I am so excited to feature a blog on McKenzie Benton, CLC (almost IB), a dedicated professional who supports new mothers across Baldwin County. McKenzie provides invaluable support to new mothers, and in this Baldwin County Lactation counselor interview we dive into her expertise, and the incredible impact she has on a mother’s breastfeeding journey.
Meet McKenzie: A Leading Lactation Counselor in Baldwin County
For starters, I asked McKenzie a series of questions, and she shared a wealth of information and insight that I know you will find valuable as a mom who is planning to breastfeed, who is currently breastfeeding, and even who has breastfed in the past. We will also discuss some challenges and benefits of breastfeeding, what makes her stand out in the field of lactation consultants, and the breastfeeding support group she hosts!
The Benefits of Breastfeeding: Insights from a Baldwin County Breastfeeding Counselor
As a mother myself, I have firsthand experience in just how beautiful the breastfeeding journey is. McKenzie is here to agree! But are you aware of the magnificent benefits of breastfeeding for not only your baby, but for you too?! Personally, I am always amazed at the wonderful things our bodies can do and reading what McKenzie had to say left me in amazement all over again.
Health Benefits for Babies and Moms
Her words were,
“Breastfeeding is not only a beautiful and bonding experience with your baby, [but also] extremely important in developing baby’s immune system and setting up a healthy gut biome. For mom, breastfeeding decreases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, heart disease, and both female cancers, breast and ovarian. For baby, in addition to kickstarting the development of their immune system by transferring specific antibodies through the colostrum, it significantly decreases their risk of dying from SIDS. If a mom exclusively breastfeeds for AT LEAST 2 months, she decreases the risk of SIDS by over 50%!!! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, then continued in addition to complementary foods to 2 years of age or longer if mom and baby prefer.”
Common Breastfeeding Challenges and Solutions
But isn’t breastfeeding hard?! Yes, it definitely has it challenges! I’ve breastfed three children, all three for a full year. Each child had her own unique challenges, just like each pregnancy did. My first child spent the first 11 days of her life in the NICU at USA Women’s and Childrens in Mobile, Alabama. I give 100% of credit to the NICU lactation consultants for our success story. My third child suffered from a lip tie, which I will speak on in another blog soon so please follow for that!
Here’s what McKenzie had to say about the common breastfeeding challenges,
“A very common challenge that I see comes more from the fear or worry that they won’t “make enough milk” for their baby. A baby’s stomach is roughly the size of a marble when it is born, so a mom who only sees drops of colostrum at a time being expressed is actually producing exactly what baby needs! Every time a baby latches on the breast, it provides stimulation that induces hormone production and release of breastmilk. The amount expressed increases as the baby’s demand for it increases. To put it simply, as baby’s stomach grows, mom’s production will also grow. It is actually quite uncommon for a mom to not produce enough milk for her baby. The key is having support at home and in daily life!”
That’s a relief, am I right?! If you are a mom, I’m sure you’ve joined a few mom-related support groups on Facebook – “Alabama Gulf Coast Moms Group”, “Laid Back Moms of Mobile, “Mom’s Night Out – Baldwin County”, and “Baldwin County Moms Group” are just a few of the ones I’m in myself, and I see it ALL of the time – “HELP! My supply is low, and I return to work in a week!” I’m sure so many of you have seen photos on social media of freezers stashed to the brim of frozen breastmilk – please remind yourself that is NOT necessary. Being a “just enougher” is exactly what you should aim for!
Free Lactation Consultations at North Baldwin Infirmary, Bay Minette
As I already mentioned, I give tons of credit to the lactation consultants in Mobile for my success story in breastfeeding my first child. What I haven’t mentioned is I also visited McKenzie in Bay Minette, at North Baldwin Infirmary just 4 weeks post-partum with my third baby! Now, that story is a wild one that I won’t get into… However, I will tell you that it was a phenomenal experience, and it cost me absolutely NOTHING to see her.
Here’s more, directly from McKenzie,
“I provide outpatient lactation consultations at the hospital! These are completely free of charge, and all breastfeeding moms, regardless of where they delivered, are welcome to come to the hospital for an outpatient visit. I address latching and positioning issues, conduct weighted feeds, and really just offer support [and encouragement] for moms who are trying to be successful in their journey. I really find that the weighted feeds offer an abundance of relief for moms! You can’t necessarily “measure” how much milk baby is getting at the breast, so a mom has to rely on how much output baby is having in a day, as well as baby’s overall disposition. So, when a mom can see on the scale, the exact number of milliliters or ounces her baby is transferring, it’s like an instant relief and confirmation for her that things really are going well.”
Along with her free outpatient lactation consults, McKenzie also hosts a breastfeeding support group every third Thursday of the month. The group is hosted at Java J’s coffee shop, in Bay Minette (yay, coffee and snacks!) The group is called Baby Bistro. As McKenzie says,
“it’s a really great opportunity for moms to be in a room full of other moms who are on the same breastfeeding journey but at different points. That mom-to-mom information sharing they are able to get is another form of support, and I have seen so many successes and friendships arise from it.”
Join Us for World Breastfeeding Month Celebration on August 15th, 2024 at the Civic Center in Bay Minette
Event Highlights: Lunch, Talks, and Giveaways
August is also World Breastfeeding Month. McKenzie and North Baldwin Infirmary are hosting a special event on August 15th at the Bay Minette Civic Center. This celebration is for all past, present, and future breastfeeding mothers. The event will feature a catered lunch by Java J’s, talks from pelvic floor therapists, free car seat checks by certified Labor and Delivery nurses, an array of great giveaways and door prizes., and Cups for a Cure will be present. This is a free event and a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your breastfeeding journey and connect with other moms in the community!
Personalized Support and 24/7 Access for New Moms
The support I found in McKenzie is enough to make me write this blog, and then scream-read it from the rooftops. I have first-hand experience with three hospitals in our local area, and the care, dedication, and all-around LOVE that flows from McKenzie is unmatched by any other lactation consultant I’ve seen. I have delivered, and met lactation consultants, at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, USA Women’s and Children’s in Mobile, and also Mobile Infirmary. McKenzie says this job brings her joy, and after working closely with her I can witness to that. Unlike other consultants, once you visit her for an outpatient appointment you have access to her 24/7, including her personal cell phone number. THAT is dedication and love.
McKenzie says,
“The continued support I am able to give the moms who come and see me [really sets me apart in the field of lactation consultants]. I make myself available not just Monday through Friday while I’m at the hospital, because breastfeeding issues don’t just happen on that schedule. So, once a mom comes and sees me, she leaves with my personal contact info. If I can help a mother be successful in her breastfeeding journey, or even just become a support person for her regardless of the situation, then I’ve done my job, and it brings me so much joy!”
Her dedication goes hand-in-hand in making sure to stay up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in breastfeeding by reading, continuing education through Gold Learning, and being a part of the Alabama Breastfeeding Committee, whose purposes is to stay up to date and promote and protect breastfeeding.
Additionally, McKenzie has a really good relationship with the pediatricians and family medicine, and OB physicians at North Baldwin. When she reaches out, she says
“…they don’t hesitate to call or refer a mom who is struggling with breastfeeding or a baby who is struggling to get back to birthweight. We [always] communicate and collaborate on their care in this regard.” She also has multiple contacts for things like oral restriction referrals to dentists, and chiropractors who work with newborns and babies.
How to Reach Breastfeeding Counselor, McKenzie for Breastfeeding Support in Baldwin County
Contact Information and Final Words of Advice from McKenzie
If you are a resident or visitor in Bay Minette, or any of its neighboring cities in Baldwin County, and you are seeking to get in touch with McKenzie for any reason, reaching out to her is just a phone call away. You may reach her by calling 251-239-2296, to schedule an in-person appointment with her at North Baldwin Infirmary. Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to McKenzie for help and support within your breastfeeding journey – rather you are a new mom, first time mom, or are months into your journey!
Encouragement for All Breastfeeding Moms
After struggling to give just one piece of advice to you moms, McKenzie would like to share ONE thing with you. She says,
“…I really want all mothers to know that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes and that being a mother is one of the greatest journeys they will ever embark on.” In addition to that, she says, “[Just] ask for help! Know that it is okay to have concerns, questions and worries! But know that by breastfeeding, you are doing the absolute most to ensure the health and wellness of your baby.”
Highlighting the work of dedicated Baldwin County lactation counselor like McKenzie is such an honor. Not only as a newborn photographer, but as a mother, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of her support on new mothers. If you’re in the area and need breastfeeding assistance, don’t hesitate to contact McKenzie. Together, you can make your breastfeeding journey beautiful and successful!
