Hidden Gems: Meet Shea Collier of Joyful Lactation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea Collier.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started with my own personal challenges with breastfeeding. At the time, in 2016, I was working as a pediatric ICU nurse and had heard of a lactation consultant but didn’t know much about the role they played. I also thought that since I worked with sick kiddos that breastfeeding would come naturally and it would be fine. When I had our first baby, I got lactation support in the hospital but I continued to have pain while feeding our new baby. So much so, that I actually left the hospital with cracked and bleeding nipples. I knew this wasn’t right but I didn’t know what to do or who to call.

We had a doula for our labor and delivery so I called her to ask what we should we do. She talked about this IBCLC (lactation consultant) named Anne that would come to our home to help us with breastfeeding. Sold!! I called Anne immediately and talked to the sweetest lady you could ever talk to. She gave me some tips over the phone until she could come to our house a couple of days later.

When Anne came, she had the most gentle, calming and reassuring presence. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with her and ultimately, I credit her with saving our breastfeeding journey. Our first baby ended up needed a tongue tie and lip tie release and Anne helped us through all of it.

Once things settled and we were through the procedure and healing stage, I knew that one day, I would want to become an IBCLC and help moms just like Anne helped me. I never wanted another mom to leave the hospital with cracked and bleeding nipples like I did.

In 2019, when we were expecting our second baby, I called Anne while I was still pregnant to get some help before the baby was born. And as soon as we were home with the baby, I had Anne come out and help us. That second breastfeeding journey was very different, again with the help with Anne.

With both babies, I was able to breastfeed until they were 2 years old.

Fast forward to covid times and all of the lactation education had went online and it became easier for me to get the hours needed, especially since I had 2 small children at home. Of course I talked to Anne through all of this! At this point, she had retired but she was still a mentor from afar. It took me 2 years to complete the education and clinical hours needed for IBCLC and I wouldn’t change it for anything! I am so thankful that I get to be an IBCLC and provide breastfeeding support for new moms, just like Anne did for me. Sometimes during a consult, especially challenging ones, I like to say that I am “channeling my inner Anne” so I can provide the support that the mom needs in that moment.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Ha, no way!! In fact, I never intended to have my own lactation private practice. I wanted to be able to provide support for new moms and go home to my babies. I never wanted to do “all of the business stuff too.” But, as God would have it, here I am, not only owning my own lactation private practice but growing it too…also not in MY plans!!

Being a business owner, no matter the industry, comes with lots of challenges on the backend and behind the scenes. For me, my biggest challenge is balancing motherhood and business. I truly understand how much these moms need support so when they come to me wanting support, I do what I can to be there for them. But also, my own children will only be this small once so I do my best to find a good “balance”… if there is such a thing!

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?
In 2024, I created a prenatal breastfeeding class because I wish that’s what I would’ve had when I was pregnant with my kiddos. At the time, I was working for another lactation group. But then people started booking my class AND wanting me to be their IBCLC after their baby was born so I started seeing moms through my own private practice once they had their baby. And that is how Joyful Lactation was created. It was truly by “accident” or God’s plan. Now, in 2026, Joyful Lactation is growing. I have brought on 2 other IBCLC’s that are just as passionate about helping new moms on their breastfeeding journey…and you guessed it, that also was not my plan!!

I believe that taking a prenatal breastfeeding class can give a new mom the tools they need to get breastfeeding off to a great start within those first few days. And that’s generally the feedback I get from my class. I certainly have clients that really need help postpartum, I have clients that just need someone to say “things are going well” and then I have clients that say things are going well, thanks for the class and I don’t need to see them when they are postpartum.

I have always believed in taking a holistic approach to feeding your baby. I know that word is used alot so what I mean by that is taking into consideration more things that just “what does the latch look like.” What is happening when the baby is going to the breast, what is happening while the baby is feeding, what happens after the feed, what is the baby’s tongue and mouth doing, how is the baby’s weight gain, what about diaper output, the list keeps going, etc. I think some parents are caught off guard by all of the things that I take into consideration during an appointment. I also take into consideration how the mom is doing with the immediate postpartum period and what is their support system like! I always say “it takes a village and it sucks that sometimes we have to pay for that village these days!”

Teaching prenatal breastfeeding classes are really one of my favorite things to do in the breastfeeding world! But in the postpartum period, I frequently see babies with varying degrees of oral dysfunction that can be due to tongue ties and lip ties. Having been through a release with all 3 of my babies and a revision (a second release) with 2 of my kiddos, I have walked that road 5 times now, personally. Professionally, I have taken additional classes on tongue ties as well additional bodywork classes to help parents of babies with body tension and feeding challenges.

Tongue ties are not the only cause for oral dysfunction but I do see them frequently. Body tension can also be a cause. And this is where bodywork (like chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and craniosacral therapy) can be a helpful modality to see if we can determine what is the cause of the oral dysfunction.

What sets us apart at Joyful Lactation is that “we don’t put babies in a box!” What that means is that we take into consideration what is going on with that mom and that baby together and work with the family to come up with a plan that works for them! That baby may benefit from “baby occupational therapy” and the next baby may benefit from chiropractic adjustments. We also will guide the family with oral exercises and baby massage and stretches. So, again, what is helpful for one baby is not the same for the next baby.

I am most proud of growing my brand naturally. Most of my clients are word of mouth referrals and I am so proud of that. That means that other providers trust ME with their clients and I don’t take that lightly at all! I am just so thankful for the people that God has placed in my life that support and trust me!

I want people to know that Joyful Lactation is here to support you on your breastfeeding journey. And if we are not the right fit for you, we will help you find someone who is. We truly want to help new moms navigate the early postpartum challenges that come up and then we want to celebrate those big and small wins with you!! The small wins are just as important.

We are currently offering lactation home and office visits, as well as virtual consults as needed. Home visits range anywhere from North Georgia like Jasper and Ellijay, down to Canton and Woodstock, over to Roswell and Alpharetta and surrounding areas. Lactation office visits are in the Woodstock/Canton area. Prenatal breastfeeding classes are taught at the office in Woodstock/Canton. Some insurance plans are accepted and we can work with you to determine if your plan is accepted. We do offer a discounted self pay rate if your plan is not accepted.

Any big plans?
The biggest change that is currently happening at Joyful Lactation is that I have brought on 2 IBCLC’s to help provide more support to new moms. They are not new IBCLC’s but are new to private practice lactation support.

Having lactation support in the hospital versus outside of the hospital are really two different worlds. While I was becoming an IBCLC, I obtained all of my clinical hours in lactation private practice. As I completed my hours, I took a position in the hospital to provide lactation support so I have firsthand knowledge of the differences of both.

Both ladies are have completed onboarding at Joyful Lactation and are awaiting insurance credentialing, which should be happening over the next few weeks.

This was unplanned and super exciting! I believe that these wonderful IBCLC’s will be such a great addition to Joyful Lactation and will help continue to provide the same support that Joyful Lactation has been providing for the last 2.5 years!

While I don’t have any other plans to continue to grow Joyful Lactation, if the timing is right and the opportunity arises, then it will be considered.

The other thing that I have become passionate about is craniosacral therapy. This is a type of bodywork that works on the soft and connective tissue within the body to help release tension and balance the nervous system. I am in the process of taking the classes required to offer this service to babies. My goal is to have this completed in the next year to year and a half.

Pricing:

• Lactation Home visits: $265 for initial visit, $215 for follow ups
• Lactation Office Visits: $190 for initial visits, $150 for follow ups
• Travel fees for Home visits: $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joyfullactation.com
• Instagram: @kindacrunchyshea
• Other: 770-580-2932- call or text(preferred)