Why I Started Mother Nurture Nutrition

Hello!

I'm Sarah Coleman and I am the person behind Mother Nurture Nutrition.

I decided to start Mother Nurture Nutrition after I had my son, Malachi. I'll be very open and honest with you...

despite my experience in pediatrics, I was completely unprepared to become a mother. Nothing can get you ready for the sleepless nights, the sometimes seemingly endless crying, or how difficult breastfeeding can be. I was so blessed that I had a wonderful support system in my husband, my family, providers I had worked with, and an amazing lactation consultant.

However, throughout my journey, I often thought to myself, "what do people who aren't pediatric dietitians do?"

There have been many times at prenatal appointments, during my admissions (yes, multiples), and at my son's primary care visits that I have felt frustrated and unsupported by the current medical landscape.

Here's my story...

I have high blood pressure at baseline. Bad genes, thanks Dad! We knew this going into my pregnancy. My doctors changed my medication to a pregnancy-friendly drug. However, I noticed that my blood pressure was uncontrolled on this medication. I kept asking, "when do we need to increase my dose?", and was always told that my doctors weren't concerned. Until they were. And at that point, they were so concerned that I was transported by ambulance to the hospital for a 3-day stay. I was given some very scary scenarios that involved me delivering at 32 weeks. I was given shots of dexamethasone to speed up lung development in preparation for an early delivery. I was started on IV medications to bring my blood pressure down immediately. Guess what they finally did next? They adjusted my medication. BINGO! That's all it took. My blood pressure returned to a normal level and I was discharged and able to deliver at 39 weeks.

After Malachi's birth, I struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. There were days where I felt like all I did was cry with Malachi. I was exhausted. I loved this little boy more than anything in the world, but I didn't know if I could be his mama. It all just felt like too much. I talked to my OB about this at the one follow-up we women get after birthing an entire human, but was met with a lackluster response. I was told that motherhood is hard, but it gets easier. I screened positive for PPD/PPA, but was just told to call them later if I felt like I needed medication. I had been seeing my doctor twice a week since my admission, but I felt like they were done with me now that I was no longer pregnant.

Next, we began our journey with the pediatrician's office. Malachi's weight started at the 49th% and stayed there for his first visit. He looked great! At his next visit, his weight was down to the 33rd%. Okay, no big deal, he's finding his curve. At his next visit, his weight had dropped to the 27th% and then the 9th% at the next visit. RED FLAG for this dietitian mama! His pediatrician came in, checked him out, and was ready to let us go. "What about his weight?", I asked. "Oh, let me look at his growth curve", she responded. WHAT?! You came into the room for a wellness check-up without even looking at his growth?! She admitted that the flattening of his curve was concerning and would like to see us back in a month. My husband asked what we would do if he dropped on the curve again at his next visit. She immediately responded "we start supplementing with formula". I am by no means opposed to formula. I think formula is wonderful for people who want to use formula or need to use formula. However, I think it shouldn't be the first thing we jump to as practitioners if a family is motivated to continue breastfeeding. I was shocked and frustrated that she didn't even ask me questions about how breastfeeding was going, any symptoms he might have been having, or any kind of assessment aside from the quick, usual check-up.

When I think back on my time working as a dietitian in the clinical setting, I knew this was a problem. I just didn't understand how big of a problem it was until my child was affected. I place no fault or blame on the providers themselves. Dietitians are the experts in nutrition and we should be the ones who can help families through nutritional issues. However, many hospitals and physician offices haven't quite bought into it the importance of nutrition education or don't have the resources available to hire or refer to an experienced dietitian. Also, because of the way insurance and billing has been built in the United States, providers don't have the time needed to fully listen to and support families.

That's why I started Mother Nurture Nutrition. I don't want any family to feel unsupported or abandoned during this beautiful, but challenging time. I want to support you and your baby through the first 1000 days of life. We know this is an incredibly critical time that sets up your baby for lifelong success. But I also know that YOU, mama, are just as important during this time. You cannot give your baby everything they need if you feel lost and hopeless.

I've got you, mama.

I will provide you with support and research-based education to guide you through these first 1000 days. I'll be with you step-by-step through pregnancy, the fourth trimester and newborn period, starting solids, and the beginning of toddlerhood. I'm here to give you the reassurance and guidance you need to nurture your baby and yourself.

We've got this together.