Chelsea Clark, RN, IBCLC

20/11/2025

Some general breastfeeding reminders:
👉🏼Breasts are not supposed to stay engorged
👉🏼The feeling of fullness between feedings goes away
👉🏼Babies become more efficient feeders with time, so a 3 month old may only feed for 5 minutes and still get a full feeding even if they fed for 30 as a newborn
👉🏼Every feeding can be a different length
👉🏼This is eating. Some times we want a snack. Sometimes we want a meal. Some times we just need to quench our thirst. Some times we just want a treat. Same goes at the breast.
👉🏼Some leak, some don’t. Leaking is not an indication of supply. Many stop leaking when supply regultes. Some continue to leak longer.
👉🏼Not everyone feels their let down. Some stop feeling their let down with time.
👉🏼Your body changes its milk based on how its emptied from the breast. Milk that’s emptied around the clock is balanced nutritionally for a newborn. Milk that’s emptied only a few times a day will be perfect for an older infant
👉🏼Pumping is never an indication of supply
👉🏼You can NEVER empty the breast. It constantly makes milk. It takes at least 40 days of no stimulation for the breast to stop making milk
👉🏼Nipple damage is not normal. It is always a sign of something: shallow latch. Tongue tie. Wrong size fl**ge.
👉🏼Every baby feeds differently
👉🏼You are an amazing mom
👉🏼You are doing a wonderful job
when

15/11/2025

. Read the editorial by JHL's Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Ellen Chetwynd, PhD, MPH, BSN, IBCLC: "The 4-Year Question: Optics, Ethical Clarity, and the Future of Lactation Research in Times of Upheaval"
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08903344251387116

06/11/2025

A new review of outpatient US clinics confirms what NLCA has long advocated: when parents have access to International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), breastfeeding rates go up- both how exclusively babies are fed breastmilk and how long breastfeeding continues. This holds true across different settings: urban, rural, high-income, low-income. Let’s work together to make IBCLC care accessible for all postpartum families.

More info: https://bioengineer.org/impact-of-certified-lactation-consultants-in-us-clinics/, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-025-02425-8

06/11/2025

WIC is open during the government shutdown 💙

WIC offers a wide variety of referrals and resources.

15/10/2025

Ireland’s breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in the world. However, this 2025 retrospective cohort study found that simply learning and practicing hand expression in the last month of a low-risk pregnancy resulted in more mothers starting and continuing breastfeeding. Read about it here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613825003419?via%3Dihub

26/11/2023

Unfortunately, in our profession, the term "lactation consultant" is used broadly to describe anyone who "helps moms with breastfeeding."

Support is certainly needed in all settings and at different levels, but it is important to know the distinctions that exist.

As you are searching for answers or referring others to a "lactation consultant", take a look at their credentials to determine what kind of help is the best fit for the situation.

Here are some titles you might see associated with each group:

Peer Supporter: BCBC, BC USA, HC One, LLL, Rose CT, WIC BFPC
Breastfeeding Educator: BEC, CBE, CLE, CLEC, LEC
Lactation Counselor: ALC, ANLC, BC, CBS, CLC, CLS
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant: IBCLC

Hope this helps!

05/10/2023

Very exciting news for pregnant people with VT Medicaid! 😊🤍

10/08/2023

There is a comment period for the proposed breast pump policy change (increasing access!) if you would like to submit a comment:

https://humanservices.vermont.gov/sites/ahsnew/files/doc_library/23-074-P-GCR-Expanded-Breast-Pump-Coverage.pdf

Please share widely!

In gratitude,

Chelsea

01/03/2023

Happy IBCLC Day!

04/07/2022

23/06/2022

We know more about cow’s milk than human milk. But new research about the makeup of breast milk and the factors influencing its production could change the lives of millions.

16/05/2022

Unfortunately there is a formula shortage in the US right now and VT families are affected. This can be very scary for families, if you have the means to donate please do. Due to shortages some families are not able to find formula covered by WIC and have to pay out of pocket. For some families this can mean choosing formula over food for the rest of their family. No family should ever be in that position.

Here are some tips:

For most babies it is ok to change to any available formula, including store brand. No need to slowly change formulas, a hard switch is ok. Most babies tolerate this change easily, some may have gassiness or p**p changes with a brand change. Call us to discuss comfort measures for your baby.

If your baby is on an extensively hydrated or amino acid formula please talk to us first as there are few alternatives for specialty formulas.

It is ok to use pasteurized donated breastmilk from a donor milk bank such Vermont Donor Milk Center]

DO NOT make your own formula, these are not safe or nutritious

DO NOT dilute or water down formula, this can be very dangerous to babies.

If your baby is close to a year call us to talk about changing to milk or milk alternative. If your child is eating a wide variety of foods and getting iron in their diet this is likely a safe option. Call us to discuss.

Toddler formula is not the same as infant formula. Toddler formula can be a short term option for kids over 9 months if you are unable to find formula.

Donate to your local food bank or Vermont Donor Milk Center if you can