Serenity Lactation and Wellness

Props to all the moms who can juggle a baby, a bottle, and a sense of humor! Happy International Joke Day! 🍼🤣
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🤩 Look at this sweet face! Here is a great position to change up your tummy time game. You can make it more or less challenging by lowering or raising your knees. Get partners or siblings involved to keep Baby’s attention and encourage head rotation in both directions. This is also a great position to get some burps out! Give some support to Baby’s hips so they don’t launch themselves forward off your lap 😅

Tummy time isn’t just fun—it’s crucial for your baby’s development! 🌟 Placing your newborn on their tummy helps build strength in their neck, shoulders, and arms, setting the foundation for milestones like rolling, sitting, and crawling. Plus, tummy time can help improve their latch during breastfeeding! Start with just a few minutes a day and watch them grow stronger and more confident! 💪👶

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✨I made a special delivery today! Grateful for my clients who can spread the love. 💖

Breastmilk is liquid gold, and sharing it can be a lifeline for many families. 🤱💛 According to the WHO, the hierarchy of infant feeding prioritizes mother’s own milk, followed by expressed breastmilk from the baby’s own mother, then ✨breastmilk from a donor✨, and finally, formula. Peer-to-peer breastmilk donation is an incredible way to support moms and babies who need it most. 🌟
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Sweet AC! I love seeing “my” babies grow! Guess what… Lactation support does not end in the newborn period. If you are making milk, you are eligible for lactation support. Returning to work? Sleeping longer at night? Teething? Starting solids? Nursing strikes? Weaning? I got you. 😉

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Remember that NO is a full sentence. 🙅🏻‍♀️
Protect your mental wellbeing this year, and know that you don’t have to do anything your not comfortable with. 🤰🏻🤱🏽👩🏼‍🍼😴💜

There’s no hunger like breastfeeding hunger
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🛑 Stop! 🛑

A lot of the methods for relieving mastitis symptoms are out dated and potentially harmful to your breast tissue!

Here’s some helpful Tips that work:

🧊 Use a Cold compress

💊 Ibuprofen for pain

📲 Call your lactation consultant

Stay away from:
❌ Deep Massage
❌Deep Vibration
❌ Intense Heat

Do you have the right fl**ge size?

Most breast pumps come with 24mm and 27 or 28mm fl**ges. I'm not sure who decided these are the most common sizes, but that has certainly not been my experience in sizing hundreds of clients!

Some key points to remember:

🤱 Large breasts does NOT mean large ni***es. Conversely, small breasts does not mean small ni***es! Similarly, large or small ar**las does not mean large or small ni***es.

🤰 ONLY THE NI**LE should move in the fl**ge tunnel. This is kind of opposite of latching a baby directly, where we want the baby to be deeply latched on breast tissue, including much of the ar**la.

👩‍🍼 You may need a different size for each breast! You may need a different size as time goes on and your supply increases or decreases! You may need a different size for different pumps and fl**ge styles!

💜 Sometimes there is trial and error involved in finding the right size. If you need help deciding which size you need, I have a ni**le measuring tool available in the link in my bio! 🔗📏

Working on continuing education, and loved this quote I pulled from .ruddle.ibclc ‘s presentation on relactation. 💕

When a client review warms your heart! 😊 We’re all about those sweet moments when you and your baby find that perfect latch. Thanks for the kind words.
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Most breast pumps come with 24mm and 27 or 28mm fl**ges. I'm not sure who decided these are the most common sizes, but that has certainly not been my experience in sizing hundreds of clients!

Some key points to remember:
🤱 Large breasts does NOT mean large ni***es. Conversely, small breasts does not mean small ni***es! Similarly, large or small ar**las does not mean large or small ni***es.

🤰 ONLY THE NI**LE should move in the fl**ge tunnel. This is kind of opposite of latching a baby directly, where we want the baby to be deeply latched on breast tissue, including much of the ar**la.

👩‍🍼 You may need a different size for each breast! You may need a different size as time goes on and your supply increases or decreases! You may need a different size for different pumps and fl**ge styles!

💜 Sometimes there is trial and error involved in finding the right size. If you need help deciding which size you need, I have a ni**le measuring tool available in the link in my bio! 🔗📏

Breastfeeding is a superpower that should not be underestimated. It is a skill that requires dedication and hard work, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Do not doubt yourself, and remember that you are capable of achieving your goals. Be proud of your achievements! 🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

New Announcement! 📣
Now accepting Aetna insurance! 💜
Click the link in my bio to schedule your first appointment today. 🗓️📲

No matter how long you breastfeed, every drop counts. 🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

Every day is a new day 💞
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Therapeutic ultrasound is a simple non invasive procedure that can reduce pain and swelling while promoting healing. 😌💖

We now offer therapeutic ultrasound in office and in home. Call to book your appointment. 📲🗓️

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I have a dedicated business line now! Don't worry, the other number still exists. 😉

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Serenity Lactation and Wellness updated their phone number.

When used with timing and intention, pacifiers can be a useful tool! 🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

The Academy of Breastfeeding has updated its protocol for the management of mastitis. While they are recommending a more scaled-back, conservative approach (versus jumping immediately to antibiotics) that doesn't mean you should go it alone if you suspect you have mastitis. Work closely with your lactation professional and provider to find and treat the *underlying cause* of your mastitis symptoms. 🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

😂 becoming fluent in my toddler's language should come with a graduation ceremony or something! 🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

wouldn't trade it for anything! Lego injuries and all 😆🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

Buckle up! This is a long one. But it's important, so read on:

Studies show that up to 75% of families bed-share with their infants at some point, including families who didn't plan to. Infancy can be a tiring period, so why not set yourself up for safety in the event that co-sleeping/bed-sharing with your infant becomes your choice, whether temporarily or for the long term.

1) Baby should be full-term (greater than 37 weeks) and healthy.

2) One of the largest case-control studies of SIDS determined that exclusive breastfeeding at one month decreased the risk of SIDS by 50%. This has to do with both the overall health-protective effects of breastfeeding and the position breastfeeding dyads are prone to sleep in (baby at the level of the breast, vs. up near the head, where pillows are).

3) Baby should have no regular exposure to cigarette smoke and the lactating parent, for sure, should be a non-smoker. Avoid 3rd hand exposure to cigarette smoke as well.

4) Anyone in the bed with Baby should be fully sober and not have taken any medications that cause drowsiness. Consider allergy meds, anxiety meds, etc.

5) Baby should sleep on their back, not on their stomach or propped on their side.

6) Baby should be UNSWADDLED if co-sleeping, and not over-dressed in multiple layers.

7) Co-sleeping/bed-sharing should only happen in a bed. It is actually more risky to co-sleep with your baby on a sofa or in a chair. This bed should be firm, without excess pillows and blankets. That means, dress yourself appropriately so you don't feel the need to have heavy blankets.

8) No pets or children in the bed.

If you have more questions about safe sleeping, co-sleeping or otherwise, I'm happy to share resources. Or schedule a sleep coaching call!

pumping is hard work! 🤰🤱👩🍼😴💜

**FICTION**
The NUMBER ONE rule of infant feeding is: FEED YOUR BABY!! If your baby can't or won't latch, they need to eat somehow. We're growing brains here! Using a spoon, cup, or syringe is reasonable in the first few days. But when your baby starts needing more quantity, these feeding methods can be less sustainable. Also, sucking uses a lot of muscles and requires coordination! If we deprive our babies of the opportunity to suck because we are afraid of bottles, we may perpetuate latching difficulties due to a simple lack of exposure and practice. Using the right bottle ni**le shape, ni**le flow, and feeding positions can help prevent bottle preference. We can work together to find what is best for your baby and make sure we protect your milk supply! 💞🤰🤱👩🍼😴💜

Don't come at me! I said *may* not... 😬
If you NEED a pump to establish or maintain your supply, especially in the early days, a wearable is likely not your best bet. My recommendation is always to get a "tried and true" pump through your insurance, your baby registry, or your own investment, like a Spectra or Motif. If you have the budget, splurge on a wearable to incorporate into your routine. There are lots of ways to make pumping more comfortable and hands-free! We can work on a sustainable pumping setup together. 💞🤰🤱👩🍼😴💜

The Academy of Breastfeeding has updated its protocol on management of mastitis. While they are recommending a more scaled-back, conservative approach (versus jumping to immediately to antibiotics) that doesn't mean you should go it alone if you suspect you have mastitis. Work closely with your lactation professional and provider to find and treat the *underlying cause* of your mastitis symptoms. 🤰🤱👩‍🍼😴💜

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Oxytocin is responsible for the "milk ejection reflex," aka letdown. Some can feel their letdown, and others can't.

Oxytocin is also known as the "love hormone" and promotes bonding.

Your baby's intake can vary throughout the day. Some of this is determined by your supply (which is naturally higher in the morning and lower in the later afternoon/evening), and some of this is determined by your baby's mood. But, on average, babies drink about 1-1.5oz of milk per hour since their last feed (once they are beyond the very early newborn period).