Ridley-Tree Cancer Center’s Dr. Katrina Mitchell, a breast surgeon and certified lactation consultant, is ardent about providing women support while they are breastfeeding. She offers a free prenatal breastfeeding class and private consultations to all women in the community.

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Many new moms struggle with the practice of breastfeeding. Challenges include nipple pain, infection, maintaining or increasing milk supply, and the physical and logistical difficulties related to pumping when returning to work. One-on-one counseling and care can greatly benefit women during this vulnerable time.

Dr. Mitchell is an advocate for ensuring local moms are supported. One in five new mothers experience depression and/or anxiety in the first year of a baby’s life, and breastfeeding challenges often play a part in this.

“We know that in many cases women do not breastfeed as long as they intend to, due to complications. If we can come alongside mothers and help them, this greatly increases their chances of breastfeeding for longer periods,” Dr. Mitchell said.

Fellowship-trained in breast surgical oncology, Dr. Mitchell is also certified in perinatal mental health. She can provide evaluation and treatment for prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety. The Ridley-Tree team that assists Dr. Mitchell includes schedulers, nurses, and medical assistants who help to triage mothers with breastfeeding concerns, especially those with urgent needs.

“New moms are especially vulnerable in the time between birth and six months postpartum, as they learn to breastfeed, care for their infant and heal their own body after birth,” Dr. Mitchell said.

When new mother and Laguna Blanca School teacher Jennifer Sawyers Pardue ran into severe breast milk oversupply problems causing pain, clogs and infections, she asked Dr. Mitchell for assistance.

“I thought I would give up on breastfeeding at one point since it was so overwhelming,” said Pardue, 32.

Away from family during the pandemic, she said she struggled to stay positive mentally. Zoom therapy was not ideal, so she relied on Dr. Mitchell’s regular check-ins. “She was amazing,” Pardue said. “I felt she could relate to me, and she verified that there is much misinformation out there about oversupply.”

It took about a month to get Pardue’s issues under control, but she and her 8-month-old son Asher are now thriving.