She’s Working to Make Breastfeeding Easier for BHAM Moms
Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally. Meet Jordan Clarke, certified lactation consultant and founder of Birmingham Breastfeeding, who turned her own challenges into a mission to support other mothers. Image: Madison Walters Photography
As a pediatric nurse, Jordan Clarke saw firsthand the lack of lactation support available to mothers once they left the hospital with their newborns. Inspired by the breastfeeding challenges she experienced with her firstborn, Jordan decided to take matters into her own hands. Today, she is a certified lactation consultant and the founder of Birmingham Breastfeeding. Along with her team, Jordan provides personalized support to help Birmingham mothers and babies find feeding solutions that help them thrive.
How did Birmingham Breastfeeding come to be?
I founded it shortly after delivering my first son when we encountered our own set of breastfeeding issues. Before delivery, I naively considered myself somewhat of an expert in infant feeding because of my experience working with so many new families. However, I quickly realized how wrong I was, and it became evident how much I didn’t know.
Thanks to the support and encouragement of a few friends and the physicians I worked with, we were able to push through those breastfeeding struggles. This is when I realized I had to start supporting mothers and babies in a way I hadn’t in the past. Birmingham Breastfeeding exists to support breastfeeding mothers from pregnancy through postpartum.
While on maternity leave, I dove headfirst into becoming an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and created Birmingham Breastfeeding. We started by offering in-home lactation visits to mothers across the city. Now we have a team of nine with an office on Morris Avenue, and we offer insurance-covered breast pumps. We feel that our work to support families is just getting started.
What is one breastfeeding myth you want to debunk for good?
It’s a myth that breastfeeding does (or should) hurt. If breastfeeding hurts, that is an indicator that something is off. Your body doesn’t need to “toughen up.” Instead, a mother needs support to determine the source of the pain. Sometimes a simple adjustment early on can make all the difference.
What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is biologically normal and natural. Over time, culture has made breastfeeding a private thing, but this causes many mothers to feel genuinely scared to feed their baby outside of their home. It makes me incredibly sad when a mother feels like she has to excuse herself when her baby is hungry. Meanwhile, adults and children can comfortably eat in public. We hope moms feel confident feeding their babies when they’re hungry.
What are your top tips for first-time moms wanting to breastfeed?
First, breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally! You and your new baby have never breastfed before, so it’s absolutely okay if it takes some time for you to figure it out together.
Second, knowledge is power. The single best thing you can do to set yourself up for success is to prepare with our breastfeeding class. Also, get your insurance-covered breast pump before your baby is born.
Once you’re breastfeeding, don’t be tempted to “wait for your breasts to fill up.” It seems like that would make sense, but it can actually hurt your milk supply, and we cover all of that in our class.
If you’re having difficulties breastfeeding, don’t just wait for things to get better. Early support can be a game-changer, and that’s why we exist.
How does a mom know if she needs to work with a lactation consultant?
The top reasons moms reach out to us are: pain with feeding, poor weight gain, trouble latching, concerns about milk supply, preparing to return to work, bottle refusal, breast refusal, or a baby who seems abnormally fussy. Generally speaking, we can help with any breastfeeding issue or concern.
If you weren’t a lactation consultant, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would probably start a flower farm. Few things bring me more joy than watching a flower bloom in my yard and then clipping it to bring inside for a flower arrangement.
What does your perfect day in Birmingham look like?
I’d start my day at Nexus Fitness with my husband, then migrate to Ladybird Taco for breakfast tacos and their Carmadillo Latte. I’d spend the rest of the morning browsing some of my favorite antique stores, like Tricia’s Treasures and Stash. In the afternoon, I’d take the kids to the Lakeshore trail to walk and ride bikes. I’d end the day with a date night at GianMarco’s Wine Bar with an espresso martini nightcap.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
The moms we work with! Every mother we see is putting her heart and soul into being the best mom she can be. It’s really easy to be inspired to do the work we do when we see mothers happy and their babies growing and healthy because of their hard work.
What is your best piece of advice?
Find your people. Surround yourself with people who share the same values as you. You may have to look for them, but when you find them, they will be there for you, encourage you, and you will be able to do the same for them.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Last delicious local meal: Armour House. Their steak tartare is chef’s kiss.
Favorite place to vacation: We love a trip to the lake. However, my husband and I took a kid-free trip snow skiing this year, and it was glorious.
Your go-to gift to give: Chamomile Lavender Candle by Lafco
Three things you can’t live without: Regular date nights, my laptop (unfortunately), and chocolate — specifically brownies.
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Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.