Meet Jaclyn Waggoner | Certified Lactation Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaclyn Waggoner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaclyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been in the lactation world for almost a decade. Mostly just volunteering and running free support groups. In all these years one thing that really struck out to me was the importance of women being educated and feeling empowered about breastfeeding BEFORE their baby was born. A lot of times people (me included) will do a ton of research on all things baby and even birth, but kind of skip over breastfeeding, thinking they will just figure it out when the time comes. When every new parent knows that breastfeeding is something you will be doing a lot of for that first year and really should be something you are super prepared for! My thought process was if I could start a business offering classes to those who are expecting a baby, then I could hopefully set them up for success for after they have their baby. Giving them tools and information to know what is normal and what isn’t and where to go if you need help.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got into lactation because of my own struggles with feeding my oldest. I know if I wouldn’t have struggled I would definitely not be in this profession today! I was the first in a few generations to breastfeed and support was slim in the town I was in. I was so thankful for a few close friends who were experienced moms who came to support me. That led me to really value the importance of mother to mother support and my passion for building community. My experiences in motherhood definitely shaped this career path and made me want to share with others everything I wish I would have known about breastfeeding before I became a mom and show support and love to those who maybe in the trenches of motherhood and not have the support that they need. I know it feels lonely, but you are not alone and there is a whole community of other mothers out there ready to lift you up!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh we would definitely do some hiking! Catalina State Park is one of my favorite places! We would go do a sunset hike and take all the saguaro cactus pictures! We would also run to the the Sonoran Desert Museum for a day and maybe even up Mt. Lemmon for another hike! I would also take them to Guadalajara Grill for some fresh salsa and probably First Watch after a day hike! Yum! Overall just spend time outside and enjoying our beautiful Arizona weather! (Unless of course they came in the summer time and then we’d be swimming!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I cannot think of one person specifically, but an entire community of people who have supported me and encouraged me since I jumped into the lactation world 10 years ago. From fellow lactation workers, midwives, close friends, my family, my husband; I’ve been surrounded by so much love and support along my journey.

Website: Www.moonlightmilkies.com

Instagram: @moonlightmilkies

Facebook: Facebook.com/moonlightmilkies

Image Credits
All photos except for the last one are from Chloe Owen Photography