Dra. Paola Vallarino IBCLC - Lactancia Y Nutrición Infantil

04/26/2026

Cluster feeding can feel like something is wrong… but most of the time, it’s actually a normal and important part of breastfeeding.

Here’s how to tell the difference 👇

✨ When cluster feeding is NORMAL:

💛 Baby wants to feed very frequently for a few hours
💛 Common in the early weeks or during growth spurts (often around 3, 6 and 12 weeks)
💛 Often happens in the evening (“witching hours”)
💛 Baby seems satisfied after feeds (even if briefly)
💛 You can hear or see swallowing during feeds
💛 Diapers are on track (wet + stools depending on age)
💛 Baby is gaining weight appropriately

👉 What’s happening: your baby is stimulating your supply and regulating your milk production. Your body and your baby are learning each other.

🚩 When cluster feeding might NOT be the whole story:

💛 Baby feeds constantly but rarely seems satisfied
💛 You barely see/hear swallowing or milk transfer is unclear
💛 Pain with feeds (this is a big one, don’t ignore it)
💛 Poor latch, slipping off, clicking sounds
💛 Low diaper output
💛 Slow or poor weight gain
⚠️ MOST IMPORTANTLY: Feeds feel chaotic, stressful, or something just feels “off”

👉 In these cases, it’s not just cluster feeding, you may need support to assess latch, milk transfer, or supply.

🥰 From a mom + lactation doctor:
Cluster feeding is exhausting, but it shouldn’t feel confusing, painful, or like you’re failing.

You don’t need to “just push through.”
You deserve to *understand* what’s happening.

And if something feels off, trust that instinct, support can change everything. 🥰 💪🏼

12/18/2025

🌟 Big News! 🌟

I’m honoured to share that I’ve been accepted into the LILAC Fellowship — a 2-year advanced training in Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine with the University of Rochester Medical Center! 👩🏻‍⚕️✨

This fellowship equips clinicians to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care in lactation medicine - and I couldn’t be more excited to grow, learn, and bring that expertise back to the families I serve. 💛

Thank you to my amazing mentor, Dr. Mariana Colmenares, who will be guiding me through this journey 🤩🙏🏼

I’ll be on maternity leave starting in February and will have limited in-person availability, but I’ve trained my team to continue delivering the excellent care you trust - and I’ll still be here virtually for a limited number of families. 👩🏻‍💻🤰🏻👶🏻🩵

Thank you for your support - we’re here for you and your baby every step of the way! 🥰

Paola 🫶🏻

12/12/2025

Our hearts are full. 💛

Please join us in celebrating three incredible graduates of our Clinical Mentorship Program who have officially passed the IBLCE exam and earned the title of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

To our graduates:

You balanced clinical training, coursework, work schedules, and motherhood.

You showed immense dedication and compassion.

You held space for families while doing the deep work of becoming the highest-credentialed professionals in lactation care.

And you did it with grace, humility, and heart.

We admire you more than words can say.

For those new to the term:

An IBCLC is a specialized healthcare provider rigorously trained in the clinical management of breastfeeding and human lactation. This certification requires extensive hands-on experience, scientific education, and passing a global board exam. It is considered the gold standard for professionals supporting breastfeeding families.

At Mamas Au Lait, we are honored to mentor and work alongside both certified IBCLCs and those training toward certification. Watching our mentees grow into confident, skilled, compassionate clinicians is one of the greatest joys of our work.

To our newest IBCLCs - we are so proud of you.
Your patients are lucky to have you. 🌿🤍

✨ Want to become an IBCLC?

Our Online Advanced Lactation Program is open year-round and can be started anytime.

Graduates of the online program receive priority access to our Clinical Mentorship Program, which currently holds a waitlist for 2026–2027.

Your journey to becoming an IBCLC can start today. ✨

Visit our website to learn more. 👩🏻‍⚕️ 📚

www.mamasaulait.com

11/05/2025

✨ From bottles and ni**le pain to a beautiful breastfeeding journey! ✨

So proud of baby Elena and her amazing parents! 💕 From low milk supply, a painful latch and exclusive bottle feeding — to exclusive breastfeeding and thriving!

Together - with her amazing parents’ dedication, the help of our wonderful interns, and a lot of love and patience (plus a little help from bodywork, the SNS, pumping support, oral habilitation, addressing tethered oral tissues & more), they did it! 🍼➡️🤱

Watching them grow and being able to finally discharge them with full hearts has been such a joy. 🥹

We’re cheering them on for a long, happy breastfeeding journey. 💛

To all the families out there: trust your instincts, lean on each other, and remember - you don’t have to navigate feeding challenges alone.

We’re here for you through every stage: from newborn feeding to sleep transitions, introducing solids toddler nursing, weaning, and beyond. 🌿

Reach out and book with us. Together, we’ll find your rhythm. 🫶🏻

——

✨ De biberones y dolor al amamantar, a una lactancia hermosa ✨

¡Tan orgullosa de la bebé Elena y sus increíbles papás! 💕 Pasaron de una baja producción de leche, dolor al amamantar y alimentación exclusiva con biberón — a lactancia exclusiva y felices!

Con mucho trabajo en equipo, paciencia y amor (y un poco de apoyo con optimización de extracciones, terapia oral motora, cuidado de pezones y más) ¡lo lograron! 🍼➡️🤱

Les deseamos una larga y feliz etapa de lactancia. Verlos crecer y poder darles el alta con el corazón lleno ha sido una gran alegría. 💛

A todas las familias: confíen en su instinto, apóyense mutuamente y recuerden que no están solas. Estamos aquí para acompañarlas en cada etapa. 🫶🏻

11/04/2025

From mentee to patient… and now teammate! 🫶🏻

This photo was taken the day Alicia celebrated one year of breastfeeding her second son — such a beautiful milestone filled with love and perseverance. 💛

Now, after completing our Clinical Mentorship Program, Alicia is officially part of our team — a graduate professional already helping families on their own breastfeeding journeys. So proud of you and all you’ve accomplished! ✨

💪🏼 It wasn’t easy, but you did it — and your story keeps inspiring moms everywhere.

➡️ Our Clinical Mentorship is fully booked for the year, but you can join the waiting list and start with the Online Advanced Lactation Program, prioritized for future mentorships.

Let’s keep growing professionals who make a difference. 💛

——

De interna a paciente… ¡y ahora compañera de equipo! 🫶🏻

Esta foto fue tomada el día que Alicia celebró un año de lactancia con su segundo hijo, un logro lleno de amor, esfuerzo y constancia. 💛

Hoy, después de completar nuestro Programa de Mentoría Clínica, Alicia ya es parte del equipo — una profesional que acompaña a muchas familias en sus propias historias de lactancia. ¡Qué orgullo verte crecer y brillar así! ✨

💪🏼 ¡Feliz año de lactancia! No fue fácil, pero lo lograste — y tu experiencia seguirá inspirando a muchas mamás.

➡️ Nuestra Mentoría Clínica está llena por este año, pero puedes unirte a la lista de espera y comenzar con el Programa Online Avanzado en Lactancia, prioridad para futuras mentorías.

Sigamos formando profesionales que cambian vidas. 💛

11/03/2025

Watch your baby, not the clock. 👶🏻 ⏰

Your newborn doesn’t know what time it is — and that’s okay! Most babies feed every 2–3 hours, but what really matters is feeding on demand.

Those early cues — rooting, squirming, hand-to-mouth — are your baby’s way of communicating hunger before the tears start. 💛

Every baby (and every day) looks a little different, and that’s perfectly okay. 💕

Trust your instincts, trust your baby, and if you’re feeling unsure, we’re here to guide you.

If you’re unsure what’s normal or need help figuring out your baby’s feeding rhythm, we’re here to help.

🤱 Book a consult with us anytime — you’ve got this, and we’ve got you. 🥰

10/13/2025

Nuestro bebé arcoiris 🌈✨

16 semanas para conocerte 🥹 can’t wait 💛

Scrubs don’t fit anymore — leggings to the rescue! 🤣

08/07/2025