Lactation Support


The Formula Shortage Crisis: Why, How, and What Do I Do Now?

The formula shortage crisis: why, how, and what do I do now?    We are in the midst of an unprecedented formula shortage which is creating a crisis for parents of babies who rely on formula for some or all of their diet. Parents in need of formula must know what their options are in order to feed their babies...

What to expect from an in-person Lactation Consultant visit

What to expect from an in-person Lactation Consultant visit Kimberleigh Weiss-Lewit, MA, IBCLC Getting a comfortable latch, overcoming nipple pain, dealing with engorgement, making sure your little one is gaining and thriving, setting up your pump, questions about feeding and sleeping—there are many reasons you may have decided to reach out to a Lactation Consultant for an in-person visit. Whether...

Nutrition for the Breastfeeding Mom or Lactating Parent

Nutrition for the Breastfeeding Mom or Lactating Parent By Lillian Yang, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist   First of all, a big congratulations to you! Whether you’ve come to this article prior to giving birth, or after, it is never too late to learn about nutrition for the lactating parent or breastfeeding/bodyfeeding mom.  As a new mom myself, I learned that breastfeeding is...

Breast pumping basics

When you are expecting a new baby, it’s normal to have lots of questions about pumping. It can feel like getting a breast pump for your milk is a top priority! Whether you plan to breastfeed/bodyfeed, exclusively pump and bottle feed or are not sure what your feeding plan will look like yet, having a pump available after your baby is born can be really helpful. In fact, most insurance companies will cover the cost of a double-electric pump and for those who end up needing a stronger hospital-grade pump—you can usually obtain one from a local hospital, pharmacy or lactation consultant’s office. In addition to having access to an electric pump, many nursing parents also like to have a hand pump like the Hakkaa or Elvie Curve. Finally, it is important to note that often the most effective and comfortable way to express milk is with your own hands. Hand expression is the best method for early milk (colostrum) removal, and lots of lactating parents continue to use manual milk expression throughout their nursing journeys!...

Top Tips for Treating Plugged Ducts and Mastitis

Plugged ducts and mastitis are common conditions that can appear in lactating people. If you’re experiencing a hard, painful spot or lump it could be a plugged or clogged duct....

Top 5 Ways Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Can Help With Breastfeeding Difficulties

One of the most rewarding parts of my Family Medicine practice is working with new parents to help their babies with breastfeeding/bodyfeeding challenges. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for babies is an amazing modality, widely used in Europe, that few American parents are aware of. OMT can help change a frustrating and painful breastfeeding experience to a more peaceful and fulfilling one. Here are the top 5 questions people have about OMT to help you see if OMT is the right modality for you to try on your lactation journey!...

The Best Positions for Breastfeeding / Bodyfeeding

Ultimately the breastfeeding position or bodyfeeding position that works best for you and your baby is your ideal position! You may start with one or two positions and as your baby grows you may begin to find many ways to nurse. In any position, remember that your comfort and stability is as important as your baby’s. ...

Tips for breastfeeding / chestfeeding with inverted or flat nipples

Many new parents worry that their nipples are not adequate for nursing their new babies. While breastfeeding/chestfeeding with flat and inverted nipples can be more difficult, especially if your baby also has challenges achieving a deep latch, nipple size and shape may be less of a concern than a parent may have anticipated. With ideal latch and positioning support, many people can nurse their babies just fine, despite non-protruding nipples. It might be reassuring to remember that babies latch onto the areola, not just the nipple and that they can even “pull” an inverted nipple out with good sucking....

5 weaning tips from a lactation consultant

There are many reasons a nursing parent may decide to stop breastfeeding or pumping. It can feel like a big decision or just a natural next step, but no matter why you are choosing to wean, it is really important to protect your health (both physical and mental) during the process. It might be comforting to remember that all nursing parents do eventually wean and that the body is designed for the transition....

All things related to tongue-tie part 1

Are you experiencing pain while nursing? Cracked nipples? Super long or very short feedings? Slow weight gain? Shallow latch? Challenges with bottle feeding? Gassy/acid-reflux baby? Possibly combined with slow weight gain for your baby? Tongue-tie might be the cause of the problem. Medically known as ankyloglossia, this condition, present at birth, can restrict the tongue’s range of motion so it may interfere with compression and milk removal....