Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Hill
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?
I was already working as a postpartum nurse when I had my first baby, so I thought I was prepared and knew all about breastfeeding. Wow—was I wrong! Instead of the natural delivery I had planned, I had an emergency cesarean delivery two days after her due date. We both felt miserable and faced what felt like every challenge: she lost more than 10% of her birth weight in the hospital, struggled to latch, needed formula supplementation, and I had to figure out a nipple shield and learn to use a pump.
By the time my second baby arrived, I felt more prepared for latching. I was able to have a vaginal delivery with her, but then she spent a few days in the NICU. I relied on the hospital-grade breast pump until she could coordinate latching and breathing. But then, she lost too much weight, developed severe jaundice, and had to be in an incubator, which made bonding even harder. Eventually, we got the hang of nursing—but not without plenty of ups and downs along the way.
It wasn’t until I had been a nurse for 10 years that I truly understood what a lactation consultant was. I attended a three-day lactation conference that blew my mind and ignited a fire in my heart. I dove into lactation education, studied endlessly, passed the IBCLC exam, and later had the honor of teaching at that same conference. After nearly 20 years of working in hospitals, I transitioned to private practice, where I continue doing what I love most: helping families feel confident in feeding their babies.
I often wish I could send the “me of now” back to the “me of then” to help myself have a better experience. Since I can’t do that, I pay it forward by helping others.
And if you’ve ever heard me talk about breastfeeding, you’ve probably heard my soapbox slogan: “Protect the Nipples All The Time!”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel incredibly lucky to have had so much support as I grew in my skills. Most of the challenges I faced were more like “growing pains” as I stepped into new roles.
When I first became an IBCLC, I was working at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and was part of the team building up their lactation program. It was a familiar setting as I transitioned from bedside nursing to full-time lactation support, which made that shift relatively smooth. But I always held onto the dream of working in private practice.
Later, I transferred to Layton Hospital to build their lactation program. In this role, I had the opportunity to open their outpatient lactation clinic—an incredible experience that taught me how to develop a program from the ground up and allowed me to follow babies over many months. At the time, these felt like major challenges, but only because they were new experiences.
As my kids grew up, I realized I needed a different work-life balance. That’s when I created my own business, Light Up Lactation, and a friend invited me to join her private practice, Breezy Babies. This was an incredible turning point—the realization of my dream to work in private practice while having a strong, supportive team.
I never imagined leaving the hospital system, so taking that leap felt like jumping with a safety net. And I’ve never looked back.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a small business within a small business, which makes my work unique! As Light Up Lactation, I teach a prenatal lactation class once a month in Kaysville. This class is such a joy to teach—we practice positioning and latching, dive into the details, and finish with troubleshooting and support strategies. I love using visual aids, engaging with families, and helping them walk away feeling more confident.
I approach my work with the mindset of being the support I didn’t have. With that intention, I created a free breastfeeding support group that meets twice a month in Kaysville. This is a safe, welcoming space where we share the highs and lows of the week, check in with each other, and offer encouragement and solutions.
As part of the Breezy Babies team, I offer one-on-one consultations where I get to know my clients, understand their health history, and provide individualized care tailored to exactly what they and their baby need. These consultations can take place in the comfort of the client’s home or via telehealth, and because many insurance plans provide coverage, most families pay little to nothing out of pocket.
I bring a holistic, non-judgmental approach to lactation and teaching—rooted in empathy, compassion, and a few jokes along the way. Every parent and baby are two whole people, and I look at the full picture: a physical assessment of both parent and baby, how feeding fits into their family dynamic, and checking in on their mental and emotional well-being.
I openly communicate what I’m thinking and charting, making sure my clients are involved in every step. I see myself as part of their team, with the parent and baby at the center. The more they understand what’s happening, the more everything—positioning, latching, pumping, baby’s development, and expectations—comes together.
Feeding a baby is a team sport, and I get to be both coach and cheerleader!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Everyone’s questions always seem to pop up in the middle of the night! That’s why I create social media content that answers those late-night questions with tips that are easy to apply in the moment. Families can find me @light_up_lactation for support whenever they need it.
I also love crocheting and have even made most of the models I use in my teaching! You can find them for sale on my website and Etsy shop.
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to take a class and watch videos about feeding expectations before your baby arrives. I also encourage new parents to attend a postpartum lactation support group while still pregnant—seeing babies latch in real life makes a big difference!
Latching, positioning, pumping, and feeding babies are socially taught skills—we either need to see it happen or have someone there to guide us. I love the beauty in that! My goal is to shine light on all things lactation and lighten the load of learning this new skill—that’s exactly why I named my business Light Up Lactation.
Wishing you all the best on your feeding journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lightuplactation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/light_up_lactation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553418809197
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@light_up_lactation
