mama story: overcoming hurdle after hurdle to nurse my little girl

There are an almost-insurmountable number of decisions for first-time parents. White noise machine? Wipe warmer? Sleep sack? Bassinet? In the midst of all of these decisions, one thing I was certain of was my plan to try to breastfeed. Unfortunately, all of my book-reading, class-attending, and video-watching could not prepare me for the many (MANY!) hurdles in those early days of breastfeeding.

first timeAmy VanHarenAugust 30, 2018first time, lactation support, lactation consultant, nicu, started in the nicu, breastmilk donation, tongue tie, meconium

mama story: pumping was my lifeline to my baby in the NICU

At my 20 week ultrasound appointment all I could think about was the excitement of seeing my healthy baby and learning the gender. I never considered that we'd get a diagnosis for a defect.

Defect. That word was an instant dagger into my perfectionist, "type A" heart. I'd already failed my baby.

started in the NICUAmy VanHarenJuly 26, 2018nicu, started in the nicu, first time, exclusively pumping

making milk in the NICU: it takes a village

"looking back at those first 67 days in the NICU, I am in awe of the village of nursing moms and breastfeeding supporters that helped us along the way"

started in the NICU, exclusively pumpingAmy VanHarenNovember 15, 2017nicu, mama story, pumping, community, started in the nicu, exclusively pumping, preemie, supportComment

my first mother's day: a letter to myself

"on this Mother’s Day, I've given myself a gift and swapped out the negativity for some good old fashion self love. i have decided to write myself a Mother’s Day card."