Nourishing Support: Montana Woman's Breastfeeding Journey Enhanced by Caregivers at Intermountain St. James Hospital
August marks National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to celebrate, educate, and advocate for the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
For many new parents, breastfeeding is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and learning curves.
For Tera Hunkler, a caregiver at Intermountain St. James Hospital in Butte, MT, and now a new mom, this journey was deeply personal and profoundly supported by the hospital’s lactation services.
Before giving birth to her daughter, Wren, Hunkler, and her husband met with Jessica Walsh, a lactation consultant at Intermountain St. James Hospital. This prenatal appointment was more than just an educational session, it was a lifeline.
Walsh walked them through breastfeeding basics, recommended bottles and pump equipment, and even measured Hunkler to ensure her pump parts would fit properly. The environment was welcoming, informative, and empowering.
“Having that education before delivery made a huge difference,” Hunkler shared. “It helped us feel prepared for something we really didn’t know much about.”
Despite the preparation, Hunkler encountered challenges early on. Within two days of Wren’s birth, she experienced painful latch issues. Walsh came directly to her hospital room to help with latch techniques and offer practical advice.
“It’s important to remember that breastfeeding is a learned skill – for both mom and baby,” said Walsh. “It’s ok to ask for help. That’s what we’re here for.”
That hands-on support continued after discharge, with follow-up visits to address ongoing pain and to develop a pumping plan as Hunkler returned to work.
“A week after going home, we ended up coming in to see her as well, because we were still having issues with just latching, feeling pain, with breastfeeding, Jessica got us sorted out, which was great,” said Hunkler.
As a healthcare professional, Hunkler acknowledges that even those in the medical field need support.
“I scan babies and work with pregnancy-related care, but being a mom is a whole different experience,” she explained. “Unless you’ve lived it or been educated in it, it’s hard to understand.”
Walsh expressed how, as a mother of three, that while she was able to breastfeed, it wasn’t until her final baby that she found the most success.
“Part of that was having done it before, but the biggest thing that I noticed is I had far more knowledge in lactation by the time I had her, and it made such a significant impact,” said Walsh. “So, I'm really strong believer that coming in and getting information ahead of time is just going to set you off to a much better start."
The importance of prenatal care was also expressed by Hunkler, who echoed that building this relationship prior to delivery helped alleviate some of the challenges.
“Because I met with her ahead of time, I knew who she was and just how sweet and wonderful she was,” said Hunkler. “It made me feel comfortable to reach out when I needed help.”
Hunkler’s story is a powerful reminder of why lactation services, like the ones provided at Intermountain St. James Hospital, are essential.
These professionals are able to provide education before birth to reduce anxiety and increase confidence with immediate support in the hospital during postpartum challenges. Once home, mothers can rely on a lactation consultant for ongoing guidance on feeding and pumping schedules, especially for working parents.