Lily Tharp

Ralf was born with tongue tie. That makes it hard to breastfeed – for mom and baby. 

“He was getting lots of food and growing well, but he was uncomfortable from sucking in air and getting reflux,” Lily says. “And I was in pain.” 

Lily had been here before. Her first child Arve, born in 2020 in Seattle, also had tongue tie. The lactation support back then was mostly virtual, during pandemic. 

This time, Lily had Nicole Martens, MAN, CNP, IBCLC by her side. The certified lactation consultant visited Lily in NH+C’s Birth Center the day after Ralf was born, and followed up with numerous one-on-one appointments to work on latching and positioning. “Nicole did a lot of modeling for exercises, and empowered me to take the reins,” Lily says. “She offered information in many ways, and helped build my confidence.”  

Correcting Ralf’s tongue tie would make breastfeeding easier and less painful. But Lily was anxious about it. “I assumed it was an invasive procedure,” she says. Lily struggled with the idea of resolving her own discomfort nursing with what seemed like an invasive medical procedure for Ralf.  

“Nicole was reassuring that this was a mechanical issue that needed to be fixed,” Lily says. “I was really emotional and needed someone steadfast. She was very straightforward and practical in her advice, which helped us make our own decisions.” 

Nicole and pediatrician Ben Flannery, MD gave Lily and her husband Andy Meyer lots of information and reassurance as they worked through the decision. Dr. Flannery performed the simple in-office procedure to release Ralf’s tongue. “It was like nothing. He didn’t even cry,” Lily says. “He nursed differently immediately. That was a big game changer for us.” 

Nicole continued to coach Lily as she and Ralf adjusted to this new, comfortable way of nursing. Nicole and Dr. Flannery had “great communication throughout the whole process,” Lily says. “It was a unique experience that we didn’t have to catch everyone up.” 

Nicole’s emotional support mattered a lot. “We really felt she was on our team,” Lily says. “She made it feel very personal to us, and to our journey. Nicole was very warm and nurturing, especially when we were so vulnerable in those first weeks.” 

Lily appreciates that Nicole was always available by phone, and at Baby Talk weekly meetings for new moms via Community Ed. “I’m grateful that Northfield Hospital provides this service,” she says. “I feel very fortunate to have landed in Northfield.” 

Lily’s advice for other new moms wrestling with breastfeeding – and maybe wrestling with a decision about their baby’s care: “Talk with your provider and the lactation consultant before your baby is born, to get into the mindset and learn what resources are available for you. It doesn’t have to be a struggle you do alone. 

“We think it’s the most natural thing to nurse your baby, and boy is it a surprise when it’s hard. Nicole said many times, ‘You two can figure it out together, and I’m here to support you.’” 

At every step.