with referring to trusted providers within my circle, the testimonies of these families speak for themselves. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn these practice changing skills.

Older babies also brought with them the dreaded bottle refusal. I was seeing this over and over again with my families as breastfeeding moms were transitioning back to work. In fact, I experienced this with all four of my babies as well. It is perhaps one of the greatest challenges families face. I shudder to think of some of the guidance I have given to families the past few years based on my own experience with this. After having multiple bottle refusal cases in a row, I made the decision to take a specific class Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs. This class was another practice changing course also giving me the confidence in assisting families with bottle refusal. I had no idea how rewarding it would be to help a family conquer this small hurdle in the journey of feeding their babies!

2024 Timeline

January—started IBCLC MasterClass
February—networking meeting with SJ Nuzum Photography
March—first introduction to solids consult
April—first re-lactation consult
May—first TOTS client and referral relationship began with Dr. Iseman at Wichita Pediatric Dentistry
June—Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs Class completed
July—IBCLC MasterClass completed
August—National Breastfeeding Month SHINE event and photoshoot with SJ Nuzum Photography
September—RECORD BREAKING month!!! [36 visits]
October—I was “Batty” for Breastfeeding
November—Bottle Refusal success story
December—the cutest elves ever… (see below!)

2024 in Numbers

210 Visits
69 Families
104 Home Visits
68 Office Visits
38 VideoCare Visits
5 Newborn Sleep Support Families
8 TOTS Families
Oldest baby—23 months
Youngest baby seen—less than 24 hours old
43 Girls
26 Boys
1 Repeat Customer!!!!
110 miles—furthest home visit
9—Google Reviews—-THANK YOU!!!
More than 85 % families received lactation support for FREE through my partnership with The Lactation Network