Our baby girl was taken to the NICU at 17 hours of life for hypoglycemia and tachypnea.  This was our first baby, and we were very scared.  

We met Susan when we were in the NICU.  My baby girl was very easily overstimulated, had a feeding tube, an IV, suck and swallow issues, and would scream every time she was put to the breast.  Susan worked patiently with us and was the most encouraging person.  She always pointed out things I was doing right and always complimented on my ability to stay calm which made me feel driven to keep trying to be successful in my breastfeeding journey.  She shared with my husband and me a video about the Happiest Baby on the Block so that we would feel successful in calming our overstimulated, crying baby.  

Susan made sure that I knew how to use the hospital pump and encouraged me to be consistent in pumping even when I was tired.  She was hands-on, encouraging, and supportive.  I shared with Susan that I couldn’t stand holding the pumps and that it was annoying to me because of how exhausted I was from the c-section.  Susan showed up to my room on the maternity floor with a tube top, which she cut holes in so that I could be hands-free with the pump.  It sounds like a small thing, but to me, it was huge.  It meant I could tolerate pumping and encourage my milk supply to increase.  

Susan not only complimented me but also recognized my husband for how supportive he was of me.  In addition, she spoke to my family when they visited, and made us feel like a friend rather than a patient.

We even had an outpatient visit with Susan, where she commented on how much improvement she sees in our latch and our breastfeeding technique.  It meant so much that she remembered and could recognize how hard I had been working.  

Susan is the reason I did not give up on trying to breastfeed and the reason, five weeks later, I am still successfully breastfeeding and pumping.  We will forever be grateful for the impact Susan had on our journey.