Rachael Anastasio Collins, BSN, RN, IBCLC
I have been a Registered Nurse (RN) since 2010 and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2014. In 2018, I took a chance and launched Milked Lactation Services, LLC after working for years as an in-patient IBCLC in the Greater Charlotte Area and prior to that a mother/baby RN and Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) in Chicago, IL.
My passion for this field of work was borne out over the years as I pursued other careers in women’s health. Breastfeeding was normalized by my own mother growing up. I joke about my first client being a foal who had a complicated delivery and wasn’t able to nurse. For a week I shared the responsibility of expressing milk from the mare (hand expression for the win) and bottle-feeding the foal. He nursed by the end of the week. Nailed it!
During an OB rotation in nursing school I became aware at how abysmal lactation support for parents was when I found myself standing across from a crying mother whose baby wouldn’t latch on and I was completely unable to help. I had no idea what to do. This was my last year of nursing school, my second degree, and here I was completely helpless. Worse than that was the fact that there was no one available with the necessary knowledge and skills nor was there anyone who cared enough or had the time to try and help. I was told to bring her a bottle. That’s nonsense.
It was frustration that such a fundamental part of our bodies, physiology, and childrearing is so poorly taught about or supported that motivated me to learn all I could about breastfeeding and lactation. The more that I learned and the more families I helped the more passionate I became.
The knowledge that I bring to consults has been enhanced by my own breastfeeding experiences. I have three kids, all breastfed and none without their own challenge and lessons. My last baby remains one of the most difficult cases I have encountered and the lessons we learned together have made me a better, more empathetic, and more passionate IBCLC. I continue to be in awe of the fact that I get to do this job. I am humbled and inspired by each family that I have the honor of working with.
I live in Stallings, NC with my three kiddos, husband, two cats, and two rats. Life is definitely not dull.
