Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Nelson.
Hi Shelby, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a baby feeding educator, hopefully an internationally board certified lactation consultant soon (just took the exam last week!), and podcast host focused on supporting mothers through the realities of early postpartum life. My work is all about helping women feel more informed, less alone, and more confident as they navigate feeding their babies.
Like many moms, my path into this work started with my own experience. When I first entered motherhood, I was surprised by how challenging and nuanced feeding could be…especially compared to what I expected. I found myself searching for honest, practical guidance and realizing there was a gap between the information available and the lived experiences of mothers.
That realization became a turning point. I started sharing, learning, and connecting with other women, which eventually grew into creating educational content and launching my podcast. What began as a personal need evolved into something much bigger: a platform centered on real stories, accessible education, and judgment-free support.
Today, I continue to build on that mission by supporting mothers through both education and conversation. I’m especially passionate about normalizing the full spectrum of feeding experiences and helping women feel empowered to make the choices that are right for them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Similar to feeding a baby, the journey hasn’t been linear. Like a lot of work rooted in personal experience, there have been plenty of bumps along the way.
In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges was building something from scratch while also being in the thick of motherhood. Time, energy, and confidence were all limited resources, and putting my voice out there (especially on a topic that can feel sensitive and emotionally charged) was intimidating. There’s also a lot of noise in the baby feeding space, which made it hard at times to trust my perspective and not compare myself to others.
As things grew, new challenges showed up. Balancing content creation, education, and running a business has been a learning curve. There’s constant pressure to show up consistently while still protecting my own capacity. I have two young kids and I’d like to be as present as possible with them when they’re not at school. That’s tough while trying to maintain a social media presence!
I’ve also had to navigate how to talk about feeding in a way that’s honest and evidence-based, without adding to the guilt or judgment so many mothers already feel. Society has set women up to struggle in ways that often aren’t obvious until they’re in the trenches of postpartum. I’m still learning how to approach this work with care that’s both research-informed and deeply empathetic, but it’s something I’m committed to getting right.
That said, those challenges have really shaped the way I approach my work. They’ve pushed me to be more intentional, more compassionate, and more focused on creating support that actually meets moms where they are and not where we expect them to be.
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?
My work through Supportive Breast Friend centers around baby feeding education and postpartum support, with a focus on helping mothers navigate the reality, not just the expectation, of feeding their babies. I’m a breastfeeding educator and recently sat for my board certification to become an IBCLC, and I use my platform to translate evidence-based information into something practical, relatable, and supportive.
Through my podcast and online content, I’m known for creating space for honest, nuanced conversations about feeding- whether that’s breastfeeding, combination feeding, or formula. I share real experiences alongside education, so mothers feel informed without the judgement.
What sets my work apart is the balance between evidence and empathy. I’m not here to give one-size-fits-all answers, but to help women feel confident making the choices that are right for them. More than anything, I’m proud of the trust I’ve built. My audience knows they’ll be met with understanding, honesty, and support (like their mom friend who just happens to know a lot about feeding babies).
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’m really excited about what’s ahead. I’ll be continuing to release weekly podcast episodes through Supportive Breast Friend, with even more guest experts and diverse feeding stories to help parents feel informed and supported. As I move toward full IBCLC certification, I’m also looking forward to expanding my offerings to include one-on-one feeding support through paid consults. My goal is to continue building resources that meet families where they are, both through accessible content and more personalized care.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supportivebreastfriend/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@supportivebreastfriend
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Syc2T9LVH4lJ4cKZW4N2W
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supportive-breast-friend/id1844002027
Image Credits
Laura Pulliam Photography
