Breast to Table

01/22/2025

The pump doesn’t tell us the whole story. Of course, this is different if you exclusively pump, and there are ways we can optimize your pumping output. Still, the amount you pump depends on a lot of factors including the kind of pump you have and its strength, fl**ge fit, how old your pump is, and pump parts and wear. Wearable pumps are generally not as efficient as electric pumps, which is why we don’t recommend them if you plan to rely on them to protect supply. They can be great for occasional use. Too small or too large of fl**ges will also impact how well milk is removed, and pump parts do need to be replaced, with the membranes and duck bills often being the parts that need most frequent replacement (about every few months if pumping regularly). Also keep in mind, some women are more responsive to a pump than others. Finding a lactation consultant to help you figure out the best pump for you, how to pump effectively, measure for fl**ge fit, and support you through your pumping and/or breastfeeding goals is crucial!

01/09/2025

Bottle refusal can be really stressful for parents. The majority of my clients want to bottle feed at some point, along with breastfeeding. Wondering if your baby is eating makes any outing, not to mention going to work, just completely anxiety-ridden. There are some things we can do. Keep in mind that bottle refusal and breastfeeding struggles are often symptoms and it’s important to find a provider that is going to help you find the root cause so we can address from there.
Tips for bottle refusal:
-Adjust when we offer. Try offering when baby is not super hungry. Try offering when they’re a little sleepy or calm, or playful.
-Adjust who offers. Sometimes baby will accept a bottle more willingly from someone besides Mom if mom is breastfeeding. Babies are smart. But this can be okay as often we want them to take a bottle so mom can be away for a minute or have a break. So let dad give it a try.
-Adjust bottle ni**le. Often times long, straight ni**les rather than shorter flatter ni**les are better accepted as they can help trigger that suck reflex in younger infants. Play around with different flows and see it this makes a difference as well. Start with a slow flow ni**le to mimic the action baby has to do at the breast. However, if you have a fast let-down, baby may prefer a bit of a faster ni**le size.
-Adjust the milk. Trial freshly expressed vs. refrigerated vs. frozen. Sometimes thawed frozen milk can have a different taste that some babies don’t like (there are tricks for this if this is the case). Sometimes there is a temperature they prefer so trial warm, room temperature and cool.

Remember, in a pinch, we can also feed with methods other than a bottle such as a cup or spoon. An IBCLC can assess functionality at the bottle and provide further individualized recommendations.

01/04/2025

Any meal can be made baby-friendly with the exception of some foods. Here is a Mediterranean chicken bowl using rice, marinated chicken, homemade tzatziki sauce, cucumber tomato salad.

For 6 month old:
-offer chicken pieces large enough to grasp with their palm
-no cherry tomatoes until 8-10 months when they start developing the pincer grasp and then you can quarter the tomatoes
-I didn’t do it here but you could offer cucumbers is strips large enough to grasp with their palm, skin removed
-keep in mind the tzatziki sauce is made with Greek yogurt, which is an allergen.

10/28/2024

Along with Aetna, United Health Care, and all plans in lactation network! Reach out to see if you’re covered for 100% of in-home lactation support!

10/17/2023

If your baby eats frequently and wants to be held all the time, they are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do. Feeding every 2-3 hours is expected and as long as growth is good, supply is good and baby is overall content there is no need to worry. And if they seem most content on you…that’s normal too. We are carry mammals, meant to be near and in close contact with our babies.

10/03/2023

Tandem nursing is something I get questions about, yet there’s limited information. As a tandem nursing mama of nearly 2 years, I decided to write a bit about this experience, to hopefully shed some light on the realities of nursing two babies, and make it feel more attainable if that’s a journey you hope to embark upon.

Read here or at the link in the bio

https://www.breast2table.com/blog/a-few-thoughts-on-tandem-nursing

Tandem nursing, tandem breastfeeding, breastfeeding multiples, breastfeeding toddler and newborn, motherhood

05/20/2023

05/18/2023

Mediterranean Chicken Bowls made with marinated chicken, quinoa, marinated tomatoes and cucumbers, hummus, and fresh mozzarella. Healthy meals don’t need to be complicated. I love this recipe and the quinoa and chicken can be batch-cooked ahead of time. This meal is full of fiber, healthy fats and lean protein- great for stabilizing blood sugar levels and keeping you full and energized. It also clocks in at right around $3 per serving. And disassembled all of this is baby led feeding friendly. Visit www.breast2table.com to sign up for personalized meal planning!

04/06/2023

Babies can be prone to what we call a "leaky gut." This means that their intestinal wall be permeable and lead to small particles of food "leaking" into the bloodstream. This in turn, can trigger an immune response that can result in things like food sensitivity symptoms which can range from mild rashes that occur 2+ hours to 3 days after a food is given, to gastrointestinal symptoms, sinus congestion, and eczema. Often times, when a baby presents with these types of things we want to treat the symptom - steroids for the eczema, etc. But often, the symptoms won't completely alleviate until we address the internal cause. And this includes strengthening their little digestive system so they can better digest and absorb nutrients. I recommend the following for gut support. After all, our gut makes up a huge part of our immune system so we want this to be strong in our little ones. For a baby who has started solids there are a variety of ways we can introduce fermented foods, bone, broth, gelatin, and specific amino acids like glutamine, which support collagen synthesis and tissue integrity. Reach out for a 1:1 consult for more information. And keep in mind, that we want to support both mom and baby - especially if you are a breastfeeding mama. So these foods can help support your digestive health, immune system, and microbiome as well.

03/22/2023

I much prefer the term “baby-led feeding” to “baby-led weaning.” Breastfeeding and solids are not mutually exclusive. 💜