Bloom Lactation Consulting

Returning to work after baby is a time of transition for the whole family. It certainly does not need to be a time of weaning, unless you want it to be!

Make a plan in advance!!

✨ Talk to your manager, find out where you can pump or hand express (with access to a sink- and NOT in a bathroom!!), and make a realistic plan with them for pump break frequency and length.

✨ Having a means to express you milk efficiently will allow you maintain your production and have milk to later feed your baby. Select a breast pump and properly fitted fl**ges.

✨ Think about how your baby will be fed your expressed milk. Bottle? Sippy cup? Be sure to trial these methods at least a few weeks before your return to work to ensure your baby has learned to use them.

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Such a great way to reframe this!

Period.

Happy to announce breast pump rentals! Complimentary drop off/pick up in HRM and fl**ge sizing with rental. Various fl**ge inserts available for best individual fit - allowing you to pump comfortably and get the most milk out!

Happy IBCLC DAY!!!!

THIS!

The most common reason for breastfeeding difficulties, poor weight gain and sore ni***es is a shallow latch. If you are having trouble breastfeeding see Positioning and Latching for more information. Consider contacting your local La Leche League Leader or an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for help.

Everyone has a thin membrane of tissue (lingual frenulum) that holds the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In some people it is visible, and in others it is not. A visible lingual frenulum is not always a sign of a tongue-tie. A tongue-tie is present when the lingual frenulum is tight and/or thick enough to restrict normal tongue movement. However, there is no clear, agreed-upon definition of what a normal lingual frenulum should look like. Because of this, it is difficult to know exactly how common tongue-tie is.

If your baby appears to have a tongue-tie but breastfeeds comfortably and effectively, no treatment is needed. However, some babies with a possible tongue tie are doing fine and then after a few weeks experience slow weight gain. If your baby appears to have a tongue-tie and is having difficulty breastfeeding or gaining weight and/or your ni***es are sore, even after seeing an IBCLC, then it may need to be treated.

To learn more about tongue-ties read our information sheet:
https://www.lllc.ca/tongue-and-lip-ties

Great tips for those holiday road trips coming up!

For some parents, the thought of taking your baby on your first long 🚗 car 🚗journey can be a bit stressful. But with some helpful tips, you can minimize the stress and maximize the enjoyment of your adventure.

⭐️Place your baby’s carseat in the middle of the back seat of the vehicle.
⭐️Plan ahead for keeping the sun off of your baby while driving.
⭐️Plan for plenty of nursing breaks along the way.
⭐️Pack lots of water and snacks, or perhaps meals.
⭐️Try to keep the seat beside your baby’s carseat empty.
⭐️Do not feed your baby in a moving vehicle. Some parents are tempted to unbuckle themselves and lean into the carseat to nurse while the driver keeps going. This is not safe. Planning for extra nursing breaks can help reduce the stress of arriving on time.

Read more:
https://www.lllc.ca/car-journeys-baby

🌟Gather your team!! 🌟

Arranging for these providers BEFORE your baby is born can help your experience and recovery go much more smoothly and reduce any delays in support and treatment. Give yourself grace and ask for the support you need! 💕💕

(Mani/Pedi just for fun 😂)

True story!! 😂😂

RSV season…

You may be worried about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and how it might affect your baby. This virus is very common. Most infants have had RSV by the time they are two years old. The older a baby is when they get it, the less severe the infection tends to be.

Studies show that breastfeeding has a protective effect against RSV. Breastfeeding does not prevent your baby from getting infected with this virus. However, all available studies show that breastfeeding reduces the seriousness of the illness. Babies who were breastfed for less than two months were more likely to be hospitalized when infected with RSV. Babies who were exclusively breastfed for more than four months were significantly less likely to be hospitalized and need oxygen when infected with RSV. Human milk has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that boost your baby’s own immune response to the virus. Human milk may also protect against serious airway damage.

If your baby was born premature, has lung disease, and/or heart disease these factors can complicate cases of RSV. The most effective ways to prevent illness is to limit exposure to the virus, wash hands regularly and continue to breastfeed. If you are concerned about your baby being exposed to the virus, ask people not to kiss or cuddle your baby.

If you have any breastfeeding questions or concerns, contact your local La Leche League Canada Leader who can provide you with support and information.

Very cute ☺️
Babies have several early feeding cues that tell you they are hungry, before they get to this stage though! 🤚😋👶🏼🤱

I am here to help if any of this are eerily accurate for you! 👻

I love LLL spooky themes themes days! 🎃
Does your baby have a “witching hours”?

Does your sweet child turn into a crying and insatiable gremlin in the evenings? If so, you may be experiencing the WITCHING HOURS!

This tricky time of day often happens between 5 pm and midnight. This is often when you are most tired, and not at your best. Younger babies may want to cluster feed or they may refuse the breast altogether. Many children, regardless of age, may not want to go to sleep even when they are tired!

HAHAHA

Many "Mummys" need support with weaning their little "monsters". Don't hesitate to reach out to an LLLC Leader if you have questions!

Read more about weaning:
https://www.lllc.ca/weaning

It’s that time of year Jessica pulls out the Pumpin Pumpkin pic!! 😂😂😂

New blog post!!

Do you know your breast pump fl**ge size?

Breast pump fl**ge sizing — Bloom Lactation Consulting Ensure you are using the right fl**ge size for comfortable and effective pumping!

Kicking off Canada’s Breastfeeding Week!!

Blessing Orajiaka’s Breastfeeding Experience Tell us about your breastfeeding experience. Breastfeeding has always been the norm for me, unless there’s a medical reason not to. Initially, I exclusively breastfed my first child for three…

Expressing antenatally can help both baby and your milk supply. Be sure to talk with your Doctor or Midwife to see if you are a good candidate for this.

One of the things that parents can do to prepare for breastfeeding is practice the technique of hand-expression and perhaps even save some small amounts of colostrum which can be given to your baby in the early days, if it is needed.

Hand-expression takes some practice. There is no need to be concerned if you don’t get any drops of milk. That’s okay. Whether or not you are able to remove any colostrum in pregnancy does not reflect how much milk you will make once your baby arrives. It is still helpful to get to know your breasts and practice hand-expression.

Read more:
https://www.lllc.ca/prenatal-colostrum-expression

Breastmilk is a superfood!!

Your milk is amazing. It’s just what your baby’s body needs. It provides the food your baby needs to grow and the immunity your baby needs to stay healthy. Your milk is important for your baby.

https://www.lllc.ca/amazing-milk

These tips work great for optimizing let-downs!!

New blog post!
Breastfeeding is a skill. It’s so important to establish a great foundation as both mom and baby learn together. 💕

The Latch: Mastering the Art of Breastfeeding — Bloom Lactation Consulting The Latch: Mastering the Art of Breastfeeding

As Hurricane Lee approaches we are feeling the effects across the province.

If you are facing an extended power outage and pumping or feeding your baby away from the breast, read the quick infosheet below for safety guidelines, and take a peek at the infographics attached here.

novascotia.ca

🎉New LLLC info sheet is available🎉

Quick Tips on positioning and latching is a great sheet for new families and healthcare professionals.
https://www.lllc.ca/sites/default/files/Quick%20Tips%20-%20Positioning%20and%20Latching-7.pdf

When your baby senses that you are nearby, your baby’s stress levels stay low. Low stress levels promote growth. Your baby sleeps comfortably knowing you are close. And you sleep comfortably knowing that your baby is next to you. When your baby begins to wake, you can move her to your breast quickly, before she cries. It is much easier to nurse a calm baby.

Studies have shown that babies who sleep near their nursing parent at night are more likely to breastfeed than those who sleep in different rooms. Babies who sleep in their mothers’ beds are the most likely to be breastfeeding at various ages. And parents who follow strict feeding and sleep practices are least likely to breastfeed.

New blog post 😊

Does Your Baby Have a Tongue Tie? — Bloom Lactation Consulting Here are a few common symptoms of tie tongue in babies.