Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Chavez-Gifford.
Hi Diana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
With my first child, I experienced excruciating pain with every latch, even though I was able to push through 4 weeks of that and have a successful journey I later learned that breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. With my second child I found my village, La Leche League of Garland. Those meetings shaped the mother and person that I was to become. I became a La Leche League Leader in 2004, which takes 6 months to a year, around the time of my 3 child. I knew I wanted to volunteer and give back. I didn’t know at the time it would turn into my lifelong passion and driving force of my being. I was able to complete my IBCLC in 2010, and November 1, 2011 I was an official IBCLC after years of gathering the hours I needed (1000) I had 2500 at the time! Then taking a 5 hour long test and waiting 12 weeks for results. Now I am co-owner of a group practice Natural Beginnings and I have been helping parents for 22 years. We have helped thousands of parents over the years from birth to weaning.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some days have been smooth and function like a well oiled machine! Other times it is a struggle. Back when I was first learning the ropes I had 3 children at home, I homeschooled, and was a homemaker. I had to keep my family fed, the house clean and teach 3 different grades, all while seeing patients in the evenings or weekends when I had child care. Keeping all the balls in the air was a difficult, but rewarding task. My path was always a clear vision, but it was not easy. Thankfully in the early years of my career, I didn’t have any management roles in our company. So I could keep my schedule exactly the way I needed it to be! Nowadays we have many moving parts, and it’s my job to keep it all running smoothly. Learning how to run a small business, with all it’s requirements is a huge challenge and learning curve! There are 4 providers, an admin, and 2 students we are mentoring. I often find myself working 60 hour work weeks, going long stretches without days off. I don’t seem to suffer from burnout though because of all of the sweet baby faces that I get to look into each day. It keeps me going when I get pics of a baby and parent I helped at their year birthday saying “we made it!” That makes it all worth it! I am at a different time in my life now, where I don’t have small children at home, so I can afford to be a workaholic girl boss!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our group practice was started over 30 years ago by Linda Worzer, who has since passed. Sharon Mattes and I took over after her passing. We specialize in lactation help, including nipple pain, mastitis, clogged ducts low milk supply, latching, breast pumps and pumping, prenatal classes, and Bradley classes. We offer flange sizing and pump trouble shooting. Truly though we specialize in kindness, that’s what sets us apart. We meet parents in their greatest hour of need, when they need us, and in their own home. We are proud to say that we have many repeat patients, they come back for each baby. These last few years need for breastfeeding help has increased tremendously, which allowed us to take on an admin, and 2 new IBLCs to make sure we get people care right away when they contact us. We can attribute this increase partly because we strive to go above and beyond with our care…and we truly do care about each patient we see. The other reason for the surge is because insurances have finally gotten on board with paying for lactation care that was mandated in 2008. We are proud to say we take almost all major plans with few exclusions: BCBS, UHC, UMR, Aetna, Cigna and lots others, we offer care 7 days a week, when a patient needs it, in the comfort of their own home with their own couch and baby equipment. This helps them replicate what they have learned when we step out of the door. Working with many Doctors in DFW our care is comprehensive, we take weights before and after feedings (to help determine milk intake and weight gain) we give parents resources and handouts that are easy to read and use, our visits last about 60-90min for first appointments. We also follow up closely. I like to say I will do as little or as much handholding as someone needs!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Sharon Mattes, was my La Leche Leader, my mentor, and now co-owner of our business. She maintains our website, and pump rental business. She’s just all around an amazing person. She always has time for a call when we have a complicated case that needs a second opinion and brain. She’s also our Bradley instructor–which is our natural childbirth classes. Taking her class and following that method got me though my very difficult 3rd delivery completely drug free. The method works well! I don’t even have a word that fits our relationship. Friend, sister, mother, mentor all don’t seem to encompass what she is to me!
My husband has been my greatest advocate, and supporter. He has helped me through this whole journey. I fully realize what a privilege it is to have been able to stay home with my kids, earn my IBCLC. This is why mentoring means so much to me, giving back to those who may not have the same privilege that I had. I want them to have the same solid foundation I had, I try not to hold back or gate keep anything professionally or business wise.
Pricing:
- $210 home visit fee
- $100 virtual visit fee
- $0 many insurance plans
- $85 per month pump rental
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naturalbeginningsonline.com/
- Instagram: @naturalbeginningslactation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Naturalbeginningsonline
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/np7B3E2X2adYFkg5A
Image Credits
Martin Gifford
Javier Chavez-Granados
