Leaked: On Making Milk In Survival Mode

A young family stands on the beach on a sunny day, flying a bright orange kite near the shoreline. The mother, visibly pregnant, stands beside her partner who is holding their toddler. The scene captures a joyful moment in the family’s journey as they prepare to welcome another baby, highlighting the beauty of motherhood, pregnancy, and bonding outdoors.

Breastfeeding often feels like a taboo topic. The time and energy mothers devote to nursing, as well as the joys and hardships associated with it, are rarely—if ever—acknowledged. But we’re hoping to change that, one story at a time. In honor of breastfeeding mothers around the world, our Leaked series shares real stories from our community. Here, Lexi Chase, a mom of two in Waco, TX, shares about her milk coming in against all odds after a traumatic birth experience that required life-saving care.   


Breastfeeding has been one of the sweetest parts of motherhood for me. 

At a sunny beachside park, a pregnant mother in a red outfit stands beside her toddler who gently touches her bare baby bump. She holds an iced coffee in one hand and smiles at her child. This moment celebrates the transition between breastfeeding one child and preparing to nourish another, capturing the sweetness of sibling connection.


With my first baby, it was honestly blissful. We had such a smooth journey, and I cherished it—the slowness it forced me into, the bonding, the gift of nourishing him with my body. I ended up weaning him around 15 months when I got pregnant with my second, and my supply started to dip. It was bittersweet, but I felt peace because I knew I’d get to do it again soon.


Then my second baby was born—and it was a wild birth!


I had a beautiful VBAC, which felt empowering, but right after birth we discovered I’d had a rare uterine rupture in the back of my uterus. I lost about 80% of my blood during all the chaos. When I woke up from emergency life-saving surgery and the doctors had told me what had happened one of my first questions was when can I breastfeed him? They kindly and gently told me that the chances of my milk coming in is highly unlikely. Because my body had to prioritize survival, I was told that secondary or nonessential bodily functions would be de-prioritized as a result of the blood loss. But that didn’t stop me! I even remember the hospital lactation consultant coming in and gently telling me, “It would be a miracle if your milk came in.” I was devastated. It felt like another loss stacked on top of an already overwhelming experience.

A mother lies on a cozy couch in striped pajamas, snuggled up with her newborn and toddler. The baby rests on her chest with a muslin blanket while the older child holds her hand. This warm, everyday scene reflects the tender moments of tandem parenting, breastfeeding recovery, and bonding at home with young children.

But I couldn’t let go of the hope. My husband asked all of our friends and family to pray. We upped my iron (thank you beef liver capsules + staying hydrated + well nourished through GOOD food) and I rested as best as I could. Tried to keep constant stimulation for that brain/breast connection. When we continued to hope, the lactation consultant tried to set our expectations again saying “If this happens then I will put you in the book I write one day.”


And on day four, against all odds, my milk came in.  !!!!!!

A mother cradles her newborn close to her chest in a Flax Solly Baby wrap inside a colorful pottery studio. She looks down lovingly at her baby while breastfeeding, showcasing the intimacy and ease of feeding while babywearing. This moment captures the early postpartum phase and how baby wraps can support breastfeeding in daily life.


I never thought I would cry tears of joy over leaky, engorged boobs—but I did. It truly felt like a miracle. Almost every time I nurse now, I feel that same wave of gratitude. It continues to be healing for me—body and mind. It’s no longer something I assume will come easily or naturally—it’s something I hold with reverence. A true gift from God.

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