Inspiring Conversations with Erin Harris of Nursing Mamas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Harris.

Hi Erin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2016, I became a mom, and like for so many others, my life changed in nearly every possible way. At the time, I was a college communication studies instructor teaching at Orange Coast College and Chapman University, and never imagined leaving this role that I loved. But 4 years later, 2 kids, a pandemic, and 4 1/2 years of breastfeeding made me reassess what was best for our family.

But let’s start at the beginning. When Avery was born, I successfully managed to deliver her with an unmedicated birth. I had assumed that would be the hard part, but quickly realized that breastfeeding was not coming as quickly as I was told it would. In spite of taking two lactation courses, the real thing is tricky! I was in pain and scared she wasn’t getting enough milk. I am so thankful I had access to a postpartum doula, who could help me and ease my concerns. Not everyone has this luxury, and it is why so many women end up supplementing and not meeting their nursing goals.

As time went on, things got easier, but breastfeeding still dictated my life. When I slept, how long I could be away, what I could eat and drink, my teaching schedule, etc. The first year of breastfeeding was a marathon and harder than anything I had done before. I was proud of what we had achieved, and honestly, wasn’t ready for it to end.

But after her 1st birthday, I weaned from my pump and assumed she would self-wean shortly after…. but that is not what happened. In fact, she continued to breastfeed through her 2nd birthday, and into my first trimester of my second pregnancy. And when my milk dried up (which is common during pregnancy), I told her the baby would bring the milk back.

And so, in June, 2019, I became a tandem nursing mom. I felt so much more prepared the second time around, and while tandem nursing a toddler and infant is a lot of work, it allowed me to keep my connection with my toddler as her sister took over our lives. Milk also continues to provide nutritional and health benefits for toddlers beyond age two.

Over a year later, on September 15, 2020, we had our last nursing session. I didn’t know anyone who had breastfed as long as me, and felt totally alone with the big feelings I was having about it. I had all this knowledge and experience and decided I wanted to use it to help others not feel the way I had. So, during the pandemic, with a 4 and 1 year old at home, I took online courses to becomes a Certified Lactation Educator.

And one year to the day of my weaning anniversary, Nursing Mamas was born.

I didn’t actually start out with a focus on toddler nursing; however, as I spoke to more and more moms with extended breastfeeding kids, I felt a deep connection to their struggles, and knew that was ultimately who I am supposed to help, and continue to do so today!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest life obstacle was the Covid lockdown, which changed my entire career trajectory. When lockdown happened in March 2020, my husband and I were trying to both work from 1 bedroom with our then 3 year old and 9 month old at home. I was nursing the older 3 times a day, pumping 4 times a day for the younger, and still up in the middle of the night for feeds.

We did this for 8 weeks, until my semester was over. I decided not to take a summer class, but once it became clear that our childcare would not be open until at least Jan 2021, I made one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made to leave my job.

The thing is, no matter how equal you try to make parenting, if one parent is breastfeeding, there is going to be more workload on that person. The one thing I could not delegate was pumping and nursing, and weaning is a stressful process, so did not seem to make sense to do at that time. I am still so grateful we had that ability to drop down to one salary (again, a luxury many don’t have), and be able to create a small business where I can continue educating adults, but with a subject that matters so much to me and with the flexibility to still be the primary caregiver during the week.

Another more professional obstacle was learning what I did and didn’t want for my business. I hired a business coach who at first really helped me navigate setting up an online business, create my courses by finding clients first, and getting onto Instagram professionally. However, she really pushed me to create high ticket programs, which required many live, free webinars to promote. Not only did it not fit into the work/life balance I was trying to find, but it also didn’t feel like a program that busy moms would want to buy.

The most valuable lesson I learned from that experience was to only work with professionals whose own personal lives reflected mine or what I wanted mine to be. Doing so has allowed me to make programs that better meet the needs of clients’ busy lives, and my needs as a mom with very little outside help as well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Nursing Mamas helps toddler nursing moms make extended breastfeeding and weaning more manageable. For every child who self-weans, there is one whose mom wonders if she’ll be nursing them at their wedding. The transition from infant nursing to toddler breastfeeding requires shifts in the parent-child dynamic, the use of breastfeeding boundaries, and tips for gentle weaning. I provide all of this through 3 online courses, a podcast, Instagram content, and a brand new community app.

Toddler nursing moms can feel judged and alone. I’ve create a space for them to thrive and celebrate their amazing achievements together.

What’s next?
I am so proud of the programs I currently have! My future plans primarily include expanding my reach so that more moms find my resources. I am working to find additional creative ways to market myself beyond social media.

I am also excited to continue to find amazing toddler nursing moms to interview on my podcast, Weaning It – A Podcast for Toddler Nursing Moms. I am loving the longer form content and having the podcast as another way to teach and entertain.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nursingmamas.com
• Instagram: @erin.nursingmamas
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weaning-it-a-podcast-for-toddler-nursing-moms/id1730809567