By Melissa Wagoner
Teryl Graybeal knows first-hand that breastfeeding isn’t always easy.
“I struggled really hard with my first child,” she recalled. “If I hadn’t gotten help I wouldn’t have succeeded.”
That experience stuck with her, inspiring her work as both a registered nurse, specializing in postpartum care, and as an Internationally Board-certified Lactation Consultant – the highest certification in that field – for over 41 years, most recently at Legacy Silverton Medical Center.
“I have a passion to help moms,” Graybeal said.
That passion recently got a new outlet with the founding of Breastfeeding Nanny, a private breastfeeding consultation practice specializing in home visits, classes and support groups.
“I find that [pregnant moms] are not prepared,” Graybeal said of impetus for the initial series of classes, aimed at helping moms begin preparing to breastfeed long before giving birth.
“Like you can get colostrum going before you deliver,” she said, listing other little known facts like, “hand expressing helps the milk come in quicker” and can even lead to a 137 percent increase in milk production overall.
But most importantly, Graybeal strives to give moms the confidence to give breastfeeding a try.
“There are stem cells in breastmilk – a lot of moms don’t realize,” she began, listing just one of the many health benefits breastfed babies receive. “There’s so many things it’s good for that we don’t even know.”
Which is why she works so hard to help moms achieve the goal of supplying breast milk to their new babies – even if it means thinking outside the box.
“There are a lot of options for moms who can’t breastfeed themselves,” she acknowledged. “But I know friends who help friends, sisters who help sisters, and there’s banked milk.”
And Graybeal is here for it all. “I just love helping moms,” she emphasized. “It’s such a good experience.”
Breastfeeding Nanny, Teryl Graybeal
A Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant offering classes, private consultations and breastfeeding support groups at www.calendly.com/teryllactation, [email protected] or 503-910-6862.
