Tracey Carolan IBCLC

03/11/2026

Absolutely False

Parents are told from medical professionals, when their babies are slow to gain weight, that they must just make skim or low fat milk.

Whats really happening is that your baby isnt getting enough milk

Its an easy solution, if your infant isnt gaining weight appropriately, they need more milk. Add an extra nursing session or two. Start pumping more often. Supplement.

You dont need to go onto social media and find all the hacks to make your milk fattier- they dont work and are not needed

If your baby refuses to drink anymore, reach out, theres more going on that should be investigated

03/10/2026

When the doctor asks how many times your baby nurses in a day… and you realize you stopped counting a long time ago.

Breastfeeding doesn’t follow neat equations or tidy schedules. Some days it’s every three hours. Some days it’s every thirty minutes. And sometimes it’s cluster feeds, comfort feeds, growth spurts, and connection all wrapped into one long day.

Babies feed often because their stomachs are small, their needs change quickly, and nursing is about more than milk. It’s nourishment, regulation, comfort, and connection.

So if someone asks you “how many times a day?” and the answer is a laugh… you’re probably doing exactly what your baby needs.

03/10/2026

One of the reasons I like doing home visits is I see what you have.

I snoop through your dish drainer and see a bunch of different pacifiers, or catch a glimpse of a pump in the closet of the bedroom.

Then we discuss.....

Pacifiers have their use but using them properly is key. And ideally you will use the correct shape.

Remember there is no rules in marketing. Anyone can invent anything and sell it.

The pacifier was invented to replace a human ni**le. When inside a babies mouth we want them to use as close to the same functional skills as they would when at the breast.

Tongue comes out, cups the ni**le and baby sucks to keep in in their mouth.

Bulbed tipped soothers or ones that are a different shape are easier for a baby with limited oral function to use as they can easily compensate with their jaw and lips.

I want to know this as it tells us a piece of the puzzle, and then we can help your baby.

03/08/2026

03/07/2026

Around the middle of the first year your baby is going to start paying attention when you eat and drink in front of them.

This is NOT a sign that they should be given solid food. This is a sign that they've started paying close attention and are ready to learn new skills. This usually starts around 4 months

What you really want to watch for is

- A baby that can sit mostly independently. We want their chin off their chest and a good solid posture when sitting up in their high chair

-A baby that has lost their tongue thrust. This is a reflex that babies are born with. A breast or bottle goes in their mouth and they stick out heir tongue to cup the ni**le , seal around it and begin to drink. With solid food this reflex would have the baby spitting everything out of their mouth.

- Good hand to mouth coordination. Even if you are not choosing to do BLW you still want this skill to be developed.

All three skills have been mastered, then your ready to start.

Want to learn more?
I teach a Starting Solids workshop through Ridge Meadows Doula Services, email to find out more www.ridgemeadowsdoula.com

03/06/2026

03/03/2026

As parents/ caregivers, we are the only thing that matters in your child's mind.

They need us for safety, to feel secure and to help regulate their emotions.
They are not able to self sooth till a much older age, so we are the ones to help them relax and fall asleep and then return to sleep when they wake again.

As toddlers and preschoolers night mares begin and the knowledge that the world can be a scary place. You are still who they turn to to keep them safe at 2 am

I know bed sharing on a nightly basis isnt what works for every family, but having a safe place your child can sleep close to you should be part of every families sleep plan.

02/28/2026

I understand that when you have a new born the days tend to blur into one, but most changes shouldn't take weeks and weeks to occur and if your trying to increase supply time really does matter.

Dairy is out of your own body within the day so if it is the reason behind your babies symptoms it should improve quickly.

Are you using the correct pump and fl**ges or is all the pumping your doing even supporting milk production

Many people are told to take herbs but are not given any real support in knowing which ones will work for their individual needs.
Fenugreek is not the cure all for supply

Why keep doing the same thing if its not working.

Reach out, book a consult and lets really make a change.

02/28/2026

02/27/2026

Keeping prolactin high by feeding on demand/ pumping no less than 8 times in 24 hours. Babies have tiny tummies and as your milk supply increases so will their needs.

Not everyone is told that if you supplement you also have to pump to tell your body you need the milk, this is especially important in the first week.
While a long stretch of night time sleep might seem great, it doesnt help with supply. This is a big one and why learning to side lie nurse works so well to help get the rest you need,

Yes I know the Madela Symphony comes with a size 24mm fl**ge, you are NOT a size 24mm, please also purchase smaller fl**ges or all that pumping you are doing might not be helping as much as you think.

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

There are primary and secondary reasons for low milk supply.

Those primary reasons are maternal health related and why I need to know your history.

Unfortunately not every case of low supply can be solved with more pumping and domperidone, though I wish that was the magic cure.