Every week as a private practice lactation consultant brings something new—but this one was especially full. With 16 visits on my schedule, I supported families through everything from sleepy newborns and pumping challenges to bottle refusal and triple feeding plans. No two days were alike, and while the pace was brisk, the stories were rich and meaningful.

I often get asked, “What does a typical week look like for you?” The truth is, there’s no such thing as typical in this work—but I thought it would be fun (and maybe insightful) to share a glimpse into what one very full week looked like. Whether you’re a student IBCLC, a new consultant finding your rhythm, or just curious about what this work entails, I hope this snapshot gives you a deeper appreciation for the heart, hustle, and humanity of lactation support.

Let’s dive into the cases—each one a reminder of why I love this work.

Sunday: Visit 1

One of my visits this week was with Mom E and her newborn daughter Z, just four days old. E reached out because, despite Z latching well and transferring milk effectively, she was experiencing pain at the start of each feed. With her first baby, Z had exclusively pumped for nine months due to persistent latch issues, so she was committed to establishing a more direct breastfeeding experience this time around. During our visit, we adjusted positioning to improve comfort and reviewed techniques for achieving a deep, asymmetrical latch. Z transferred 40mL at the breast and was gaining weight beautifully. We also talked about E’s long-term plan to occasionally pump and introduce a bottle, so I shared guidance on paced bottle feeding, freezer stash building, and milk storage. Like many early postpartum parents, E just needed some reassurance and fine-tuning—and I was so glad to support her through this important transition.

Sunday: Visit 2

This visit was with T and her baby girl B, who was five days old and born late preterm with a history of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). T was concerned about A’s weight—despite frequent breastfeeding, she hadn’t gained since our previous visit two days prior. During the consult, we observed a solid latch and effective suckling, and B transferred 25mL at the breast. While her output was reassuring and she appeared alert and satisfied after feeding, the modest weight transfer and static weight raised some red flags. We put a careful plan in place: feeding every 2.5 to 3 hours, using breast compressions, offering both breasts per session, and monitoring output closely. I reassured T that B looked well-hydrated and responsive but emphasized the importance of follow-up. These are the kinds of cases where timely support can make all the difference—and I’m so glad she reached out when she did.

Monday: Visit 3

I also visited K and her 5.5-week-old son M, who was struggling with fussiness, gassiness, and mucousy stools during and after breastfeeding. K had been working hard to make breastfeeding successful—nursing directly and pumping about eight times a day to build supply. While M was gaining weight well and transferring milk effectively (he took in 35mL during our visit), his symptoms and stool patterns suggested gastrointestinal irritation. I suspected that oversupply, possibly driven by frequent pumping, was leading to a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. I encouraged K to scale back pumping gradually, offer just one breast per feeding, and try laid-back nursing to manage flow. We also discussed possible dairy intolerance or reflux and coordinated care with her pediatrician. This case was a reminder that sometimes more milk isn’t always better—and that supporting both the baby’s and parent’s comfort is just as important as growth charts.

Monday: Visit 4

One of the more complex visits this week was with N and her newborn daughter S, who was just four days old. N had birthed at home and reached out with concerns about jaundice, poor stool output, and latch difficulty. S had lost more than 10% of her birth weight and hadn’t been stooling adequately—there were urate crystals in the diaper, and she appeared yellow-tinged below the nipple line. On assessment, we found that S was struggling to latch due to an anatomical mismatch with N’s very large nipples. With hands-on support, he was able to latch and transfer 20mL, but the feeding was inefficient overall. I put an urgent plan in place: breastfeeding every 2–3 hours, breast compressions, skin-to-skin, and supplementing after each feed with 30mL of donor milk via paced bottle feeding. I also referred them to their pediatrician for a bilirubin check and scheduled a follow-up in two days. It was a reminder that early, responsive support can make a huge difference in helping families get through these tricky early days of breastfeeding.

Tuesday: Visit 5

I also had the pleasure of supporting T and her newborn son K this week. T has severely inverted nipples and, after two previous babies with no successful latching, she made the empowered decision to exclusively pump from the start. At five days postpartum, she was already pumping every four hours and collecting 1.5–3 ounces per session—an excellent output. During our visit, we didn’t attempt latching, as T had experienced significant emotional distress with past attempts, but we focused on optimizing her pumping routine. I encouraged her to increase each session to 15 minutes and use breast compressions to maintain long-term supply. We talked about flange fit, milk supply expectations, and ways to support her own rest and recovery. Most importantly, I validated her choice to pump and acknowledged how much love and effort she was pouring into feeding her baby. Exclusive pumping isn’t always easy—but it’s real breastfeeding, and T is doing an incredible job.

Wednesday: Visit 6

I also saw D and her one-week-old baby, U, for a follow-up visit this week. We had met shortly after birth to address some early challenges with latch and milk supply, and D had been diligently following a feeding plan that included breastfeeding, supplementing with expressed milk, and pumping. At this visit, U transferred 25mL at the breast and was having good diaper output—solid signs of progress. D reported no pain or nipple damage, and she was latching with minimal assistance. We fine-tuned her plan slightly, encouraging continued pumping after each feed and supplementing with 30mL of expressed milk or formula to ensure steady weight gain. D’s confidence is growing along with her supply, and it was great to see the impact of her consistency and dedication. It’s visits like these that remind me how early support and personalized plans can make a big difference in the breastfeeding journey.

Wednesday: Visit 7

Midweek, I visited D and her 19-week-old daughter B for a follow-up and plan for her transition back to work. Their pediatrician had expressed concern about slowed growth, but D reported frequent nursing, a happy baby, and excellent diaper output. During the visit, B transferred an impressive 125mL at the breast—reassuring for a baby her age. Her latch was deep and comfortable, and both mom and baby seemed relaxed and well-attuned. D has been pumping consistently to prepare for return to work. I reassured her that everything looked great: no issues with latch, supply, or milk transfer. We talked about continuing on-demand nursing at home, maintaining a steady pumping routine, and monitoring weight weekly. This was a wonderful example of how a well-supported plan can keep both mom and baby thriving.

Wednesday: Visit 8

I had a follow-up visit with F and her 5-week-old son. Born just shy of term at 36.3 weeks, Q had some early challenges with jaundice and required triple feeding during the first few weeks—but by this visit, he was exclusively breastfeeding. F reached out due to mild pain with latch on the left breast and to get guidance on preparing for her return to work. During the visit, we observed an excellent milk transfer of 85mL and resolved the discomfort with a simple adjustment in positioning. We also discussed building a freezer stash, incorporating a morning pumping session, and reviewed storage guidelines and paced bottle feeding. F ended the visit feeling more confident about her return-to-work plan—and it was such a joy to see how far she and Q have come since those early days of supplementation and uncertainty.

Wednesday: Visit 9

I had a second visit this week with N and her newborn S, now six days old, as we continued to troubleshoot latching challenges. Although S continues to struggle latching effectively at the breast, her overall health was improving—she was more alert, had good tone, and was now stooling well with no signs of urate crystals. N had been diligently following our supplementation plan using donor milk and pumping after every feeding to protect her supply. During this visit, we weren’t able to achieve a latch, but S took 60mL of donor milk via bottle and seemed content. We decided to hold off on active latch retraining until her oral skills mature a bit more and instead continue with paced bottle feeding, frequent skin-to-skin, and consistent pumping. I reminded N that exclusive bottle feeding in the early days is not a failure—it’s a step on the path to meeting their long-term breastfeeding goals. Her dedication is unwavering, and I’m hopeful for where things are headed.

Thursday: Visit 10

I returned this week to see T and her baby B, now 9 days old, for a follow-up to reassess weight gain after some early concerns. B, born late preterm with a history of IUGR, had been feeding frequently at the breast without any recent supplementation. At this visit, she transferred 25mL and appeared alert, well-hydrated, and content after feeding. S reported multiple wet diapers and frequent yellow, seedy stools—all great signs of effective intake. While weight gain is still on the slow side, it’s moving in the right direction, and there were no red flags during the visit. We decided to continue with breastfeeding every 2.5–3 hours, using both breasts at each feed and incorporating breast compressions. No supplementation was needed at this time, but we’ll keep a close eye on progress. It was a relief to see how much steadier things looked just a few days after our last visit—and a testament to T’s attentiveness and commitment.

Friday: Visit 11

To start off Friday, I met with C and her 10-week-old daughter D. D has been exclusively breastfed since birth and is thriving overall, but a slight dip in her growth percentile prompted C to schedule a consult. C is also preparing to return to work and wanted guidance on pumping, flange sizing, and introducing a bottle. During our visit, I observed a calm and connected dyad—D fed eagerly at the breast with a deep, effective latch, and showed signs of fullness after the session. I fitted C for 17mm flanges to optimize her pumping comfort and output, and we reviewed paced bottle feeding, hand expression, and how to build a freezer stash. I reassured her that D appeared well-fed and encouraged her to monitor growth at the next pediatric visit. C’s proactive mindset is exactly what makes a smooth return to work possible, and it was a joy to support her in getting a solid plan in place.

Friday: Visit 12

Another unique visit this week was with W and her 9-month-old son I. W is currently 11 weeks pregnant and reached out after learning I had lost a pound since his last pediatric visit. She was exclusively breastfeeding and worried about whether her pregnancy might be affecting her milk supply. During our visit, we discussed how pregnancy can lead to a natural drop in milk volume and a shift toward colostrum-like milk, which may not provide enough calories for older infants. I is active, healthy, and still nursing well, but his solid food intake had been inconsistent. I encouraged W to continue breastfeeding for comfort and bonding, while also introducing three meals and two snacks per day with high-calorie, nutrient-dense options like nut butters, avocado, and full-fat dairy. We also talked about introducing formula or donor milk if needed. I reassured her that breastfeeding during pregnancy is safe, and that she’s doing the right thing by adjusting I’s nutrition to support his growth through this transition.

Friday: Visit 13

I followed up this week with O and her 6-week-old daughter Q, who are exclusively pumping. Since our last visit, O’s milk supply has increased to 620–630mL per day, now covering about 70% of Q’s daily needs. Q is thriving—taking in  about 900mL daily, gaining weight steadily, and showing all signs of a well-fed baby. O has been incredibly committed, pumping every three hours around the clock. This visit focused on strategies to optimize output—like adding heat, breast massage, and hands-on pumping—and we also built in one longer overnight stretch to help O get more rest. It was clear this family is working as a team to make exclusive pumping successful, and I left the visit encouraged by their progress and dedication. Exclusive pumping requires a different kind of rhythm and resilience, and O is truly finding her stride.

Friday: Visit 14

Next I had a visit with K and her 5.5-week-old son J. Breastfeeding was going smoothly, and I had adapted beautifully to receiving two bottles a day. K had started pumping once or twice daily but hadn’t yet built a consistent routine. With her return to work approaching, she reached out for guidance on wearable pumps and how to structure her pumping schedule. We walked through how to fit and use her wearable pump, set realistic expectations for output, and created a flexible plan: continue breastfeeding on demand at home, maintain two daily bottles, and work up to three pumping sessions per workday. We also discussed milk storage, bottle refusal prevention, and paced feeding. It’s always great to support a parent during this transition, and K is laying a solid foundation for sustaining her breastfeeding journey while returning to work with confidence.

Friday: Visit 15

I finished up with week with B and her one-month-old daughter F. B experienced significant blood loss during birth and poor postpartum pain control, which likely contributed to delayed lactogenesis and ongoing struggles with milk supply. F had only latched a few times since birth and was now primarily formula-fed, with B pumping 3–4 times a day and producing about 1oz per session. Despite the challenges, B was deeply motivated to increase her supply and work toward bringing F back to the breast. We created a structured pumping plan—every 3 hours, 15 minutes per session with hands-on techniques—and introduced daily skin-to-skin and non-nutritive sucking practice to help rebuild breastfeeding readiness. I validated the emotional complexity of their journey and reminded B that her persistence is powerful. Rebuilding supply and reintroducing the breast is absolutely possible—and I’ll be walking alongside her every step of the way.

This week reminded me—yet again—why I love this work. From sleepy newborns and latch struggles to exclusive pumpers and working parents navigating new routines, each family brought their own story, their own challenges, and their own hopes. As an IBCLC in private practice, I don’t just help babies feed—I support families as they learn, adapt, and grow together. It’s an honor to walk alongside them during some of the most tender and transformative days of early parenthood. Whether we’re building supply, easing discomfort, or celebrating a baby’s first successful latch, the work is never routine—and always meaningful.