The Second9Months

Aetna plans to drastically reduce choices for lactation support, making many consultations subject to co-pay. This means parents will need to pay even though Aetna promises 6 visits. **These changes are already being implemented!**

👉🏼If you work for
*Amazon
*Costco
*REI
*CVS
*Facebook/META
And many many others, your benefits are being CUT.

Anyone in the US can sign. Please sign and share to everyone you know!

STOP changes in Aetna insurance Coverage for Lactation Support If we do not fight these changes they will happen. We have nothing to lose by objecting and everything to gain if we are able to make a difference. Please sign the petition! 

Dads ask me all the time how to bond with their babies if they are not feeding them. THIS is how it’s done! Touching, mutual gazing and wearing your baby are all fine ways to bond.

Enjoy your cuddling time,Dads!











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Make a difference! Aetna is planning to cut benefits for families! 😳 If you want MORE access to lactation support not less, please go to my highlights and sign the petition that’s going to !

The changes they are proposing directly impacts YOU. There are more details in the petition

Questions? Ask in comments!



Did insurance help you access lactation support ?

Are you interested in bargain continuing education? Want to learn more about tongue tie? IF so, this conference is for YOU. Whether you are a physician, IBCLC, doula or provide community breastfeeding support, you will learn a ton. AND It's VIRTUAL so you can learn at your leisure! It's time to register!

Tongue Tie: Clarity in Complexity June 10th 2024 - August 30th 2024

I love it when people find my book helpful! What's your experience?

Back in the office after some vacation and ready to discuss tongue ties with a family who had heard conflicting information and recommendations. It’s always best to start with an IBCLC with extensive training and experience in assessing oral function before having a procedure done for your baby. These books have great photos to share with families.

Aetna is planning a change in coding that will dramatically impact breastfeeding families. If you have been helped by myself or another lactation consultant, please sign this petition! We need to keep insurance coverage for IBCLCs so that families have access and can use their insurance!

Post any questions below!

STOP changes in Aetna insurance Coverage for Lactation Support If we do not fight these changes they will happen. We have nothing to lose by objecting and everything to gain if we are able to make a difference. Please sign the petition! 

If you have ever been helped by an IBCLC, please consider signing this petition. Aetna has plans to gut their coverage for lactation support and we need to make sure they hear from YOU!

STOP changes in Aetna insurance Coverage for Lactation Support If we do not fight these changes they will happen. We have nothing to lose by objecting and everything to gain if we are able to make a difference. Please sign the petition! 

Thank you .llama.lactation for the sweet review. It was wonderful meeting you in Cleveland.

👅If you are looking for an easy way to explain tongue/lip tie to parents or if you are a a parent needing more information, this book is for you!

*Clear photos
*Real babies from my practice
*Simple language
*Diversity
*Comprehensive

Available on Amazon! Link in bio.

🙋🏽‍♀️Any questions? Please ask!











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Does your baby cry doing tummy time? Maybe they're lonely!

Try doing tummy time on your body. Or, if they're on the floor, get down at their level and play with them. You will probably find they are smiling and enjoying it. And you will too!

I suggest to my clients that babies be on their tummies as much as possible when they are awake and avoid car seats except when in the car. Let your baby MOVE!

Tummy time is important for many reasons, but it should also be fun

Enjoy!

What a fun memory from 2018 in Rotterdam. And so excited I get to speak for GOLD Lactation Online Conference again this year for the upcoming Tongue Tie conference!

We're spending time with GOLD speaker Renee Beebe at ! Wonderful to visit with you at the booth Renee!

This is soooo important. Thank you for creating this post, Babies in Common!

For too long, we've been rougher with breasts (even our own) than we should be. The breast is both an organ and a glad. Image treating your thyroid gland or your liver like some treat breasts. Be gentle.

Breasts get inflamed sometimes, which we call plugged ducts, engorgement, and sometimes that leads to mastitis and some other worse medical issues. If your ankle was inflamed, would you squeeze it, poke it, rub it firmly? No, you'd be gentle. You'd apply cold. You wouldn't put a virbrating tool on it, either (side note: companies can put whatever they want on the US market, whether it's good for you or not).

Please be gentle with your breasts. No heat, no poking, no squeezing, no vibrating tools.

Your breasts will thank you.

Technically my firstborn made me a mother. But mothering is a process. And I feel that my idea of motherhood and who I am as a mother has been shaped by both of my daughters.

They have also helped to shape my career as an IBCLC. And they were very good at teaching me that babies are individuals and have unique needs!

They are grown up now. But I’m still evolving as a mom 🤱🏻and still learning from every client I have the honor to support. 💗

Happy Mothers Day!! 👏🏼











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I sent 20 books to Cleveland just in case folks wanted one right NOW. I’m pleased to report I didn’t have to take any home with me ! And it was a great way to meet new friends. 🥰

What a fun,affirming time I’ve had.











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Proud to be a speaker at











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Fairy hair, meeting with friends, autographing books (yes apparently I do that now!) and pearls of wisdom.

Let the conferencing begin!













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I’m ready to go to conference. So incredibly excited to be part of this event. There is every discipline imaginable attending. All of them interested in tongue tie and airway issues for all over the world. I’m absolutely impressed with folks coming from a Norway and Australia Italy and more for a conference in Cleveland!

And the best part will be reconnecting with good friends who I haven’t seen in years and making new ones. So honored to be a part of it all.











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This family was prepared! They welcomed twins into the world and they had heard that breastfed babies NEED to use preemie ni***es or they would not keep breastfeeding. We learned today, that preemie was not the right fit.

A preemie ni**le may work for your baby but If the bottle seems laborious for baby.. if you are noticing a lot of sucks and not very many actual drinks, the ni**le may be the wrong size (or possibly the wrong shape) for your baby.

It is a common misconception that we need to make bottle feeding difficult if babies are going to keep breastfeeding. Feeding should be enjoyable whether at breast or bottle.

How do you know what’s right? Look for a comfortable, relaxed baby and rhythmic suck/swallows. (Just like breastfeeding!) Swallows should be about every other suck with occasional breaks.

Your IBCLC should be able to help you figure out the best bottle for YOUR baby. If not , I’m happy to help!



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The fingers you see in that photo belong to the baby’s mom. She did not live in my town or even my country! Her help with the exam gave us vital information to help solve her baby’s feeding difficulties.

Virtual consults are an important part of what you offer as an IBCLC. It gives you flexibility and allows you to see more clients. But please do the oral exams! And if you’re not comfortable, learn!

I have a popular webinar that could help. Actually2! One is specifically about tongue tie and the other is about virtual consults in general.

Link is in bio. Learn.second9months.com. Comment or message if you’d like a 30% off COUPON!











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I love hanging out with doulas and being able to share the history of NAPS (NW Association for Postpartum Support) with them was a real treat! The weather cooperated for a nice outdoor meet up.

Our Director Amanda and Membership Lead Aleca met with one of the founders of NAPS, Renee Beebe! Such a fun time looking back at old newsletters and photos and talking about all things NAPS Doulas! Renee is a supporting member now! Welcome back! We’re so glad you’re here!

Why in the world do we say all the letters all the time?

Because unfortunately the term “Lactation Consultant” was never trademarked. So anyone can call themselves a lactation consultant. And I mean anyone, people❗️

IBCLCs have rigorous training —it takes YEARS- and standards to uphold and and they are the only lactation credential recognized by the surgeon general of US.

So if you are seeking help for feeding your baby, ask for an IBCLC!

Celebrating my fellow Lactation Consultants all over the globe! Yes we are passionate but we also have serious skills!











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Continuing to breastfeeding and/or pump when you return to work is actually GOOD for your employer!
Learn how to capitalize on that and prepare for your return to employment in this upbeat, online class.

ALL classes are 50% off in February

Enjoy!

Visit Learn.second9months.com Coupon Code VALENTINE

This means breastfeeding classes just $15. And others are $15-25. Sign up here. https://learn.second9months.com/

It's okay if you sleep with your children. ⁣
⁣
It's okay if you hold them so close that you feel their heart beating against yours and the slow inhale and exhale of their breath.⁣
⁣
It's okay if you sleep in a bed full of kids every single night without fail. ⁣
⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦.⁣
⁣
So, enjoy it now because this is only a stage. Soon, they'll be grown and want their 𝘰𝘸𝘯 space. In their 𝘰𝘸𝘯 room. Their 𝘰𝘸𝘯 apartment. Their 𝘰𝘸𝘯 home. ⁣
⁣
So today, it's okay if you choose to be with them as much as possible.⁣
⁣
Because I know you'll miss it. Every breath. Every kick. Every flail.

✍️: (Danielle Sherman-Lazar)
📸:

My clients often ask: “is it normal that one breast makes more milk than the other?” Yes! And the vast majority of time it’s the right breast that makes more milk regardless of whether you are right or left handed! 😮

Fascinating. And absolutely nothing to worry about!

❓What’s your experience? Does your right or left breast make more? Or have you never seen much difference?











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I love my work as an IBCLC. I love helping people feed their babies. But nothing compares to being this little guy’s “Nanay.” And his hugs melt my heart.

I’m so proud of him and his parents! And truly blessed to be in his life.

Happy Birthday my little friend!

From Seattle's Child this morning.

‘Fit to be Tied:’ New parent guide to tongue tie Tongue tie in newborns is all over the news these days. Learn about about it Seattle lactation consultant Renee Beebe's new visual book.

So true! Hey pump companies, get with the program. The breastfeeding folks out there know what's up. It's time to listen! What's YOUR size?

If pump companies were ever to make a resolution for 2024, my hope is that it would be to
♻️ RECYCLE the 2️⃣4️⃣mm in 2024!!! 🌳🌱🌴
Given that 24mm (and larger fl**ges) are too large for 99% of the earth's population who pump their milk 🌎 (that's my estimate but hey, the research studies are coming)...that means that hundreds of thousands of plastic fl**ges are going in the trash 🗑️ (well, for those who had an effective fl**ge fitting anyway)...I know, I know, some people DO pump extremely comfortably (it should feel like nothing or a gentle tug) and get plenty of milk out in 15-20 minutes with a 24mm or larger (hey, rarely 21 and larger, honestly), but if 21mm+ works for them, then cool, they can keep 'em. We need a few 21mm+ fl**ges available. But all pumps should come with sizes 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17...at least that's what I think (and many of my colleagues agree).
Share this post and tag pump companies, please!!!
If you are convinced you are using the perfect size for you (based on my Fl**ge FITS™ Guide), what size are you using?
Or if you're a lactation professional who does fl**ge fittings, what are your top three most common sizes?
If you work for a pump company, what is your excuse? :)
Any tags below do not reflect endorsement of any pump or pump company, just for the record. Many pumps are of good quality, some aren't but hey...no one asked me...

~ Jeanette Mesite Frem, MHS, IBCLC, RLC, CCE
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Creator, Fl**ge FITS™ Guide and several courses for lactation professionals and for parents about pumping and feeding gear.