My name is Jennifer Stires and I own a small business called the Nursing Nook in Missoula Montana. I grew up in Missoula and graduated with a degree in nursing from MSU in 2000. I have been a Registered Nurse for 9 years and worked in various aspects of nursing. I love helping people achieve health on multiple levels. I have worked as a Public Health Nurse for the past 4 years which is how I became interested in helping other moms like myself learn to breastfeed and breastfeed for as long as they desire.
I became a Certified Lactation Counselor just before our second daughter was born 3 years ago. It was great timing as I recalled having a challenging time breastfeeding our first daughter who was born 2 years prior. Through my own experience with breastfeeding and parenting I learned that there is an array of misinformation given to new parents. I learned that professionals, family members, and friends are all well-meaning, however, sometimes that well-meaning advice in not always the best advice. Much of it is inaccurate and quite frankly can be detrimental to a new parent whom is trying to do the absolute best for their new baby.
When our first daughter was born I didn’t know that I would become so passionate about breastfeeding. I only knew that I was being met with a lot of conflicting information and as a new, sleep-deprived mother I didn’t know where to turn for support and accurate guidance.
When our second daughter was born I was educated with the latest recommendations regarding breastfeeding and American feeding practices. I knew where to turn for support and accurate advice. These things helped me be more confident and assertive about my decision to breastfeed which is important when there are so many conflicting opinions regarding breastfeeding.
I returned to work full-time as a Public Health Nurse when our daughter was 3 months old and continued to pump breast milk until she was 12 months old. It was during those many pumping sessions that I decided I wanted to support other new parents in their venture to provide breast milk to their infants. I witnessed many new parents and friends of mine lack information and resources regarding breastfeeding. Over the course of 2 years I assessed what resources were available and what needed to be accessible to new parents. I furthered my breastfeeding education and became an Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant which gave me more credibility as a lactation consultant.
In January 2009, I officially opened the Nursing Nook, a “One Stop Breastfeeding Shop and Support Center”. The Nursing Nook offers retail products such as breast pumps, breast pump parts, nursing bras, baby bottles, herbs to increase lactation, specialty breastfeeding products for twins and much more. The benefit to purchasing products from the Nursing Nook is that the consumer also receives expert advice and recommendations at no additional cost. Parents are often confused about products and aren’t sure what they need. They ask for a professional opinion regarding their circumstance and they get it! I absolutely love giving new parents accurate knowledge and knowing that their baby will benefit from their parents’ decision to continue giving breast milk.
Despite having only part-time hours, the Nursing Nook has served between 5-20 new moms or dads per week. The word of mouth in Missoula has been amazing. In the past few months the Nursing Nook has seen enough growth that I hope to open it full-time in 2010. Jennifer also provides lactation consultations and classes by appointment. Her husband Scott teaches CPR/First Aid classes once a month at the Nursing Nook. The Nursing Nook provides a free support group for new breastfeeding mothers and it meets once a week. The support group ranges from 2-8 new moms at a given time and serves to answer all the questions that new moms have about mommyhood and babies.
Part of breastfeeding support is changing our culture and providing an environment where new moms know it is not only acceptable to nurse, but encouraged to nurse. By meeting other new moms doing the same thing, they will feel more confident with their decision and in the process meet new friends that they can relate with. Many of the groups have continued to meet for coffee or barbeques once they have graduated out of the “New Moms” group.
Goals and Vision for the Nursing Nook
My goal is to continue gaining awareness in our community as well as other communities across Montana. Montana in general lacks resources for such a specialty as breastfeeding. I want to extend my support to anyone through phone calls, email, and online orders. With continued growth I hope to increase the hours the Nursing Nook is open so that I can provide professional advice and products to more new parents. I would love to open Nursing Nook Sub-stations across Montana so that all new parents in Montana have access to accurate breastfeeding advice and supplies. It is my vision that all expectant parents will explore the benefits of breastfeeding and will know where support is available so that when they are feeling ambivalent or facing challenges they won’t hesitate to walk into a Nursing Nook with their questions.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and business venture. If chosen, I would be so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about increasing and sustaining my business. I am determined to continue providing breastfeeding support to new parents.
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I’ve worked with Jennifer and she has such a passion for her work. I’ve never met anyone more dedicated to helping families with nursing. It is awesome to see more and more mothers providing the best source of nutrition and best start for their babies, even if they work. It’s people like Jennifer that have made this possible.
I went to nursing school with Jen. We graduated together in May of 2000. We have become good friends since graduation. Jen has worked hard to get her business, The Nursing Nook, going while still working as a Public Health Nurse and while taking care of her family at home. I have been very impressed with her dedication and love for her job. Jen is always willing to take time out of her schedule to talk on the phone to a client or go to there home to assist with education on breast feeding, Jen is also one of the sweetest, most caring people I know. Jen has also been wonderful in supporting mothers to continue to breast feed even when social pressures make it hard at times. Jen is always there to give support and help women find ways to breast feed at work and out in public. Jen is an amazing nurse! I can not think of a better person to give recognition to then Jen Stires!
Sincerely, Tami Clemensen
Jen has been a great support for me during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Her nurturing quality,medical and breasfeeding knowledge and experience makes for the perfect blend of support and guidance for any new mom. Our community is blessed to have such a business as the the nursing nook that offiers one stop shopping including education, supplies, and CPR/First Aid knowledge. The Nursing Nook is deserving of recognition!
Satisfied customer and friend,
Lisa Tims
Jennifer was my public health nurse in Missoula and she was SO wonderful. I have since moved away and miss her a ton! I wish she knew how much she helped. We are expecting number two and hope to stop by the nursing nook if we’re able to make it out before baby arrives. Thank you for everything Jennifer!!!
Thank you for this blogpost concerning to Medical. This particular is precisely just what My partner and i am in search of!
I worked with Jennifer in San Diego several years ago. She is an extremely knowledgeable nurse, as well as an incredibly personable individual. She is very caring and warm hearted. You cannot go wrong with Jennifer as your consultant.