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Breastfeeding is normal.
You’re a mammal. Your baby is a mammal. Most of the time, when you and your baby get some skin-on-skin time to figure things out, breastfeeding works the way it is supposed to — normally. Sometimes, however, you or your baby, or both of you, need a little help. Maybe your baby gives you an extra hour of sleep, you fell asleep with breasts the size of grapefruits and you woke up with breasts the size of cantaloupes. Maybe your baby is nursing so enthusiastically, you’re convinced your nipples are going to be excised from your chest. Maybe you’re doing everything the books say, and you’re baby isn’t gaining weight the way your pediatrician says she should be.
Whatever is upsetting you, it’s going to crop up at 4 a.m., and your partner’s going to be just as exhausted as you are. Morning, and help, can feel a long way away.
I don’t check email at 4 a.m. very often, but I do check it at 6 a.m. Email or text me in the middle of the night and I will get back to you by 8 a.m. at the latest. I’m almost always able to make an appointment with you within 24 hours. Often, I can be there within a few hours — and I always, always, always come to your house, so you don’t need to get dressed or put on makeup. (I promise I won’t put on makeup if you won’t.) I work on weekends and Christian holidays too, so don’t worry about calling me on Christmas or Easter. I serve all of King County.
And, I charge on a sliding scale, so if you honestly can’t afford my fee, I’m happy to work out a fee structure or payment plan that works for you.
Call, text or email me: betsy@betsysbabyservices.com; 206 353 9334. I can’t wait to meet you, your baby, and your partner!
Spring class series is now full! I’m now enrolling couples for my Summer series.
Evidence-based, 2.5 hour classes in my home in West Seattle will prepare you for all aspects of birth. The focus of Northwest Natural Childbirth is informed consent — being prepared for making decisions about your birth in partnership with your birth team. You’ll learn what goes on during a home birth, a birth-center birth, or a hospital birth; what partners can really, truly expect to experience during labor; how to cope with the normal sensations of labor; and how to enter labor as healthy as possible. We will also emphasize the normal course of breastfeeding.
Class is also highly irreverent, fun, goofy, and sometimes, very intense. You will graduate class ready to give birth at home, at your birth place, or in a Denny’s parking lot. And, you’ll have a new set of friends ready to learn parenting alongside you.
Contact me at betsy@betsysbabyservices.com; or call me at 206 353 9334 with questions and to register for class. 
I am thrilled to bits to announce that my workbook, Northwest Natural Childbirth, has been published on lulu.com! Buy early, buy often, send one to your pregnant cousin in Duluth and your grandma in Saskatchewan, it’s the most fun childbirth workbook out there! 
Babies, birth and breastfeeding are my passion. I believe that every baby deserves a healthy start to life and every family deserves to be supported in the sometimes overwhelming adventure of new parenthood. Since 2002, I have taught childbirth classes and served as a La Leche League Leader helping families breastfeed. Most recently, I launched a career as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. If you are pregnant, please check out my Northwest Natural Childbirth class series and my Breastfeeding 101 afternoon class. If you are a new parent seeking breastfeeding support, please come to a La Leche League meeting or call 206 522 1336 for the name of a Leader on duty. But if your challenges demand one-on-one attention, I would be delighted to come to your home and help you achieve breastfeeding success. Please visit my Lactation Consulting pages for more information, call 206 353 9334, or email betsy@betsysbabyservices.com to schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting you and helping your new family!
I am pleased to offer a two-hour, hands-on, somewhat goofy but totally evidence-based and factual class for expecting couples. I really appreciate the presence of mom’s partner in the class, as the encouragement of a loving partner is one of your best predictors of breastfeeding success. I have taught breastfeeding classes at WIC offices, and have also taught classes on breastfeeding and nutrition and basic breastfeeding management at Bastyr University and at South Seattle Community College. It’s one of my FAVORITE topics to teach! The elements include: getting off to a good start after birth, managing the first week postpartum, coping with engorgement, what to do if your nipples are sore, and working and breastfeeding, and troubleshooting. Please contact me right away to let me know if you would be interested in such a class. If you work at a large company, I can also come teach a lunchtime session at your workplace, for example at Amazon.com, Starbucks, Microsoft, Realnetworks, etc. If this sounds interesting, talk to your HR and let me know!
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