I thought breastfeeding was going well.

My daughter wanted to nurse all the time, and I believed that meant everything was working the way it should. I had prepared for birth, taken the classes, read the books, and even met with the hospital lactation consultant. I walked into motherhood believing I had done everything “right.”

Then we went to her first pediatrician appointment.

She had lost a significant amount of weight.

I remember feeling completely devastated.

I questioned everything I was doing. I carried an overwhelming sense of guilt, wondering if I had unknowingly failed my baby.

I pumped everything I could, hoping to increase my milk supply and provide as much breast milk as possible. Despite my efforts, I never made a full milk supply and eventually transitioned to formula.

Looking back now, I don’t wish that my story had a different ending because formula was somehow the “wrong” choice. My daughter was fed, healthy, and deeply loved.

What I wish is that I had known I wasn’t alone.

I didn’t know outpatient lactation support existed.

I didn’t know there were additional tools, strategies, and options available after we left the hospital.

Most of all, I didn’t know how much the right support could change a family’s feeding journey.

As our family grew, so did my confidence. My husband and I were blessed with five incredible children, and each one taught me something different about feeding, flexibility, and motherhood. My last three breastfeeding journeys looked very different from my first—not because I had become a perfect parent, but because I had gained knowledge, confidence, and support.

Those experiences changed me.

They taught me that no two feeding journeys are ever the same—not even within the same family.

They taught me that parents don’t need someone to judge them.

They need someone to listen.

Someone to educate.

Someone to reassure them that they’re not alone.

That’s what inspired me to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

After leaving my career as a pharmacy technician, I knew I wanted to remain in healthcare, but in a role where I could build relationships and walk alongside families during one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

Today, one of my favorite parts of being an IBCLC is meeting families in their own homes. I have the privilege of listening to their concerns, helping them understand what’s happening, and finding solutions that align with their goals—not someone else’s expectations.

There is nothing more rewarding than watching a parent finish a visit feeling lighter, more confident, and more hopeful than when I arrived.

(And if I’m being honest… getting to cuddle babies almost every day is a pretty wonderful bonus. It lets me enjoy all those sweet newborn snuggles without convincing my husband we need a sixth. 😊)

If there’s one thing I hope every family knows, it’s this:

💛 You are not alone.

💛 Feeding your baby is not a measure of your worth as a parent.

💛 There is no shame in asking for help.

💛 Every family’s feeding goals deserve respect.

💛 My role isn’t to tell you what your journey should look like—it’s to help you achieve the feeding journey that’s right for your family.

As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, I’m honored to share a piece of my story. I hope it reminds you that asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure.

Every family deserves support.

And no one should have to navigate their feeding journey alone.

By Crystal McIntosh, IBCLC | Whole Women Nutrition