Lactation Consultation: Empowering Moms in Gillette with Support

Today, March 5th, we celebrate International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Day, a special day dedicated to recognizing the incredible impact lactation consultants have on the lives of mothers and babies. Learn more about the IBCLC Certification here - About IBLCE – IBLCE.

At Campbell County Health (CCH) in Gillette, Wyoming, we are proud to have two expert IBCLCs on staff who provide essential support to mothers in our community: Cass Hurley and Dianna Moore. We also are proud to have in our community, Hannah Beltz, an IBCLC with The Fourth Trimester Lactation Services, and Wendy Echols, an IBCLC with Speech Specialists of Northeast Wyoming, providing this invaluable support to mothers. Through their knowledge, dedication, and passion, these women help ensure that mothers have the resources and encouragement they need to succeed in whatever their feeding goals may be. 

IBCLCs bring a wealth of knowledge and support to new and experienced mothers alike. According to Dianna, an IBCLC at CCH, “Having that knowledgeable person to help a mother and their baby, it could be their first baby, it could be their fourth, fifth, sixth baby where they finally need assistance. Because all babies are different. I think having that certification is not about the qualification, it is about the extensive knowledge that comes with it.” 

Cass, another IBCLC at CCH, agrees: “The education that comes with the IBCLC is so beneficial to patients, especially when they are struggling. The IBCLC can bring their education to that mother’s journey, whatever that is.” 

While IBCLCs are most often associated with breastfeeding support, they are there for all mothers, regardless of how they choose to feed their babies. Whether a mom is exclusively breastfeeding, combining formula and breast milk, or deciding to bottle-feed, IBCLCs support moms' choices and help them achieve their personal feeding goals. 

Cass emphasizes this important aspect of their role, "Our role as IBCLCs is to help mothers reach their goals, no matter what those may be.” 

For Dianna, her passion for becoming an IBCLC came from recognizing the struggles new mothers faced during her time as a nursery nurse at CCH, “We found that our moms were struggling, and we did not understand the whole of what was going on. Everything I was using was based on my personal experience with breastfeeding. I started my IBCLC education, and I am up to the Advanced IBCLC and there is still so much more to learn.” 

Cass was also inspired by a lack of education within the system, “Seeing a lack of education in the care we were providing for our nursing staff, having moms come back struggling and not having the right resources to help them. So really it was the need I saw, and I wanted to help in that area.” 

Hannah, who had a positive experience with breastfeeding herself, shares why she became an IBCLC, “I loved breastfeeding. It’s one of the neatest things I have ever done. I had a public health nurse visit me in my home after both of my boys were born and she said, ‘You love this so much, go share that, go spread it.’ Breastfeeding wasn't a struggle for me, and it made me sad to think there are people who struggled, cried, hurt, and worried about these things. I wanted to provide support. I like what Cass said about helping people find support and to become successful breastfeeding IF that's what they want to do. My goal as an IBCLC is always to help moms meet their goals. And to feel comfortable and content while they're doing that.” 

Dianna shares that IBCLCs assist with a wide range of issues beyond latching and milk supply, “We help with things like teething and how to manage some of those tricky moments. We also support moms who are nearing their return to work. We guide them through the emotional and logistical challenges of pumping and preparing for the transition, especially when there’s a dip in milk supply. And it’s not just about breastfeeding; we help with bottle feeding and getting babies used to a bottle before mom heads back to work. We can also assist with measuring for breast pump flange size because the way many companies tell you to measure does not always work well. Our bodies change, and we help make sure everything is fitting correctly.” 

Hannah adds, “We also work with moms who are at that tricky 11-week mark, when they’re about to go back to work and are wondering, ‘What on earth do I do?’ Sometimes, moms just need someone to sit with them and bawl. It’s a substantial change, and we’re there to support them through that emotional rollercoaster as well.” 

Cass highlights another important aspect of the IBCLC’s role: emotional support. "One of the biggest things with breastfeeding is the emotional support that we provide to moms. They need reassurance. So much of it is just telling the mom, ‘You’re doing the right thing. It’s hard, it’s natural, it may not feel natural because it’s a struggle right now, but it’s okay.’ So many moms experience guilt right after their baby is born, and when their baby cries, their first thought is, ‘Am I not providing enough milk?’ It’s such an emotional and mental game, and a big part of our role is making sure moms hear, ‘You are doing the right thing. You are providing for your baby. This is normal, and you can do this.’ That reassurance is so important.” 

Hannah touches on the challenges new moms face with expectations: “One of the first questions you get after having a baby is, ‘How’s your baby sleeping?’ Newborns don’t sleep through the night. But these questions lead to moms questioning themselves. They may feel like they’re not doing things right because they don’t realize that newborns naturally wake up frequently. We teach moms what to expect, especially when it comes to milk supply and sleep patterns. Having a clear understanding of what is normal can take a huge weight off a mom’s shoulders.” 

Despite the many benefits of breastfeeding, misconceptions persist. Hannah notes that many people believe breastfeeding hurts, “The first thing I ask people is ‘What do you know about breastfeeding?’ and they respond with ‘That it hurts.’ That is a huge misconception and people think that it hurts and that it’s normal for it to hurt. That is wrong. Pain is your body saying that something is not right.” 

Dianna also addresses common misconceptions, “I hear from people, ‘My mother couldn’t do it, so I couldn’t do it.’ That’s not true.” 

IBCLCs play a crucial role in helping moms overcome these challenges and misconceptions, providing a supportive environment where questions are answered, and confidence is built. 

In Gillette, where many families may not have immediate family support, IBCLCs play a crucial role. Dianna says, “We have a lot of moms here. A lot of single moms. We also have a lot of families that don’t have that family support. Or they come from a family where no one breastfed. So, they don’t know what to do. We are the ones who will step in and ask, ‘What would you like to do? Let me help you get there.’” 

Cass highlights the importance of providing a solid foundation from the start, “I think for us in the hospital, we play a crucial role in setting them up for success. There are many things we can do on the inpatient side from the moment they’re born to help them be successful.” 

One of the most important resources CCH offers is the Mommy Café, a bi-monthly support group that provides mothers with the opportunity to connect with other breastfeeding moms and IBCLCs. The Mommy Café meetings are held twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1 PM in the Maternal Child waiting area on the second floor of CCH. 

Dianna explains why the Mommy Café is so impactful, “Its breastfeeding moms coming together and asking each other, ‘I’m experiencing this, are you experiencing this?’ It’s that support that moms need. And with the lactation consultant there, we’re able to answer questions, encourage them, and reassure them. That’s the whole purpose of that group.” 

If you are a breastfeeding mom or considering breastfeeding, we invite you to join the Mommy Café here at Campbell County Health. Whether you’re just beginning or need support later, this group offers valuable insights, education, and the confidence to continue your breastfeeding journey. And remember, if you ever feel like you’re struggling, you don’t have to go it alone—we’re here to help. 

Breastfeeding is an incredible journey. We hope that by sharing these stories, you’ll feel empowered and confident in your choices as a mother. Happy IBCLC Day! 

Photo: From left to right, Hannah Beltz with The Fourth Trimester, Dianna Moore, CCH Lactation Coordinator, and Cass Hurley, Manager CCH Maternal Child

Contact an IBCLC today: 

Dianna Moore, CCH Lactation Coordinator – 307-688-2230 

Hannah Beltz, owner of The Fourth Trimester - 307-689-8074 

Wendy Echols, owner of Speech Specialists of Northeast Wyoming - 307-257-7395