Amys Lactation Consulting

03/29/2024

Looking forward to attending the GOLD Lactation Online Conference and hearing some of the latest and greatest breastfeeding/chestfeeding info :)

11/03/2021

05/09/2021

Happy Mothers Day to all those amazing mommas out there!

11/06/2020

Did you know that partner support and attitude towards breastfeeding greatly affects breastfeeding rates and duration!? 🤱 Include your partner in discussions about breastfeeding and make sure they also receive education on its many benefits! (😉 It can also be helpful to give moms or mother in laws or any other important supports up to date information as well)

11/04/2020

A cup is a great way to avoid artificial ni***es, especially in the first few days and/or if baby is having latching issues. It is easy to do, even for a newborn, and when done properly research shows it causes less desaturations (drops in baby’s oxygen levels) and less choking episodes then a bottle!

10/07/2020

Controversial topic today, Ni**le Shields! Ni**le shields have come along way but over use is still a problem. Not all babies will figure out how to latch right away and that’s okay (we have hand expression for that 😉) this does not always mean a shield needs to be used. If deciding to use a shield make sure you are being assessed by someone with breastfeeding knowledge and have appropriate size and fit. Your baby should be watched more closely for good latch (I often see the second picture with shields), adequate milk transfer, and weight gain. Stimulation is not always enough with a shield and many will have to pump for about 5 min after feeds to insure supply. If given a shield there should always be a follow-up plan and a plan to wean from the shield whenever possible!! ***eshield . Pic retrieved from: the Breastfeeding Atlas, sixth edition, by Wilson-clay and Hoover

10/06/2020

My post today for breastfeeding week is how others can help support breastfeeding families. In British Columbia it is law that families have the right to feed their babies anytime anywhere that being said it can still feel awkward for some moms and like it isn’t always fully supported or wanted. Below is a link about what you can do to help support families. http://www.perinatalservicesbc.ca/Documents/Resources/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding%20Welcome%20Tip%20Sheet_PRINT.pdf.

10/06/2020

My tip for today, when facing breastfeeding challenges set small, short term goals and be kind to yourself! Reach out, talk to other moms going through similar experiences it can be therapeutic. There was moments (like these ^^) that I loved but my overall experience in the beginning was not what I thought it was going to be like. It was hard and exhausting at times and didn’t come without it’s challenges. I remember telling myself over and over just make it to six months. But things got easier and I’m so happy I kept going and got to enjoy the breastfeeding experience.

10/04/2020

This! Because we are mammals that walk on two feet our pelvis’s are smaller and our babies brains do a lot of their growing outside of the womb, skin-to-skin and baby carrying help brain development!

10/04/2020

For today’s breastfeeding week post sharing a resource for families I received from Comox Valley Public Health that I believe came from Perinatal services BC and the BC Baby-Friendly Network

https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/health-promotion/childhood-adolescence/stages-childhood/infancy-birth-two-years/valuable-tips-successful-breastfeeding-eng.pdf

10/03/2020

Why? I once read up to 30% of babies who go on to breast feed are unable to latch in the first day or are unable to latch each try. Breastfeeding is a learning experience and attempts should only last 10-15 min, especially if baby is getting frustrated. Hand-expressing in the first 24 hours allows you to supply your baby with colostrum if an attempt at a feed doesn’t work out and also helps stimulate your breasts which helps bring in your milk and establish your supply!

10/02/2020

Fiction! Latch can be painful when mom and baby are learning and it isn’t quite right but with the right position, technique, and effective latch sore ni***es and especially break down shouldn’t happen!

10/01/2020

Did you know that being skin-to-skin with your baby not only improves your milk production but it also helps your baby maintain their blood sugars and body temperature (your body can actually increase or decrease its own body temperature for baby), stabilizes their heart rate, respiratory rate, & blood pressure, all while improving their brain development and brain function!

09/30/2020

Happy Canadian Breastfeeding week to all the breastfeeding, chestfeeding, SNS feeding, and pumping mommas out there! It’s not always easy so hats off to you! 😊 In lieu of breastfeeding week I’ll be posting a tip or fact each day, if you have any topics your curious about let me know! . Pic retrieved from: https://www.lllc.ca/news/world-breastfeeding-week

09/29/2020

A friend recently reminded me of these amazingly yummy lactation cookies. The flax, brewers yeast, and oats are the ingredients supposed to help increase supply. Whether or not these cookies truly work they are delicious and best part you can label them ‘lactation cookies’ and partners will usually stay away 😉

06/03/2020

Retrieved from the ILCA

https://lactationmatters.org/2020/06/02/ilca-statement-in-support-of-black-families-in-the-united-states/

05/29/2020

I can’t recommend enough doing some sort of breastfeeding education pre baby, whether it’s watching your peers, doing your own research or taking a prenatal breastfeeding class.

(I’ll link a good video on laid back nursing if you’re interested 😊)

05/25/2020

Hi, my name is Amy Woods and I am very excited to announce I will now be offering Lactation Consulting here in the Comox Valley. I have been providing breastfeeding support for 7 years and have just completed more training and wrote my International Board Certified Lactation Consulting Exam in October 2019 and am now a Certified Lactation Consultant. I offer both prenatal and postnatal education and support. Please feel free to contact me If you're having challenges with breastfeeding/chestfeeding/pumping, or just want some extra support and education or if you are interested in learning more prior to baby's arrival🙂.

Email is my preferred contact --> amywoodsLC@protonmail.com

My hours of availability change from week to week as I work part-time as a registered nurse but I will do my best to find the availability that works for you and your family. Opening during covid-19 makes things a bit more interesting. At this moment, I am currently offering support via phone, email, and whatever video system works best for you. I will be looking into what in-person home visits will look like for me in the very near future. Thank you for your understanding during these ever changing times.