Cooper County WIC

02/02/2026

Breast size has nothing to do with pump fl**ge size.

None. Zero. Not even a little.

Somehow some still think that cup size determines fl**ge size, and it’s caused so much unnecessary pain, low output, and self-doubt. Your breasts can be large, small, uneven, full, soft. None of that tells us what fl**ge you need.

What Actually Determines Fl**ge Size

Pump fl**ge fit is about the ni**le, not the breast.
Specifically:
•The diameter of the base of the ni**le
•The diameter of the ni**le tip
•How the ni**le moves dynamically during pumping

This is the foundation of the FITS protocol developed by Jeanette Frem: a more accurate, more humane way of fitting pumping parents.

Instead of guessing based on breast size or handing out one or two standard fl**ges, FITS looks at how your ni**le behaves under suction, not just how it looks at rest.
The goal of a fl**ge is not just “milk comes out.”
It matters:
•How the pump feels on your body
•Whether pumping causes pain, blanching, or swelling
•How efficiently milk is being moved
•Whether pumping feels sustainable long-term

A good fit supports milk flow without trauma.
What Proper Fl**ge Fit Looks Like
•Only the ni**le should be moving in the tunnel
•Minimal to no ar**la should be pulled in
•The ni**le should move freely, not rub, swell excessively, or turn white
•Pumping should feel effective and tolerable

When too much ar**la is being pulled into the tunnel, it can:
•Restrict milk flow
•Cause swelling that makes output worse over time
•Increase pain and inflammation
•Lead parents to believe they have “low supply” when the issue is mechanical

Fl**ge sizing is not about how big your breasts are.
It’s about how your ni**le interacts with the pump.

Comfort matters. Efficiency matters. Long-term tissue health matters.

And if pumping feels awful or unproductive, that’s not a personal failure. iIt’s a signal that something may need adjusting.

You deserve pumping equipment that works with your body, not against it 💛

02/01/2026

You’ve were probably told
👉 “Feed your newborn every 3 hours.”

The reality is every 3 hours is the MINIMUM, Not the maximum. Not a rule that says you should make your baby wait. You should NOT be making baby wait 3 hours if they’re waking up hungry at hour 2 or every after and hour and a half.

👶 Newborns eat often. Very often.
They cluster feed. They snack. They binge. They change their minds. They are growing at lightning speed and figuring out how this whole feeding thing works.

🧠 Neurologically… they’re brand new.
Your baby is still immature and learning hunger and fullness cues. Sometimes they honestly act like they’re still attached to the umbilical cord and haven’t fully realized they’ve been born yet.

🤍 Early on, we often need to help babies learn how to eat and how their own body works
That can mean:
•Offering feeds before they cry
•Gently waking them if they’re very sleepy
•Not waiting for “perfect” hunger cues
•Monitoring their diaper output and their weight
•Ensuring they have a pain free latch

Once feeding is well established, baby has:
•Regained birth weight
•Is feeding effectively
•Is waking more reliably on their own
THEN we can start letting them lead more and wake when hungry. This can happen within a week or two or may take 6-8 weeks or longer if they were premature. Until then, frequent feeding isn’t spoiling or overfeeding. Your newborn isn’t doing anything wrong if they want to eat every hour or two. It’s biology. It’s learning. It’s newborn life. If your baby is wanting to feed ALL the time with no breaks, is not gaining weight or peeing/pooping as expected or the latch is painful, seek lactation help immediately.

01/29/2026

I absolutely love sharing this client’s story. It’s one I come back to again and again when I’m talking with other moms, because it’s such a powerful reminder that you are not alone in this journey.

As your WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, and with the support of our on-staff IBCLC, our goal is simple: to help you reach whatever feeding goal you set for yourself. Big or small, exclusive pumping, breastfeeding, combo feeding… it all matters, and you matter.

We truly are your support team. So when we say, “Please reach out when you’re struggling,” we mean it…day or night. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation, one person reminding you that you can do this.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or ready to quit, please don’t do it alone. We’re here for you, cheering you on every step of the way. 💕

01/29/2026

01/28/2026

Ever wonder why some parents pump 5oz per session while others get 2oz and still make plenty of milk? Or why one person’s baby nurses every 2 hours while another’s sleeps longer stretches? Breast milk storage capacity might be the answer!

What Is Breast Milk Storage Capacity?
It’s how much milk your breasts can hold between feedings. And here’s the kicker: it has NOTHING to do with breast size. Big breasts don’t automatically mean big capacity, and small breasts don’t guarantee small capacity. It’s all about internal milk-making structures, not cup size

🤯 Why It Matters:
•Large capacity: Longer stretches between feeds or bigger pumping sessions
•Smaller capacity: More frequent feeds or smaller pump volumes, but still just as capable of meeting baby’s needs!

No storage capacity is “better”! Your body and baby adapt to the pattern that works best for you

The “Magic Number” helps figure out how many times you need to remove milk (nursing/pumping) to maintain supply. For most it’s around 8 (every 2-4 hours). It could be as high as 11-16 or as low as 4-5. These are averages

🌟 The Magic Number
Once supply is established around 3-4 months, some moms will try to do more scheduled feedings or pump sessions.
•Feed or pump more than your magic number? You might build supply or trigger an oversupply
•Fewer than your magic number? Milk supply may gradually decrease unless you have a larger storage capacity
•Stick to your magic number? Supply maintains

🕵️ How to Know Your Capacity:
•After supply has regulated (around 2-4 months) and when you have gone about 4 hours without feeding, pump both breasts to see how much you collect. You need a quality pump with the correct size fl**ges to do this
•Full breasts ≠ max capacity, but it’s a helpful snapshot.
💡 If you pump 3oz or less: Smaller capacity, more frequent milk removal is needed, 10+ in 24 hours
💡 Pump 4–6oz: Moderate capacity: 6-9 milk removals
💡 Pump 7oz+: Larger capacity: may get away with fewer sessions while maintaining supply, 4-6 depending on you body

01/27/2026

01/27/2026

A temporary supply dip can happen when you’re sick. To help prevent it:
✨ Hydration + nourishment first. Fever, congestion, and reduced appetite can lead to dehydration fast. Sip fluids consistently and aim for easy, nutrient-dense foods (soups, smoothies, broths, protein + carbs)

😴 Rest whenever possible. Your body needs energy to recover and make milk. Lower expectations and accept help if you can

🍼 Keep milk removal consistent. Continue breastfeeding or pumping. If you feel miserable, even a few minutes of hand expression or a quick manual pump session helps signal your body to keep producing

👶 Keep baby close. Skin-to-skin and frequent nursing are powerful supply protectors. If you notice a dip and you’re up for it, add a short pump session

💊 Be mindful with medications. Most common cold/flu meds are compatible with breastfeeding, but some (especially decongestants like pseudoephedrine) can reduce milk supply. Always choose breastfeeding-safe options and double-check with an IBCLC or trusted resource.
• Fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally considered safe.
• Many cough suppressants and antihistamines are compatible, but may cause drowsiness for you or baby and a temporary dip in supply
• Herbal supplements marketed for colds aren’t always well-studied. “Natural” doesn’t always mean safe for lactation or supply
🧴 Supplements & supply: If your supply dips, focus first on milk removal, hydration, and rest. Galactagogues may help some parents, but they’re not magic and should be used thoughtfully

🔁 Once you’re feeling better: Add a few extra feeds or pump sessions for a couple of days if needed. Your body is incredibly responsive

💛 Do not stop breastfeeding because you’re sick. Your milk is safe for your baby and it’s packed with antibodies tailored to the illness you’re fighting

If you’ve experienced a supply dip while sick, you’re not alone. Have you been through this before?

01/26/2026

01/26/2026

Office closed tomorrow!

If you had an appointment, you should have been contacted for rescheduling.

Stay Warm and see you Tuesday! ❄️

❄️Office Closure Notice❄️

The Cooper County Public Health Center will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, due to road condtions and cold temperatures.

We will reopen on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with regular hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Thank you for the consideration for the safety of our employees and community members. Stay safe and warm!

01/20/2026

01/12/2026

The best latch advice I can give is this: you are always allowed to unlatch and relatch your baby. 💛
So many parents think once baby is on, they have to just “push through” discomfort or pain. That idea gets handed down like a rite of passage, but it is not grounded in good lactation care. Pain is information. A latch that hurts is often a latch that is shallow, crooked, or just not quite right for that moment. Gently breaking the seal with a clean finger and trying again is not a failure. It is skilled, responsive feeding. Babies are learning too, and learning involves do-overs.

Unlatching teaches both of you what does feel better. Over time, your baby starts to find the breast more efficiently, and your body stays protected from cracks, blisters, and dread. A comfortable latch supports better milk transfer, more relaxed feeding, and a calmer nervous system for both of you. You are not being picky or dramatic by prioritizing comfort. You are being wise. If it still hurts after a few tries, that is your cue to reach out for support. Feeding your baby should not require gritting your teeth. You deserve comfort, confidence, and care right alongside your baby.

01/11/2026

Breast milk is NOT made directly from your stomach contents but within the breast itself from your blood. The foods you eat are broken down in your digestive system. Proteins, carbs, vitamins, white blood cells, enzymes, pre- and probiotics, water, fat, and chemicals (alcohol, caffeine, medications) are pulled from your intestines into the blood stream. Blood delivers these nutrients to the milk making glands in the breast. Every nutrient you consume gets used or stored and each type gets cleared from your blood in a certain amount of time. Cow protein, for example, is completely cleared from your blood steam within 8-12 HOURS of consumption. So it is completely eliminated in no more than 24 hours from your milk. Not weeks like some people are told when doing elimination diets. Caffeine clears your blood in 4-7 hours and alcohol within 2. Medications have longer or shorter half lives, which is how long they stay in your body, and larger or smaller molecules. Some can pass into breast milk and some can’t.

⚔️MYTH: Digestive discomfort and reflux is always from eating dairy
💡FACT: Cow milk protein allergy is only in 2-7% of the people. Digestive discomfort/reflux are more commonly caused by unidentified tongue ties

⚔️MYTH: Spicy food makes spicy breastmilk which will upset baby’s tummy
💡FACT: While the foods you eat can change the flavor of your milk, there is no evidence that capsaicin (the compound that makes foods spicy) is ever present in breast milk

⚔️MYTH: Beans, cabbage, broccoli, etc give baby gas
💡FACT: The insolvable fiber found in vegetables mixes with your gut bacteria and makes you gassy. Insoluble fiber does not leave the GI tract and cannot reach your milk

⚔️MYTH: Baby will refuse your milk if you eat garlic or other potent flavors
💡FACT: Research studies have found babies actually prefer the flavor of garlic in breastmilk and will spent more time at the breast and drink more milk. (Mennella, 1993)

⚔️MYTH: Soda and other carbonated beverages will make baby gassy
💡FACT: Carbonated drinks don’t carbonate the blood. The bubbles don’t get into your milk

What’s your favorite food and breastfeeding myth?