http://www.arlingtonlactation.com/

Susan Howard, IBCLC, Falls Church, VA (2025)

09/03/2025

I only have 12 workshop spots left! 📋

And I also want you to know…

I keep my bottle refusal workshops small for a reason. 🤍

Why?

Because I love to...

❓️Answer your questions

💬Have personalized discussions

🤔Problem solve

🖐Provide hands-on visuals

So, if you love a personalized approach, secure your spot! I'd love to see you Monday 🍼

09/03/2025

There's something beautiful about learning that stays with you...

When Tiffany shared this feedback about "Bottle Skills for the Bottle Refuser," it reminded me why I'm so passionate about creating practical, evidence-based education for lactation professionals.

What strikes me most in this testimonial is that she was immediately able to apply her new knowledge to her practice.

That’s exactly my hope for you. 🤍

Having the tools and knowledge you need, right away.

As IBCLCs, we know that feeding challenges rarely have simple solutions.

When we can collaborate across disciplines and learn new approaches with solid clinical rationale…

We expand our ability to truly help families navigate these complex situations.

The fact that Tiffany found techniques she hadn't encountered before, even with her dual SLP/IBCLC background, speaks to how much we can all continue growing in this field.

Every testimonial like this reminds me that when we invest in learning together, our families benefit from that expanded knowledge and collaboration.

If you've taken one of my courses, I'd love to hear what resonated most with you in the comments 💙

08/29/2025

"Just give it time…” 🍼

Have you heard this bottle refusal advice?

Not only is it frustrating…

Typically, this advice isn’t true or helpful.

Here's what IS helpful to know:

Bottle refusal rarely resolves with patience alone. 🍼🕐

There are typically underlying factors at play…

❌A less than ideal bottle

❌Positioning challenges

❌Poor feeding skills

❌Or even timing and environmental issues

There are so many factors!

But, when we can narrow it down and find the source, you’ll often see much faster improvements.

And believe me, I know how exhausting and stressful bottle refusal can be.

The good news is that with the right approach, most feeding challenges have solutions that don't require months of struggle.

So, if you're dealing with bottle refusal right now, know that you're not alone in this. 🤍

In fact, you should write your biggest bottle refusal struggle in the comments! I’d love to offer any helpful advice.

08/27/2025

Giving your baby an open cup for the first time?…🍶

If so, keep this in mind:

Teaching open cup skills is one of those things that sounds intimidating...

But babies are actually naturals at it! 💧

Many parents tend to overthink it.

We assume babies need to tip their heads back like we do…

And we fear the mess.

But not to worry!

Here's what I've learned that works beautifully:

🍶Fill a small open cup all the way up and place it right on their bottom lip, going from corner to corner.

👶That full cup means they can access the water without any awkward head tilting. And babies will naturally lean forward.

🍽️Around 6 months, when you're starting solids, offering water with meals in this way helps them develop crucial oral motor skills.

💧Plus, they can have up to 4oz of water throughout the day at this age.

↔️Also, when you’re choosing a cup, find one with a wider opening.

This makes all the difference and allows them to develop better drinking skills.

Quite honestly, your baby might surprise you with how quickly they pick this up.

And tell me:

If you've already tried open cup feeding, write out how it went in the comments 💙

08/26/2025

Do you often refer bottle feeding consults out? 🍼

When Amy took my Bottle Skills course, she was doing the exact same thing.

Before the course, Amy found herself referring out bottle feeding consults because she didn't feel equipped to help families navigate these complex situations.

Bottle refusal can be one of the most stressful experiences for parents…

And as IBCLCs, we have the opportunity to be their steady, knowledgeable guide through it.

You are already a capable, knowledgeable IBCLC that families can count on.

And that’s why continuing education is so important.

Continuously updating your knowledge and skill level will allow you to reach more families. 🤍

So, if you've been hesitant to take on bottle feeding cases or want to deepen your expertise in this area…

I'd love to have you join me in the next “Bottle Skills For The Bottle Refuser” course beginning September 8th 🍼

08/18/2025

This needs to be said more often...

Pumping IS breastfeeding. 🍼

I’ve heard moms say they’re "not really breastfeeding" because they're using a pump.

The guilt and comparison is overwhelming. 🫣

So, what I want you to know is...

Your milk is still feeding and nourishing your baby.

You're still doing the work.

You're still breastfeeding.

🛄Maybe you're pumping because you're returning to work.

👶Maybe your baby had feeding challenges early on.

🍼Maybe it's just what works best for your family right now.

Whatever the reason, your feeding journey is 100% yours.

Pumping takes dedication, planning, and commitment.

Just like breastfeeding.

It requires washing parts, finding time in your schedule, and often pumping around the clock.

That's not taking the "easy way out…”

That's hard work motivated by love. 🤍

So if you're reading this while pumping…

Know that you're doing an incredible job nourishing your baby.

Your efforts matter, and they count just as much as any other feeding method.

So, just in case you needed the reminder 💛

08/15/2025

Do you have a bottle museum in your kitchen cabinet? 🍼

If so, you're not alone!

I see this exact scenario in my practice all the time...

Parents spending hundreds of dollars on different bottles, trying every trick they've heard, feeling more frustrated with each failed attempt.

Here's the thing about bottle refusal that might surprise you:

It's rarely about the bottle itself. 🍼

Most of the time, it comes down to…

⏱️timing

↪️positioning

🍼and understanding your baby's unique feeding habits

Every baby is different.

Every feeding relationship is unique.

And there are many effective ways to work through bottle refusal that don't involve letting anyone get overly stressed or hungry.

So, if you're stuck in this cycle of buying bottles and feeling defeated…

There is a solution out there for you.

And it’s not usually buying yet another bottle.

Sometimes a fresh perspective and some gentle guidance can make all the difference. 💙

What's been your biggest frustration with bottle refusal?

Write it in the comments!

08/12/2025

Ann learned solid tools for solving bottle refusal issues AND the reasoning behind using them. 🍼

And that's the point of continuing education!

Solving your client's bottle refusal problem is about knowing what to do AND understanding the "why" behind each approach.

Because every bottle refusal case is different. 🍼

When you have a deeper understanding, you can adapt your guidance to meet each family exactly where they are.

The key is having a toolkit that's flexible enough to meet each baby's individual needs. ⚒️

Let's build your toolkit together.

Join me for my next two-part Bottle Skills for the Bottle Refuser workshop: 📅 September 8th & 15th ⏰ 7pm both evenings

Visit my website to register (link in bio), or send me a message with questions.

08/11/2025

Injuries to breast tissue (whether from years ago or more recent)...

can create lasting changes that affect milk drainage and breastfeeding comfort.

This might show up as:

💧Unexpected supply challenges

😥 Discomfort during feeding

👶 Persnickety babies who seem frustrated at the breast

And sometimes...

The connection between past trauma and current feeding difficulties isn't immediately obvious.

That's why I always ask about any history of breast or chest injuries during consultations. 📋

It helps me understand the full picture!

So IBCLC friends, have you noticed this issue as well?

What kinds of previous injury or trauma have you seen in your practice?

08/08/2025

Breastfeeding rarely unfolds exactly as we imagine it will.

Just when you think you have it figured out, your body (or your baby) might surprise you with something completely unexpected.

So, these facts might challenge what you thought you knew about nursing:

🌍 In many parts of the world, breastfeeding is still a major form of contraception

🤱 Spacing feeds out won't help with low supply. Generally, the more you nurse, the more your body produces

⚖️ Women typically don't produce the same amount of milk from each breast

🤧 If your baby has diarrhea or vomiting, keep breastfeeding. Breastmilk is almost always the best medicine for them

🌡️ Breastmilk is always ready, sterile, and the perfect temperature

Having knowledge like this can keep you from second-guessing yourself during the most challenging moments. 🤍

So, if you're navigating bottle refusal or any feeding challenges, remember that support is available.

Sometimes a fresh lense can change your whole perspective.

Which of these facts surprised you most?

🤍Save this post to share with a new parent who might benefit from knowing these facts.

08/06/2025

Every new mother deserves to feel supported on her breastfeeding journey.🤍

Here's what I've learned:

We don't need to overcomplicate it.

Sometimes the most powerful support comes from the simplest approaches.

💙A gentle reminder to trust those natural cues.

💙A reassuring voice that says "you're doing better than you think."

💙A safe space to ask questions without judgment.

As IBCLCs, we're honored to be part of that village of support…

alongside partners, family members, healthcare providers, and employers who all play a role in creating environments where mothers feel empowered.

When we invest in skilled breastfeeding counseling and nurturing spaces at home, in healthcare settings, and at work, we're helping mothers build confidence in this new dance they're learning with their babies.

Breastfeeding truly is a powerful foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity.

But it starts with making sure every mother has access to the gentle, informed support she deserves, for as long as she chooses to breastfeed.

Let's invest in breastfeeding together.

Because every mother deserves to feel empowered in her feeding journey, surrounded by a village that believes in her. 🌼

08/05/2025

Feeding transitions sometimes need a gentle approach...🍼

When families are introducing the bottle or working through feeding challenges, it's rarely about forcing a solution.

Instead, it's about creating…

🤱the right environment

🍼using helpful, thoughtful techniques

⌚giving both baby and parents the time they need to find their rhythm

Every baby's feeding journey is unique, and what works beautifully for one family might be different for another.

That's exactly why individualized support makes such a difference.

So, thank you, Kimberly, for signing up for my course for professionals: Bottle Skills for the Bottle Refuser. I’m so happy to hear it was worth your investment 🩵

Susan Howard, IBCLC

09/03/2025

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