5 / 8
crmc.org
5
plan B to use formula, but I really wanted to
try everything to make nursing work.”
After giving birth to their sweet baby boy,
Benjamin, her milk came in very quickly and
abundantly. Willis recalls having to pump her
excess supply the first night in the hospital.
“I was lucky that my supply was good
and my milk was coming in, but as a tiny
newborn, Benjamin had a very difficult time
latching on,” she says.
When babies can latch properly, they
are able to feed more efficiently and cause
less discomfort to the mother. While Willis
was in the hospital, Stonner came to assist.
She showed her proper positioning and
techniques to ensure a good latch.
Great consultations
In the weeks that followed, Willis faced
another nursing challenge—she developed
mastitis. Mastitis is a breast tissue infection
that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth
and redness. It can lead mothers to wean
their baby too early, but continuing
breastfeeding while taking antibiotics for
mastitis is better for the mother and baby.
Willis followed up with Stonner at Capital
Region Physicians – Pediatric Clinic, where
Stonner was providing breastfeeding
consultations to new parents.
During the consultation, Stonner helped
her learn techniques to continue to nurse
through the mastitis until it cleared up.
Although Stonner took leave to care for
a newborn of her own, Willis was able to
continue her consultation appointments
with Hardesty.
“The consultation was great. Before
always planned on breastfeeding, an outlook
that her husband, Andrew, shared. But after
giving birth to their daughter, Adeline, she
wasn’t producing milk. At the same time,
Adeline was having problems latching.
Determined to breastfeed, Rackers worked
with Stonner while she was in the hospital.
“Angie showed me different techniques
to elicit milk production, including using my
pump,” she says. “When my milk finally came
in, Adeline was having a hard time latching
because of her lip position. Angie was able
to show me ways to promote the latch while
I was in the hospital so I felt prepared to do
it on my own after I was discharged.”
‘Proud mommoment’
In the month that followed, Rackers found
that her daughter was continuing to
struggle with her latch. She sought help
from Stonner, who showed her the benefits
of a specific feeding technique that ensured
Adeline was receiving proper nutrients while
breastfeeding.
Now, Rackers gladly passes along this
advice to her friends when they are seeking
guidance for their newborns: “Breastfeeding
is definitely worth the time and effort.
There’s nothing like that ‘proud mom
moment’ when you are providing the main
source of nutrients for your little one.”
“I am very lucky to have a supportive
spouse who helped and encouraged me
through the entire process,” she says.
Katie and Benjamin
“I always knew I wanted to breastfeed,” Katie
Willis says. “My husband, Kevin, and I had a
Angie Stonner, RN, sits with Katie Willis and baby Benjamin.
Angie Stonner, RN, and Miriam Hardesty, RN, are Capital Region
Medical Center’s lactation consultants.
Benjamin was born, we attended the
breastfeeding classes, which helped us
prepare, but the one-on-one help proved
invaluable,” Willis says. “I really felt like both
consultants provided tips and tools I could
use on my own. Now I feel confident I can
continue nursing successfully as long as I
choose to do so.”
“I encourage any breastfeeding mom
or mom-to-be who plans to breastfeed to
always know they have support beyond their
friends and family—right around the corner at
Capital Region,” she adds.
Willis also encourages new moms to not
throw in the towel before they have met with
the lactation consultants at Capital Region.
“Being a new mom or the mom of an
additional child is tough,” she says, “but
having the right keys to success from the
experts at Capital Region makes your
life a little less stressful and boosts your
confidence that you can do it.”
Benjamin is now 5 months old, and Adeline
is 8 months. They are happy, healthy babies.
Both moms plan to nurse them until their
first birthdays.
To schedule an appointment
with a lactation consultant,
please call 573-632-5525.
For breastfeeding questions or
concerns, call the Breastfeeding
Warm Line at 573-632-5333.