I gave birth to our first child last week, and I had no idea what I was doing when it came to breastfeeding. All the nurses told me that the lactation consultant, Pam, was magical, and I couldn’t wait to meet her. My daughter had some trouble latching, so the next morning Pam came in, and from then on I knew I’d be able to conquer this daunting journey. Every time I had a question, Pam was in the room not only answering it but showing me how to succeed the best. When our daughter would poop when she was in there, Pam would change her diaper. When she wasn’t latching, Pam would figure out why, and help her relieve gas, open my milk ducts, or change her angle. She would root me on and encourage my daughter even with the slightest “win”. She made me feel like the best mom ever, even when I was just performing basic tasks.

My favorite Pam moment was when I had been home for a couple of days and my milk came in and my baby wouldn’t latch at all anymore, and I was in so much physical pain and worried I’d never be able to breastfeed. I emailed Pam and within 24 hours I was in her office for a consult, and she explained to me how clogged I was and helped me massage all the ducts out. She praised her for her resilience and her poop consistency and repeatedly told me how great a job I was doing. Ever since then, she has breastfed like a champion, and Pam has been available via email to answer any other questions I’ve had. I told my husband as we left her office, “Every time I’m around Pam it’s like I’m in a desert and she’s rain nourishing and reviving my dry soul.” Pam is an asset and a gift to my daughter, my husband, and me, and she is so deserving of this award.