June 17th, 2018, A day I have been waiting for my whole life, yet a day that I was unprepared for. It was the day I gave birth to my daughter, Evelyn. She was 2 weeks early and weighed 5lbs 15oz.  I wanted to try breastfeeding but I wasn’t completely committed. I wanted to wait and see how the experience went before making a decision. My little girl would latch like a pro, however she would fall asleep immediately and not eat. I felt like a failure and like I was being judged. Then I met June, the lactation consultant that changed my entire outlook on breastfeeding.  June took her time with me.  She showed me different ways to hold Evelyn while breastfeeding and how to keep Evelyn awake.
        The first night after bringing Evelyn home things took a turn. She was falling asleep again and not eating.  Evelyn started having crystals in her urine, and she lost weight.  The pediatrician told me to give Evelyn 1oz of formula after breastfeeding. I called June crying, wanted to quit breastfeeding, and switch to formula. She cleared her schedule to see me and Evelyn first thing the next morning.  June showed me how to hand extract my milk and feed Evelyn with a little cup. June talked to me, made me realize that I can do this, and that Evelyn was going to get the hang of it.  Later that day, Evelyn was finally breastfeeding for longer periods of time and then having 1oz of formula afterwards. I was mentally, physically, and emotional exhausted. That same day, my breast pump arrived. In my head I was thinking “great another challenge, another thing to learn, another thing to put on my plate.”  I again called June crying and asking for help. She was ready to teach me how to use the pump. The next day Evelyn and I went back to see June. We showed her our amazing improvements and that Evelyn was starting to gain some weight. June was going on and on about how proud she was, and hugged Evelyn and myself. 
       My husband and I agree, it’s very hard to find someone that loves their job as much as June does. Because of June’s patience, dedication, and teachings, I was able to happily breastfeed my daughter until she weaned herself at 17 months. Then fast forward to today, I happily breastfed my 2nd daughter for 21 months. Now that my breastfeeding journey has come to an end, I owe everything to June. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I never would have had such an amazing bonding experience with girls without you.