Meet the IBCLC: Cheryl Zimmer
Introduction
We’re back with another installment of Meet the IBCLC with Cheryl Zimmer. You may know Cheryl if you’ve had a one-one consultation either pre-pandemic or currently. Cheryl has a unique experience as a NICU nurse prior to working at The Breastfeeding Center. We’re excited to share the story of her path towards becoming an IBCLC.
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I was a NICU nurse before I was an IBCLC. When I started working in the NICU, I was pretty struck and disappointed by how little breast/chestfeeding was happening and supported.
Breast/chestfeeding itself isn’t as well protected in the NICU setting as it is for the general population. Particularly exclusive bodyfeeding. Being admitted into a NICU setting comes with constraints of the NICU timeframe. Feeds are scheduled q3hrs, rooming in 24/7 isn’t always possible and those factors make it difficult for parents. Separation of parents and babies is the biggest challenge. A lot of the babies need immediate care, which obviously needs to happen but it also takes away from early parent-baby contact that is so crucial for bonding and breastfeeding. The environment often interferes with healthy breastfeeding relationships- babies can only eat at certain times, or that we must make sure a baby eats a specific quantity at every feeding. I think it really throws a parents confidence, in particular a new mom/parent who doesn't yet feel sure in their ability to nurse her baby.
In the NICU they say that for the sick and premature babies, human milk is medicine before it is nutrition. It’s vital, lifesaving stuff that protects the most fragile lives in totally miraculous yet scientifically validated ways. For many of these babies breast milk is what allows these babies to beat the odds. That fact alone, has always played a critical role in advocating human milk for all babies and perhaps what spurred my passion for going down this career path.
I worked with a family of a baby born prematurely. The mother had complications and had to be moved to the ICU. I had a brief conversation about the benefits of breastmilk for their baby and that we would like to provide swabs of colostrum for the first day. Despite some initial reluctance from staff and dad. I later found him in the room with her intubated and pumping. I was floored and completely moved. This mom was so sick but was doing everything in her power to help her child. It’s a sight and a family, I’ll always remember.
Long story short, I became kind of obsessed with breast/chestfeeding, particularly in the NICU, I started working towards the IBCLC, and very fortunately, ended up taking a position that no one else apparently wanted in our NICU. I worked as a staff nurse half the time and dedicated the other half of my time as a lactation nurse, providing support for NICU families. I have since moved into private practice to expand my experience/lactation skills and to provide breastfeeding support to a broader range of families.
Favorite/most fulling part of my job?
Seeing a baby and parent who’s been struggling and all of sudden it clicks. And the look of wonder on the parent’s face like “oh my gosh, it’s kind of happening”. Seeing a baby eating for the first time is just as thrilling as watching a baby being born.
The most challenging or difficult part of my job?
It’s the preconceptions people have that negatively impacts nursing. Its unrealistic expectations and misinformation the parent has received from family members, friends, pediatricians, google. The lack of good education about breast/chestfeeding.