25/03/2025
Lactation Support: A Calling, Not a Detour
People often ask me why I shifted from being a clinical dietitian to specializing in lactation support. Some assume I’ve left dietetics behind, as if I abandoned my original path. But the truth is, I never left—I simply found a deeper purpose within it. My journey into lactation support is not a detour but a heartfelt extension of my passion for nutrition, one that allows me to work with the tiniest, most vulnerable humans at the very start of their lives.
I have always been in awe of newborns—the way they instinctively seek their mother’s warmth, the delicate but determined way they latch, and the unspoken connection between mother and child. Breastfeeding is more than just nourishment; it is love, comfort, and the foundation of a baby’s health. And behind every successful feeding journey is a mother who may be struggling, exhausted, and overwhelmed—yet fiercely committed to giving her baby the best.
As a dietitian, I spent years helping people manage their health through nutrition, but something was missing. I wanted to be there at the very beginning of life’s journey, to make an impact when it matters most. That is what led me to lactation support. I realized that supporting breastfeeding isn’t just about ensuring a baby is fed—it’s about empowering mothers, honoring their struggles, and walking alongside them in those raw, emotional early days.
Lactation support is deeply rooted in dietetics. Breast milk is a baby’s first and most perfect food, tailored by nature to meet every nutritional need. The science behind it is fascinating—how a mother’s body produces exactly what her baby needs, how the composition of milk changes throughout the day, and how it provides protection and immunity. As a dietitian, I use my knowledge to help mothers optimize their own nutrition, ensuring both they and their babies thrive.
But it goes beyond just the science. I have sat with mothers who doubted themselves, who cried through painful latches, who feared they weren’t enough. I have seen the relief in a mother’s eyes when her baby finally latches pain-free, the joy when she realizes she can provide everything her child needs. I have held their hands through moments of frustration and celebrated their victories, no matter how small.
Lactation support isn’t separate from dietetics—it is a specialization, a calling, a way to nurture life at its most fragile stage. It allows me to combine my expertise in nutrition with my passion for supporting mothers and babies. It is where my heart belongs.
So, no, I didn’t leave dietetics. I found its purest, most beautiful form—in the quiet moments between a mother and her baby, in the miracle of human milk, and in the privilege of helping tiny humans get the best possible start in life. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
