YVMC Lactation Consultant Dispels Breastfeeding Myths for Western Slope Moms

Lactation consultants aren’t trying to force you to breastfeed. They’re trying to stop you from panicking when you think you’re failing.

The prevailing myth in Western Slope hospitals is that the goal of a lactation specialist is to convert every mother into an exclusive, on-demand nursing machine. That’s not the job. The job is to help parents figure out what their actual goals are and support them in reaching those goals.

Liz Graham, a registered nurse and lactation consultant at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center (YVMC), puts it plainly. It’s not all or nothing. While the evidence for exclusive breastfeeding is overwhelming regarding long-term physical and emotional benefits for both mom and baby, there is no “one-size-fits-all” model.

“Any amount of breast milk is good for baby and beneficial for mom, too,” Graham said.

The pressure on new mothers is immense. Expectant parents walk into YVMC expecting a lecture on guilt. They leave with a toolkit. The clinic offers a breastfeeding basics class that covers milk supply, feeding techniques, breast pumps, and storage. They point to the American Academy of Pediatrics, firstdroplets.com, and kellymom.com for data. But the real value isn’t in the pamphlets. It’s in the reassurance that supplementing with formula isn’t a moral failing. It’s a choice.

Consider the first few days. A full-term baby has reserves that last about 24 hours. They don’t need a gallon of milk immediately. Nature designs a gentle ramp-up. The baby learns to suck and swallow gradually, starting with a smaller volume of colostrum. This fluid is rich in nutrients, antibodies, and antioxidants. It builds the newborn’s immune system.

If the body started pumping full milk on day one, the baby would drown in it. The system is designed to match the skill level of the infant.

Parents worry. They always worry. They ask, “Will it hurt?” and “Will I produce enough?”

Graham says to look at the diapers. That’s the hard data. One wet diaper on Day 1. Two on Day 2. By Day 5, you should see six wet diapers. The stool changes texture and color to yellow and seedy. The breasts feel less full. These are the signs. Not the clock. Not the scale alone.

Newborns typically lose a little weight in the first few days. They get back to birthweight at the two-week mark. If there are no medical issues, this is the standard trajectory.

Before discharge, if a mom is worried, she should speak up. The hospital staff is there to help. But the burden of proof shouldn’t rest solely on the mother’s shoulders. The system is built to support her, not judge her.

The misconception that lactation consultants exist to “make” people breastfeed is dangerous. It creates anxiety. It creates stress. It creates a cycle of failure for women who are already exhausted. Graham wants moms to pick what is best for their family. Do it without guilt.

The short version? You’re not failing if you switch. You’re not a bad mother if you supplement. You’re just making a choice. And that choice is valid.

The real question isn’t whether you’re producing enough milk. It’s whether you’re getting the support you need to decide what “enough” looks like for your specific situation. Most people assume the answer is “exclusive breastfeeding.” That’s wrong. The answer is “whatever works for your family.”

Graham notes that many nursing moms notice their breasts feel less full after nursing. That’s not a loss of supply. That’s the body adjusting. It’s a sign of success.

So, check the diapers. Watch the stool. Trust the biology. And ignore the guilt.