HOLLAND, Mich., August 12, 2025 — Breastfeeding can be a challenging journey for new parents. While it’s often seen as a natural process, many mothers face unexpected hurdles, from latching difficulties to concerns about milk supply. For one local mother, Ann McAlpine, navigating these challenges with her two boys was an emotional and physical struggle. However, with the support of Holland Hospital’s Breastfeeding Connections group, she was able to achieve her breastfeeding goals and find confidence in her role as a new parent.
McAlpine shared that while she had hoped to breastfeed, she didn’t realize how challenging it would be, especially with her first son. “I felt like a failure,” she recalled, “That I couldn’t produce or do what it was supposed to do.” The emotional toll of this struggle was immense, leading her to feel worried about her baby's growth.
Her experience highlights a common misconception that breastfeeding should come easily. The reality is that many factors can impact a mother's milk supply and a baby's ability to latch, and without proper guidance, these issues can lead to frustration and a sense of inadequacy. Fortunately, many of these challenges can be addressed with proper guidance. Hospital’s Boven Birth Center prioritizes hands-on education to empower mothers for long-term breastfeeding success. Their lactation support starts in the hospital with personalized coaching and continues after discharge.
With her second son, she knew she needed to take a different approach. She immediately sought help from Holland Hospital’s Breastfeeding Connections group, attending her first session just a few days after leaving the hospital. “I was fully on board to come to the breastfeeding support group,” she said. “I felt like I understood the look on the other moms’ faces. We’re all exhausted and don’t know what we’re doing.” The group provided a safe space where she could connect with other parents and feel understood.
Holland Hospital's Breastfeeding Connections is a free support group tailored for new mothers and their babies. It offers a welcoming and supportive space for parents to connect with others, ask questions, and receive guidance from experienced, board-certified lactation consultants. The group also allows parents to weigh their babies before and after feedings to monitor milk intake, a feature that McAlpine found particularly helpful. “I liked being able to weigh him before and after the feeding,” she noted.
Beyond the immediate support, the group offers long-term benefits that contribute to a mother's overall well-being. By fostering a sense of community, the group helps to reduce feelings of isolation and provides a space for mothers to share their experiences and successes.
Sarah Moelker, lactation consultant at Holland Hospital, shared that the group provides a time when mothers can receive guidance, confidence, and support to meet their breastfeeding goals. "We are there to assist with breastfeeding and to answer specific questions the mother has,” she explained. “Our classes offer a special way to encourage mothers along the lakeshore by providing a continuation of care beyond the hospital stay and offering support throughout their breastfeeding journey."
Breastfeeding Connections is also supported by a team of volunteers which includes retired Boven Birth Center nurses, as well as Holland Hospital’s Parent Advocates. These dedicated professionals provide emotional and mental health support, helping parents navigate the joys and challenges of welcoming a new baby.
For the McAlpine family, attending the group weekly has made a significant impact on their breastfeeding journey. “Every time I went, they taught me something new,” she shared. “Whether it was positioning or working on a better latch, they were super helpful and encouraging.” She now feels confident in her ability to provide for her baby and encourages other new mothers to seek help as early as possible. “Go and seek help the first week you can go,” she recommends. “You need to make yourself do it and show up for yourself and your baby.”
Breastfeeding Connections is held weekly from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Holland Hospital Conference Rooms. No registration is required, and drop-ins are welcome. You can learn more about Holland Hospital’s classes online at hollandhospital.org/classes.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jessica Meldrum, MS, APR
jmeldrum@hollandhospital.org
Aug. 12, 2025