So it’s getting to be that time: returning to work after your maternity leave – but you’re breastfeeding. You’re not alone. Almost two-thirds of women work during their pregnancy, and 70% take leave after giving birth. On average, the leave is approximately 10 weeks, but 16% of women only take 1-4 weeks off. (The state of maternity leave in this country is a whole other post…). In order to make both work and breastfeeding happen, then you will likely end up needing to pump. Before you go on maternity leave, you should be familiar with your rights as a… Read More

It came out of nowhere, 11 months into my nursing journey. I picked my son up from his morning nap, and when he snuggled against my chest, the side of my breast was sore, like a bruise. I felt it and it was tender and hard; when he nursed, I could feel that the side of my breast was like it had a rock inside it. Sure enough: it was a clogged milk duct. Clogged or blocked ducts can occur when the breast isn’t being emptied of milk regularly. This could be from sudden weaning, a breast pump that is too… Read More

Beautiful images of mothers nursing their newborns seem to be all over social media lately. When you make the choice to breastfeed your own child, you probably envision sweet moments in the nursery rocking chair, gazing adoringly at the sweet baby cradled in your arms. Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to connect with your newborn, and it’s the best food for your baby during that first year. But breastfeeding can be a challenge, and many mothers give up before their children turn one. The CDC reports that while 81.1% of moms start out breastfeeding, just over… Read More

It seems like yesterday I was sitting in a college classroom dreaming about the day I would be able to put all of that medical input overload to use. Never in my wildest dreams would I have seen myself here. Many people are curious about what I do. As a breastfeeding consultant, I help prepare families for their journey, before baby comes. Once baby arrives, my real “job” happens. Breastfeeding journeys are beautiful, and hard, and wonderful, and emotional… and every journey is different. Some babies need a little more help figuring things out than others. That’s where I step… Read More

If you’re thinking about having a baby, or are a pregnant working mom, there’s an excellent chance you’ve thought about what you will do after the baby is here, work-wise – with good reason. The United States is the only developed country in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid maternity leave. In 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act was passed, but it only guaranteed 12 weeks of unpaid leave for full-time workers, and only for those who work for companies with at least 50 employees. For many women, this leave is cut short, simply because they can’t afford to… Read More

Breastfeeding is normal and natural. We are meant to feed our babies in this way. However, this does not mean that it is always easy. When breastfeeding challenges arise, you can seek help from experienced support people such as sisters, friends or your mother. Sometimes it is necessary to find a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group to help move through these issues. Read More

Breastfeeding starts off as an intimate dance between you and your baby, but pretty soon most moms are feeling ready to re-enter society. Or you’re not feeling quite ready but you realize you need some support. Either way, one of the best ways to ease out of your babymoon is to find some other nursing moms to hang out with so you can nurse your baby with other women. Read More

If you’re pregnant or have a baby or toddler, you’ve most likely thought about wearing your child – even if you haven’t thought about it in that exact way. The aisles at Target and Babies”R”Us have all sorts of slings, ergonomic carriers, wraps – there’s certainly no shortage! Even though babywearing, or baby wearing, is a relatively new trend here in the U.S., it’s been common practice in many other cultures for centuries. Read More

In Preventing and Treating Engorgement Part One, we learned what happens when the milk “comes in”, common concerns about fullness or over-fullness, and how to manage mild to severe engorgement. Here’s an easy to follow plan. Read More

Not all breast fullness, or mild engorgement, is painful or problematic. If your baby can latch and nurse, and your nipples are reasonably comfortable, you’ll get some relief each time you nurse, or may notice your breasts feel firmer before, and softer after nursing. Between feeding sessions, your breasts may simply feel warm or tingly, and heavier than usual. Read More