LatchtasticLactation, LLC

I am now a Certified Neurodiverse Lactation Specialist! What does this mean? It means I have special training that enables me to meet the needs of breastfeeding parents who have challenges with sensory processing challenges, such as exist in the Autism Spectrum, ADD, Dyslexia, etc. Breastfeeding is for all!

Tips for Coming Home with Baby

Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way to make the newborn days easier:
• Put gift certificates for Grub Hub, Uber Eats and Instacart on your baby registry. I guarantee there will be days when you don’t feel like shopping or cooking.
• Prepare some meals to freeze before baby is born so you can just pop them in the oven. Consider doing a “once a month cooking” plan. This might seem like a chore, but if you invite a friend to help you with it, you can have a whole month that you can stay out of the kitchen. I like The Shabby Creek Cottage website. It’s more than just recipes; it also has tips to make mass meal prep easy.
• Prep a nursing station in your bedroom and living room. Make sure you have a comfy chair, pillows (it doesn’t need to be a Boppy-type pillow, any pillows will do), a cozy blanket, a side table for your water bottle and phone. Having your phone or iPod set up with your favorite music in your nursing space helps, too. Don’t forget to have my number programmed into your phone so you can call with quick questions!
• Set up a pumping station if you will be pumping. If your baby is a champion latcher and your supply is good, you can wait a few weeks to do this. Set it up like your nursing station but add your pump and a basket with pump wipes and pump parts.
• Another great baby shower gift to suggest to your generous friends and family is a gift certificate for housecleaning. Get off your feet and let someone else clean!
• Try to limit visitors in the first few weeks after baby is born. In addition to keeping baby dear from germs, you will be giving yourself a break. No need to do anything but lounge in PJs and breastfeed.
• When people do come to visit (Seriously, you are not going to be able to keep a grandma away) put them to work. The tax for baby holding is one load of laundry, one floor vacuumed, or one kitchen clean.
• Let people know what to expect before baby is born. If you don’t want visitors in the first few days, let people know. It’s better to let them know in advance than it is to say no to them on the day they ask if they can come over.

Hopefully these tips will make the newborn days easier. And, as always, please give me a call if you have any questions about feeding your little lamb!

According to Ginny Stiller, IBCLC there are 1.8 billion women of childbearing age who are neurodiverse. This could be women with autism spectrum conditions, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, etc... Yet there is only 1 program that trains healthcare practitioners on supporting women who are neurodivergent and breastfeeding. I am thrilled to be participating in this training course!

I think people often forget that kids with conditions like autism and ADD, etc. grow up. They can continue their education, get jobs, be in relationships, marry, have kids, and such. Basically they live their adult lives while still managing a condition that is often misunderstood or unrecognized in adulthood. I hope awareness of these conditions in adulthood continues to grow, especially among medical professionals.

WABA's traditional month to celebrate breastfeeding is in August. It's September now, but let's keep celebrating the miracle milk that breastfeeding moms provide!

"Why should I see a Lactation Consultant while I'm still pregnant?"

Occasionally, IBCLCs hear this question. There are good reasons to see a Lactation Consultant before baby is born! I've listed them below.

1. So you will know who to call if you have breastfeeding questions or challenges after baby is born. The last thing you want to be doing the night you get home from the hospital with a baby that won't latch is to be searching Google for an IBCLC. By having a prenatal visit, you can have plan for how to manage any breastfeeding challenges that may arise after baby is born.

2. You will already have an established relationship with an IBCLC. Let's be honest; childbirth leaves little room for modesty. You've had scores of people looking up your lady bits, the last thing you want a stranger to be doing is examining the girls. By having an established relationship with an IBCLC, there is already someone who you know and trust working with you. Breastfeeding can be hard enough in the beginning without having to show your breasts to another stranger.

3. If you have seen an IBCLC prenatally, they know your medical and personal history. They already know if something might complicate your breastfeeding journey and have already come up with a plan to manage it even before your baby is born. The IBCLC will be prepared for your situation. This is especially important if you have any chronic medical issues, breast surgeries, etc...

3. You won't have any surprise expenses. Having a prenatal appointment lets you get important information about if the lactation care will cost you anything out of pocket. Some IBCLCs don't accept insurance like I do. You will want to know that in advance. In addition, you will already know if the IBCLC works on a sliding scale or if they will make a payment plan for you. This can alleviate a lot of the worry over the cost of care. BTW, I do offer a sliding scale and payment plans.

So if you are pregnant, make an appointment with me or another IBCLC. If you are a grandma or aunt-to-be, or if you are looking for a great shower gift contact me for a prenatal IBCLC visit gift certificate.

It can be one of the most joyful experiences on earth. It can also be one of the most trying. Whether it's a problem with latching, milk supply, or any other breastfeeding challenge, call me. I can help.