Beyond the Breast

08/05/2025

July was busy but beautiful with so many adorable babies, rock star parents and new connections made.

08/05/2025

It might surprise you to hear this, but a client cancellations?
Sometimes, they make me smile.
Why? When a family says,
“We're getting the hang of it—we don’t need a visit this week,”
what they’re really saying is:
✨ We feel confident.
✨ We’ve got this.

My job isn’t to create a lifetime of dependence. It’s to pour into you in those early, fragile weeks —so you can feel confident, equipped, and rooted in your own parenting strengths & wisdom.

When families get steady, responsive support from day one (and between visits!), something beautiful happens:
💮 Feeding feels easier.
💮 Baby starts to gain.
💮Parents breathe deeper.
💮 Confidence grows.
💮Feeding goals are met.

And suddenly…they’re good. Not because it’s perfect—but because they know what they’re doing.
They know themselves. They trust their baby.
That’s not a cancellation. That's empowerment.

They know too that there's a supportive hand and listening ear if they have questions or want to check-in.

If you want to feel this supported and confident in your feeding journey, I’d love to walk alongside you. DM me SUPPORT to book concierge-level lactation care that meets you where you are—and gets you where you want to be. 💜

08/03/2025

There is a time for formula use and many babies do benefit from its use for a variety of reasons, The unethical marketing and promotion of infant and toddler formulas however, is a disservice to families and healthcare providers who may be assisting them.

As providers we have an obligation to help inform families and educate them on the differences between breastmilk and formula.

No matter how a family chooses to feed their baby they deserve to be given accurate, truthful information to help them make an informed decision about their choices.

This year's World Breastfeeding Week campaign to is about information and empowerment not shaming- it's about supporting all families globally about feeding options so parents can make the best choice for their baby/babies.





FortWorthIBCLC

08/02/2025

Happy !
It's the kickoff week for World Breastfeeding Month
This year's theme is Prioritize Breastfeeding:Create Sustainable Support Systems
Focus points include:
🏥 Health systems that offer skilled, sustainable breastfeeding support from pregnancy through early childhood.
⚖ Policies, laws and programs that prioritize women, babies and breastfeeding.
🤝Community partnerships to help uphold every woman and baby's right to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.

Want to learn more?
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-breastfeeding-week/2025

08/01/2025

ATTN: .nossel JulieOwono

Unregulated formula advertising on Meta platforms is a threat to public health. Here’s why:

1️⃣ Undermines Breastfeeding: It erodes maternal confidence and discourages breastfeeding, which is clinically proven to protect infant and maternal health.

2️⃣ Promotes Unsafe Feeding Practices: Influencers often show formula being prepared incorrectly. There is no mention the medical risks of formula or when its use is clinically appropriate.

3️⃣ Linked to Harm and Litigation: There are currently over 700 lawsuits filed against major formula companies for failing to warn parents that their products can cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants — a devastating and often fatal condition.

4️⃣ Violates Global Health Standards: The WHO, UNICEF, and The Lancet have all called for a ban on digital marketing, warning it misleads families and endangers public health.

🛑 This is a systemic issue, not a personal choice. Meta must act. END IT NOW.

07/16/2025

So excited for this event!

We’re so excited to host Big Latch 2025 — a morning filled with connection, celebration, and support for breastfeeding and pumping families! 🩷

Come by for the vendor fair, bring your little ones for outdoor play, and be part of the Big Latch On at 11:45 AM — a global movement promoting public breastfeeding and milk expression.

🗓 October 4 | 10 AM–1 PM
📍 St. Timothy Church, Bedford
🧺 Free to attend | No registration needed | Picnic encouraged!

Let’s make some memories and lift each other up 💪🍼

07/14/2025

A clinical trial focused on the effects of massage therapy on preterm infants backs what many parents and massage therapists have known to be true.

👶Why It Matters
Preterm babies face big hurdles — from weight gain to longer hospital stays.
But gentle, intentional infant massage can change the story.

🧠 💪 Preterm infants receiving moderate-pressure massage
➡ Gained weight faster
➡ Reached full feeding sooner
➡ Spent fewer days in the NICU

🧘‍♀️ Moderate-pressure massage...
🌿 Calms the nervous system
🌿 Boosts digestion
🌿 Lowers stress
🌿 Supports growth and development
Touch is more than soothing — it’s medicine.

❤️ While this study took place in a hospital, infant massage can continue at home.
🤲 Skin-to-skin + gentle, rhythmic touch = long-term benefits for your baby’s body and brain.

📚 At Beyond the Breast, we empower families with tools that go beyond feeding.
💗 Ask us how to learn infant massage safely
💗 Get hands-on support for your preemie’s growth journey
💗 Research article in link above ⬆

🌈 Every gentle stroke tells your baby: You are safe. You are loved. You are growing strong. 💕
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07/02/2025

Navigating the early days of motherhood can be both beautiful and challenging. For many new moms, breastfeeding is a journey filled with unexpected hurdles, from latch issues to concerns about milk supply. It’s important to know that you don’t have to face these challenges alone. This is where the invaluable support of a lactation consultant comes into play. 💖

I'm blessed each day by the families I serve in our community!

07/02/2025

As an IBCLC, I've spent many hours immersed in trainings, webinars, infant feeding related books (breast,bottle, cup, supplemental systems, weaning & more), to help me stay up to date on new information in order to best serve families in our community.

My goal is to provide personalized care, hands-on help, and emotional support to ensure that parents and baby thrive during this critical bonding time.

Whether you’re struggling with pain, confusion about feeding cues, or just need reassurance, I'd be honored to support your family too!

07/01/2025

Across the U.S. Insurance companies are failing new families and adjusting their policies for reimbursement and coverage for lactation coverage.
Coverage that was deemed necessary and vital within the Affordable Care Plan 10yrs ago.

Moms in Mississippi now face out-of-pocket costs of over $100 per session for breastfeeding help – and are calling on lawmakers and the state’s largest private insurer to step up.

07/01/2025

Insurance can make us crazy- keeping track of coverages and changes shouldn't be the worry of new parents when adjusting to a new baby & in need of care.

Key Updates for recent changes for The Lactation Network:
🗓 🚫Starting July 14, TLN will no longer accept new patients with many of network plans- BlueCross Blue Shield plans make up a majority of those that will no longer be accepted.

🪪 United Healthcare Plans & Aetna will be accepted (some limits may apply)

✅️ Have BCBS of Tx & already approved?
You are still covered for your 3-6 visits

😕❓️Why the changes?
BCBS has recently made sweeping changes to their definitions for lactation care, reimbursement rates and coverage policies for IBCLCs.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Families deserve better! Lactation care isn't a 20min visit and magic wands waved- it takes time and support of the breastfeeding dyad (parent & baby) AND their support team (family, friends, other care providers)

👩‍⚕️Providers deserve to be paid for their time and expertise & they shouldn't have to jump through hoops to become in network with insurance companies

🤝🚫 Attempts for negotiation, improved contracts and reimbursement rates have been made to no avail (here in TX, many of my colleagues have already met with BCBS as well)

⏳️For now, I'm not moving away from TLN (yet), BUT I am working to become in Network with other insurance providers so I can transition away from TLN
📃 Out of Network visits will still receive itemized receipts so families can submit for reimbursement

❓️DM - I'm happy to help answer q's, assist with scheduling and help you navigate options so you can receive care from birth to Beyond the Breast 💗

06/25/2025

It's time for a mini break- recharge, rest, rejuvenate w/family.

Needing a consult or have Q's, dm for a list of local trusted colleagues who can assist while I'm away.