Lactation Consultant Services
Great Expectations is excited to introduce a new member of our team! Her name is Erika Kusche and she is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who will be providing lactation consultant services and helping us lead some post partum “playdates” for the moms that come through our office at the Nest. Stay tuned to see the cool things that are in the works!
Erika has a Bachelors of science in nursing from Baylor University and is a certified NICU nurse with 9 years of NICU experience as well as being an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). In her own words, here is a bit about Erika.
How did you get involved with breastfeeding support?
In nursing school I took a Lactation elective and fell in love with everything breastfeeding. My experiences in my job and in my personal life just furthered my passion for wanting to help women meet their breastfeeding goals. Anytime I am able to help a mother and baby and make it better than it was before thrills me.
What do you do when you are not helping women and babies?
I hang out with my family. My husband Chris and I have 4 boys, 3 with us and one that passed away shortly after he was born – and a dog we love named Bailey. Between work and family life I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies, but I do try to take the time to visit the gym at least 3 times a week. I also like to read and I love to shop!
What is the best advice you would give to an expecting women who is planning to breastfeed?
Try to educate yourself NOW – before your baby gets here. Take a class, read books, go online. Knowing a little of what to expect seems to help a lot.
What is the worst advice you hear?
The worst advice I hear is when a woman has been told that breastfeeding is supposed to hurt! Usually if it hurts, and certainly if there are visible signs of nipple trauma, something is not quite right.
If you had 1 minute to give advice to a new nursing mom, what would you say?
Anyone struggling with anything related to breastfeeding should see an IBCLC. I also believe anyone not struggling per se, but just needing reassurance or questions answered should also see one. Honestly, I think all first time mothers would benefit from at least one Lactation Consultant visit!
Do You Need a Lactation Consultant?
Are you a new or expecting mother with questions about breastfeeding? Contact Erika to set up an appointment. Also stayed tuned for breastfeeding class announcements and other post partum groups that Great Expectations will be announcing soon to support new families.