When I was pregnant with my oldest, I was overly confident, almost cocky! I figured I was a pediatrician, right? I spent all day helping moms with their babies. I was an “expert”…
Nope, I was totally wrong. Being a pediatrician did not make at all prepared for motherhood. While I knew so much about the medical side, I was totally lost when it came to the day-to-day of being a mom.
Breastfeeding was particularly hard. I had bought into the idea that it was easy and natural and when we struggled, I felt guilty and like a failure. I had no idea what I was doing and my son was small. The combo wants great.
But I was so lucky. Our pediatric office had two amazing IBCLCs who saw us weekly and supported us in making the best choices for us, supported our journey as we wanted it to be. I am eternally grateful to them for their support.
And I want to pay it forward. I know how hard it can be, the feelings that can overwhelm, and I want to help other moms the way I was helped. Providing support and education around breastfeeding is now a passion of mine and I am so excited to be able to add the letters IBCLC after my MD.
Tell me about your breastfeeding journey. Did you have the support you needed?
About Dr. Shea
Dr. Shea grew up in Florida and is fluent in Spanish. She spent two years abroad in Italy where she worked as a physician at the Health Unit of the US Embassy, Rome. During her training she developed an interest in international Child Health. She enjoys spending time reading novels, running for fitness and eating at new restaurants.
