We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Trine Bradshaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Trine below.
Hi Trine, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I’ve never been satisfied with the normal or average answer to anything. I have always felt an urge to go deeper, to find real solutions, and to understand connections in human minds and bodies
I moved to Arizona, newly postpartum 21 years ago. It was an overwhelming time—no family nearby, no support system, and no one to lean on. I felt isolated, but I also realized that I wasn’t alone in that experience. There are so many new parents out there who face similar challenges.
In the middle of my struggles with feeding my baby and being a new parent, I realized something: if I couldn’t find the help I needed, I could become the helper.
My natural inclination to help and dig deeper wasn’t just about meeting my own needs—it was about becoming a resource for others who might have felt as lost and overwhelmed as I did.
Now, I strive to be the lactation consultant who doesn’t settle for “good enough”, who listens, and who helps my clients navigate their feeding and parenting challenges outside of the average set of answers and solutions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an infant feeding specialist, and my work centers on helping new families feed their babies. But what I do is far more intricate than it might sound. Feeding is one of the most fundamental aspects of nurturing a baby, and it’s often where families encounter their first big challenges.
My job involves understanding the infant’s feeding mechanics, primitive feeding reflexes, oral function, gut function, and their physiological needs for proper growth and development. But that is just half of the equation.
The other half is the parent, particularly if they are lactating. I assess lactation mechanics, and provide wound care for nipple damage, and sometimes even dive into more complex challenges, like milk supply issues or mental health struggles. It’s an intricate puzzle, and I’m here to help my clients with piecing it together.
What excites me most is the depth and breadth of what I do. I get to draw from a wide range of disciplines to help my clients in unique ways. Over the years, I’ve learned so much from occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, mental health professionals, and infant specialists in the medical field. That collective knowledge allows me to provide a level of care that’s outside the average scope of my field, and I think that’s what makes my approach so special.
I also love that every client’s situation is unique. Whether it’s helping a parent boost their milk supply, or addressing a baby’s feeding challenges, no two cases are the same. It keeps me constantly learning and growing, which I find incredibly rewarding.
I’m excited to share that I’ll soon be taking Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) courses. This will add another layer to the services I can provide my clients. CFT focuses on addressing fascial tension in the body, which can impact feeding mechanics and overall wellness. This training will allow me to offer even more comprehensive support to families, particularly those navigating complex feeding challenges.
Ultimately, my goal is to be a true jack of all trades for the families I serve, ensuring they feel supported and empowered during what can be a challenging yet beautiful chapter of their lives.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I reflect on my journey, three key skills or qualities stand out as being the most impactful:
1. The ability to see patterns and look for answers outside the box
This has been critical in helping me tackle complex challenges. Sometimes the answers aren’t obvious, and I’ve found that being able to step back, observe the bigger picture, and think creatively has made all the difference.
2. A deep need to know the “why” behind any answer
I’m not someone who can accept a surface-level explanation. I have to dig deeper, understand the root causes, and figure out how everything connects. This has been invaluable in my work, especially when addressing complicated issues that don’t have straightforward solutions.
3. Knowing that collaboration is key
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that you can’t get all the answers or all the help from one person. To be the best at what I do, I’ve had to embrace collaboration—referring families to other professionals when needed, learning from other fields, and recognizing that my role is part of a larger community effort.
My biggest advice is to embrace community and humility. Open your ears, your eyes, and your heart to the idea that we all need each other. As providers, we have to recognize that we won’t always be the best fit for every family, and that’s okay. What’s important is connecting with others—whether they’re clients or professionals—and learning from them.
Also, be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Find your people, the group you belong with, and learn from them. The most impactful learning doesn’t come from books—it comes from making real-world connections, listening to the unique experiences of your clients, and collaborating with other professionals.
Finally, resilience is everything. My personal journey has been full of change—I left my home country of Denmark at age 19, moved across four different states, raised kids as a full-time mom for years, left a 26-year marriage, came out as queer, and I am now a successful business owner. Each chapter taught me how to adapt, how to start fresh, and how to grow. So, to anyone just starting out: don’t fear change. Embrace it as part of your growth.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Collaboration is key to what I do. I’m always looking to partner with anyone who works with new families, especially those who think outside the box. I value working with people who are deeply dedicated to their craft, have an open mind, and are passionate about learning and sharing their knowledge. The goal is to collectively become better and raise the bar for our community.
If this sounds like you, I’d love to connect! The easiest way to reach me is through my business, Breast For Baby. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, and just send me a DM. I’m always excited to meet like-minded professionals who want to collaborate and make a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BreastForBaby.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breastforbaby/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreastForBaby
