Laura Behm DNP, FNP-C, IBCLC, PMHNP is an Adjunct Instructor for the Simmons School of Nursing Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program. She is also the co-founder and co-owner of Milky Moms, which offers lactation services and counseling services to mothers. Behm and her co-owner, Lea Lacefield, (both are Doctors of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioners, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) were listed in Southern Maryland’s “Women to Watch 2024” for their work supporting maternal mental health. We spoke to Behm about her approach to this work and what she loves about teaching Simmons students.
Laura Behm says that Milky Moms, her private practice focused on maternal mental health and lactation support, began in response to her own struggles as a working mother.
“Lea [Lacefield] and I worked together as nurse practitioners in pediatric care,” she recalls. “When we had kids of our own, we both struggled. It was so hard! I wondered where moms could go for support, especially moms who don’t know nurse practitioners.”
Finding limited resources available in her community, Behm and Lacefield stepped in to fill the void. “We started Milky Moms as a side gig to help women in need.” Though both Behm and Lacefield are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), they decided to welcome all parents to the group, regardless of how they choose to feed their babies. The support groups are offered free of charge, with no insurance required.
“We built support groups for parents and babies, and that was a game changer. We were surprised at how fast it grew,” Behm says. Less than four years later, Milky Moms has eight offices and 15 staff members. “It’s grown through word of mouth. People were driving longer distances to get to us, so we set up a satellite model.”
Now there are support groups in five counties across Maryland, with a sixth location pending. “Those groups turn into friendships outside of our business,” says Behm, who notes that they wouldn’t have been able to expand into other counties without the additional staff. “We have an amazing team,” she says. “They can support those groups, and I can see how many women are benefiting from the service.”
In addition to the support groups, Milky Moms began offering individual counseling services in 2022. They recently hired a fourth nurse practitioner who will focus on mental health and education, spending one-on-one time with clients. “We offer [our clients] non-judgmental support,” says Behm. “Our goal is to help them with their goals.” While insurance covers the cost of private appointments for mental health and lactation support, Milky Moms also offers lowered rates for uninsured mothers. They offer prenatal and newborn care classes, and are planning future childbirth classes, as well. Group meetings also include support for people trying to conceive, through postpartum,” says Behm. “We welcome anyone in childbearing age, if that is a goal or part of their history.”
So, what is making parenting increasingly difficult these days?
“Social media offers clear benefits to help connect women and families,” says Behm, “but it also offers a picture-perfect illusion [of parenthood], implying that it’s so easy for some people. If a mom is struggling with milk production and sees a social media post of a freezer full of milk, it can make her feel like she’s doing it wrong. The fact is, she is doing something wonderful, even if it is difficult.”
Behm notes that some mothers suffer emotional or physical trauma from labor and delivery. “You have to take care of a tiny human while processing your own physical and emotional healing,” she notes. “If you have this illusion that everyone else is doing better, it makes it even harder. The support groups address these feelings of isolation. They show parents that they are not alone.”
Behm has been affiliated with Simmons School of Nursing since 2019, when she taught the Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Decision Making course (NURP 535). She helped develop the courses she is now teaching in the Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program.
“My goal is to be able to teach students how to offer evidence-based practice and care, and help them to find their passion,” says Behm. “I don’t expect them to love what I love — there are a lot of options out there. I like seeing them learn and have those aha moments.”
This fall, Behm is teaching PMHNP II & III: Diagnosis & Management (NURP 542 and NURP 543), which focus on perinatal and pediatric mental health.
“I love teaching at Simmons,” she adds. “Simmons students are extremely well-prepared from a clinical perspective. They are genuine and respectful of cultural differences. It’s rewarding to see students who want to develop that cultural awareness, and Simmons students prioritize that.”