Yes, you are one of those LC's that actually helped out greatly with your huge knowledge of all things breastfeeding. I am grateful you got us through the rough patch, otherwise, I most likely would have given up and went with the bottle, and poor little Aidan would have gone on with his torticollis, tongue tie, and plagiocephaology for who knows how long, if not forever, so you hold a very dear place in our heart for all you have done.  Breastfeeding used to be so frustrating for me when he would goof around or take little interest, but instead, I now know what it feels like to have that nurturing bond that women talk about. Plus I love how he oftentimes looks so lovingly into my eyes when he's on breast.

~ Jennie

At 5 months, our son decided to 'quit' breastfeeding and preferred expressed milk via a bottle. Prior to seeing Shari, we saw three other lactation consultations; with no progress...no one was able to figure out from birth why he would not latch on and breastfeed. Shari is amazing, she figured out he was tongue tied, and had torticollis, plagiocephology as well as birth trauma.... everything even our pediatrician missed. She has an incredible team of healthcare practitioners to help us resolve this. We quickly worked on getting him back on the breast.

Shari was so much of a support system that had we not found her, we probably would have quit trying to breastfeed out of frustration and went to the bottle thinking this feat was impossible. Instead, she gave us a plan, what to do when he refused breast, and slowly he made progress. Some days, I was ready to quit trying, but Shari would check in daily to see how we were doing and to give us the motivation and push to continue to try. She provided a lot of knowledge from her extensive experience that his behavior was 'normal' after being used to the bottle for so long, and how I can circumvent that in order to move forward. Every day, she reminded me that we could do it. Sure enough, after his tongue tie and her techniques, our boy was back on the breast and is now such an avid breast feeder. 

Getting a 5 month back to being interested in the breast was no easy task, but Shari helped us though it. I am forever grateful for her help.  She is a huge resource in all things breastfeeding, every question I had, she had an answer and took the time to explain everything thoroughly that made sense. And all her techniques worked! Breastfeeding used to be so frustrating for my son and me.

Now, he breastfeeds like a champ, and I now know how it feels to have that nurturing bond. She has also taught me why breast milk directly from breast is much better than expressing it and giving it in a bottle. Shari will forever hold a very dear place in our heart for helping us through this rough patch. Thank you Shari, you are the best out there.

~ Jennie

I first met Shari at one of her regular Breastfeeding Q&A’s at Babies by the Sea. Shari then consulted with us when my son was 5 days old. I felt he had a shallow latch and was starting to have some pain, and knew we needed to get some help before the situation got any worse. She was great with us- she really helped with latching on and making breastfeeding more comfortable and efficient for both of us.

Little did we know what was in store for us over the next few weeks. My milk ducts started to plug up and Shari helped us ward off the situation before it reached mastitis. Luckily we saw improvement in a few short days.

Then when my son was about 3 weeks old he started developing sensitivities, or allergies, to the foods in my diet. He reacted very strongly by way of very painful gas, diaper rash, acne, and bouts of screaming and crying in pain for hours on end. Shari and I kept in touch and she was a great help throughout this trying time. Over the next 3 weeks, we identified all of the foods that my son is sensitive to, cleaned out both of our systems and started to heal our guts. I have eliminated all of the allergens from my diet (wheat, dairy, soy, corn, nuts, and gluten), and my son is truly a different baby.

I felt lucky to have Shari’s support during those first four months. I feel if we hadn’t met Shari we might have labeled our baby ‘colicky’ instead of discovering the true problem. It was a long road, but Shari constantly had suggestions and ideas of how to make my son more comfortable and was always there to talk on the phone or by email. I truly appreciate her wealth of knowledge, tips, and willingness to help in any way she could.
My son is now 5 months old and such a happy and healthy baby. He is still sensitive to a long list of foods, but at least our systems are clean and our entire family is much happier!

~ Kirstin

mother of Declan