We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stephanie Dunn. Check out our conversation below.
Stephanie, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m proud of the connections I build with my patients. I love taking the time to find out where people grew up, what they do for hobbies, if they drink coffee or have a dog. In breastfeeding, we weigh babies, talk about volumes, we convert kilograms to pounds. One of my favorite questions is, “do you like math?” It’s personal, but not too personal. I find that most people like math, and some people really, really love math. The engineers are especially excited have this conversation and find out how math relates to breastfeeding and having a newborn. I love to tell people that I come from a family of engineers. I’m proud of the deep connections I form with every family that comes through the office. PS, you don’t have to love math to breastfeed!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a pediatrician who loves everything about being a pediatrician. But there are parts of me that could have been a talk show host or a designer or a weatherwoman. As we trudged through the pandemic, my imagination was on fire thinking where I wanted to take my career. I have enormous energy. I wanted to take all the threads and weave them into something that was my very own; voila, Woven Pediatrics was born.
Woven Pediatrics is a medical practice for new families who are breastfeeding curious. Colorado has high rates of breastfeeding initiation, but the rates fall quickly, even after the first week. Lactation is hard, and there is very little support out there. Babies need to gain weight, but they also need time to learn to nurse. Breasts are not decorations! Until a mom has a baby, she’s never used them for their intended purpose. The post-partum period is wild: the stakes are high, the hormones are crashing, and the emotions are overwhelming. Woven Pediatrics is here to help new families through those very difficult first days. Woven Pediatrics is the only physician-led breastfeeding and lactation medicine practice in Colorado.
As I tell families when they first call, both mamas and bambinos are patients at Woven Pediatrics. Sometimes the lactating parent has the majority of the problems. Sometimes it’s the baby causing trouble. Most of the time, it’s a hot mess of learning, adjusting, trying one thing, fixing another. Every dyad is different, and this is the place to get it sorted.
While I try to hold tender the mental health aspects of the 4th Trimester, Woven Pediatrics values evidence-based medicine, practicality, safety and honesty. This is a medical office with coffee shop feels. Breastfeeding is difficult, not dark or desperate. This is a fun place! Babies always give us something to laugh about, thank goodness.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a rule follower. Rules exist for a reason – they organize us, help us know what to expect and make us feel safe. The world has taught me to reconsider all these rules that I’ve accepted and taken for granted without second thought. I’m not saying I drive 85 miles an hour (don’t do that!), but I do think about the rules of engagement, especially when it comes to my career. Is this really a rule? Or is it an expectation? Where does this rule come from? Does it apply to me?
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being judged by others. Thankfully, that fear has faded as I’ve gotten older. Who care what everyone else thinks? I do my own thing with integrity, warmth, humor, and persistence. If someone has a problem with that, that’s their problem.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Here’s the truth: humans want to lactate and breastfeed their babies. Some say lactation is not for feminists or athletes or addicts or career women or older moms. Some say formula is just as good. I talk about breasts and babies and nursing and lactation with a lot of people from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, different careers, hobbies and personalities. They all want to share their stories, learn to use their breasts, nurture and nourish their babies. It is very human to strongly desire to breastfeed. How would we be here if not?!? Everyone wanting to breastfeed deserves that chance – it’s the experience of a lifetime. This truth is the reason Woven Pediatrics is here – to support all lactation journeys.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope moms tell their kids what they remember about breastfeeding. I hope they talk about how frustrating and high stakes and overwhelming it was in the early days. I hope they remember visiting at Woven Pediatrics and feeling cared for as they persisted, made progress and overcame challenges. I hope they tell their kids, “You were there! We learned together, and we both loved it.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wovenpeds.com
- Instagram: @WovenPediatrics
- Linkedin: Stephanie (Marion) Dunn, MD, IBCLC
Image Credits
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