Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lacy Duffett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lacy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I did not have one single “defining moment” that changed the trajectory of my career, but instead a brief period of time in my nursing career that opened my eyes to a new possibility and passion. The bulk of my time as a RN has been spent caring for pediatric and post-surgical patients, but during nursing school I always knew that I wanted the chance to work on an OB unit. About 8 months after having my first daughter I was offered a position on a Mother-Baby unit in a local hospital. While working there, a good portion of my time as a bedside nurse was spent assisting new mothers with breastfeeding. The first few days after giving birth are a vulnerable and beautiful whirlwind for new mothers, it always felt like such a blessing to be a part of it! Working alongside the lactation consultants at the hospital brought me to realization that things could have gone differently with my own breastfeeding experience, if I had just had better support. Shortly after taking on this new role I was on my way to earning the extra education and seeking out the 500 hour internship that is required to sit for the IBCLC exam.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been a registered nurse since May of 2014 and went on to become a Certified Pediatric Nurse shortly after. I earned my IBCLC in June of 2023 and opened my private practice, Happy Latch Lactation Co., in October of 2023. My heart has always been invested in serving the pediatric population, but I have also always had a love for the birth world! After having 2 children of my own with significantly different birth and breastfeeding experiences, I know how important the proper support is during these beautiful but challenging times.

When I first started my training to become a lactation consultant I was unsure where I wanted to work when it was complete, I just knew that this new career path was my calling. About halfway through my internship it was clear that I wanted to help mothers outside of the hospital setting. I wanted the chance to build a rapport with them, to support them for as long as necessary, and to build a private practice offering the support that I wish I had during my own personal breastfeeding struggles.

I am currently the only lactation consultant in my practice but I hope to expand by bringing on a few team members soon! I offer lactation support prenatally through the educational courses I have created, as well as through consultations that help mothers prepare to breastfeed before the birth of their little ones. I provide postpartum lactation support in-home, in my clinic space, and virtually. I am very well versed in oral function rehab and oral ties and have also completed continuing education on managing low milk supply. I dealt with low milk supply, a painful latch, and the need to combo feed during my own breastfeeding experience, so these are things I strive to help other mothers with. Collaborating with other professionals is a huge part of my practice! I work closely with chiropractors, OTs, PTs, and dentists in the area and always make sure that pediatricians are up-to-date on the plan of care for the families that I serve.

I enjoy all aspects of providing lactation care to the families that I support, but I am especially passionate about prenatal lactation education. So much time is spent feeding a newborn in those early months, it’s a full time job that requires some orientation to be successful! I think it is incredibly important that mothers have some knowledge of breastfeeding, normal newborn feeding behaviors, and the basics of troubleshooting when things are not going as planned. I love to connect with mothers prenatally and build a relationship before their baby is born, this way if issues arise after birth they know exactly who to call and they feel more comfortable doing so. I am also a big proponent of milestone lactation care because it provides anticipatory guidance and catches problems before they arise!

The practice I have created over the last 14 months has been built around a passion to help new mothers navigate the world of breastfeeding all while feeling validated and supported. I always take a holistic approach in my practice. When caring for a diad I am looking at the entire picture and getting to the root cause of the feeding difficulties. My goal with each and every consultation is to educate families so that they are empowered to reach their feeding goals and to make the feeding and parenting decisions that feel right for them. I instill the confidence that they need to advocate for themselves and their babies.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

100%, yes! Earning my BSN and working as a nurse for 10 years has been a wonderful experience that has opened many doors to new learning opportunities. I am incredibly grateful for the variety of nursing roles I have had, they have led me to where I am today.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe that my reputation within my market has been built by collaboration and a clear passion for the work that I do. I have spent a lot of time over the last year connecting with other providers in my area, letting them know who I am and what I do. I have collaborated with many of them to bring more awareness to the importance and accessibility of breastfeeding support. The families that I have worked with have all witnessed my passion for being a breastfeeding advocate and supporting new mothers in the 4th trimester. Word of mouth from my past clients has brought me many referrals and played a huge role in continuing to build up my practice!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://happylatchlactation.com
• Instagram: @happylatchlactation
• Facebook: Happy Latch Lactation Co.

Image Credits

Kelly Worthen Photography