Jen Kowal

Let’s be honest. Nurses should be celebrated EVERY DAY for all that they do. I know dozens of nurses personally and professionally but there are three I want to call out specifically today for their impact in my life. ❤️.cicetti.devaney at was my mentor from 2014-2017 and got me started on the IBCLC path. She had more confidence in me than I did and for that I’m grateful. Thank you Elizabeth for still being a friend and mentor. ❤️Christina Schlenk was (is?!?) a nurse in the oncology department at Morristown Medical Center in 2020 and she was by my side when I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. She held my hand, we talked, she matched my energy, and was exactly the presence I needed. And when I returned a month later for surgery, the nurses on staff that day called her to make sure she knew I was there and asking for her. and when her shift started she requested my room. It was like having an old friend care for me after surgery, helping me walk to bathroom, etc. I am so grateful for her upbeat and friendly personality always asking me questions about my job and my personal life- keeping me thinking about everything I had to live for rather than everything I had just been through and was about to begin (chemo and radiation). ❤️And lastly, Aubrey Kane, oncology nurse extraordinaire at . Aubrey and I lived in the same building in Glen Ridge prior to my diagnosis and she directed me to MSK for my chemo and radiation. The care I received at MSK was nothing short of life changing. Their approach is centered around the whole person- physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. While I was being treated and did not feel well at all I never once felt like just another patient. Hugs and smiles were plentiful. Small details about personal life were remembered, Sunshine poured into the 3 story tall windows making it feel like a spa, therapists and massages were provided. I couldn’t have asked for a more healing experience. Three years later when I return regularly for my follow up care I’m reminded of how much my mental health and over all wellness has improved because of my experience at MSK. Thank your nurses!

Welcome to a series called: “Tips from a lactation consultant”. I have a bunch more in the works but I want to know what you want to learn about. Drop your ideas below! And then likesharefollow!!!

You feel like you’re drowning. You feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. You can’t feed yourself or even get a shower. I promise you, you got this. What if I told you that all these feelings of overwhelm are normal and expected because learning new things is hard AF? What if I told you it’s all too much because we live in a culture that doesn’t respect women or families and it feels overwhelming because it is overwhelmingly crappy because new moms are supposed to be better supported. What if I told you that the overwhelm changes and we change and the tincture of time changes our perspective and you will get through this? I promise. You got this.

Helping baby latch on comfortably and efficiently in the early days can feel elusive. Here are five tips that when used together help improve things for many people. Need help? Book an appointment. Found this helpful? Share with a friend!

Moms and parents tell us all the time that they feel like they aren’t doing enough, trying hard enough, rest enough, patient enough, playing enough, etc. we hear you. We see you. We understand. And we also think you are enough. If you love your baby and you are caring for them, you are enough. We all show up differently in different parts of our lives and none of us can show up perfectly in all areas. We wouldn’t expect perfection from our littles, why do we expect it from ourselves? You are enough.