Licata Lactation

12/29/2022

Such an honest read… so true❤️❤️ and We Need To Say This More!

I spent the night of my thirty-fifth birthday sitting alone on a sofa in Staten Island, nursing my eight-day-old baby and weeping silently while my in-laws ate dinner. It wasn’t their fault. It was Thanksgiving, after all, and there no was no one who could satiate the baby but me. We were breastfe...

12/07/2022

Meet this star ⭐️ Talia. She was born 3 weeks early, weighing in at our first visit 2296g and had some difficulties latching, maintaining active suckling at the breast and had inadequate milk transfer. Fast forward to 6wk4d and see how big she’s grown! (~8 #5!). She was able to transfer 104mL today!

She underwent a frenectomy procedure to correct her upper lip and posterior ankylglossia and worked hard at strengthening her oral facial muscles. She has been able to transition from bottle feeding to exclusively nursing at the breast.

Proud IBCLC moment for me but would like to applaud, for allowing me to guide her through her breastfeeding journey. Her determination is so admirable!

I’m so honored to help my clients succeed to meet their goals. You all inspire me in so many weighs and I am so thankful for you!

10/12/2022

Are you frustrated that you are not responding as well as you’d like to with your pump? Notice a change in output?

You may be using the wrong size fl**ge. Most people do and don’t realize! It is important to get sized to get the most out of your pumping session.

Why do you need to consider getting measured?
Having the correct fl**ge size leads to better suction and milk removal as well as more comfort for you!

Fl**ge fitting appointments offered virtually or in person. Reach out for more info!

**gefitting

09/09/2022

Registration is now open to all Huntington-area patrons. You can register here: https://www.nenpl.org/event/breastfeeding-support-group-1

08/03/2022

World Breastfeeding Week is this week ❤️

An emotional one for me since my breastfeeding journey is coming to an end.

I’m thankful for the hours I spent feeding my babies, Lorenzo, Giovanni & Leonardo. Some feeds were tough, overwhelming and exhausting but honestly I forget those moments and am able to look back and remember the beauty of it all. My whole heart went into the breastfeeding experience. Watching them grow was such a precious journey and as this chapter ends I look forward to helping other moms enjoy this experience as much as I do/did.

Take this week to be proud of how far you’ve come whether it’s a few days/weeks/months or years!! ❤️

08/01/2022

Wondering if you can drink caffeine when breastfeeding?
YES! YES! YES!

Postpartum fatigue is tough so need a pick me up?

Some facts about caffeine and breastfeeding:
-caffeine excretes from body in approximately 3-5 hours
-it may cause irritability or wakefulness in baby

Key takeaway 🗝
Consume caffeine if you choose to (I certainly did!) but just be mindful or how much and when you consume it!

07/26/2022

Are you wondering how much milk you are producing daily? The exact amount of milk you produce changes daily but the average milk production is between 750-800mL. Holy cow! 🐄

Concerned that you are not producing this much? Since it is impossible to measure without a weighted feed count your babies’ voids (5-8 per day) and check in with your pediatrician or lactation consultant for weight checks.

Consider checking in with your lactation consultant if you are concerned about low production. There are ways to increase. Stimulation and herbal galactagogues
are just two ways but every situation is individualized.

I know there are oversuppliers out there who struggle with bouts of mastitis and constant clogged ducts. I see you too!

07/05/2022

Wondering about breastfeeding and drinking? 🍷
You can! Just keep in mind these few facts:

Alcohol clears out of your system in about 2-3 hours.

Pumping does NOT clear the alcohol- time does! ⏱

Peak level of milk in your system is 30-60 minutes on an empty stomach and 60-90 minutes when eating and drinking together.

The bottom line is yes you can drink but drink responsibly 🍹

07/04/2022

I recently cut myself pretty deeply which required stitches. It’s healing nicely but even better since I started applying breastmilk to the wound. Did you know that you can do that?

Here’s why:

The immunologic agents found in human milk help fight against bacteria, viruses and parasites. The bioactive components of human milk and microbiota have promise as adjuvants for wound healing!

Just another fun fact about breastmilk and the amazing things it can do other than provide nutrients to your baby.

06/22/2022

Is your baby trying to nurse on your friend or partner? Whoops! No milk there but your baby is communicating with you!

These cues are your babies way of telling you that they are hungry. It could be in the sweetest way with cute sounds and rooting (turning head and opening mouth) or a little less sweet with frantic, agitated movements. Either way, they are letting you know that they need you.

You will learn your newborns hunger cues in time. Until then use this reference to help guide you with new feeding cues.

It's time to nurse, mom!

06/16/2022

Breastfeeding burnout can happen.
BF is all on you. Yes, people can help give the baby expressed BM from bottle but ultimately — you are the one pumping to get those ounces in that bottle. It’s A LOT!!

It’s NORMAL to have these overwhelming emotions and it’s okay to feel them. If you need a break - use the frozen milk and let someone give your baby a bottle and run out or nap or do whatever!!! Don’t stress about using that milk. You’ll get more. Your body will produce more.

06/02/2022

It’s hard to know how much breastmilk your baby is actually getting when you are exclusively nursing from the breast. There are ways to know that your baby is getting enough. Let me tell you how.

Wet diapers: after day 5 you should expect 5-8 wet diapers per day. Before day 5 you should expect 1 wet diapers for every day of life. For example, if your baby is 2 days old then anticipate at least 2 wet (p*e) diapers in 24 hours.

Dirty diapers: most breastfed babies stool often (sometimes every diaper change!- yes BM is THAT digestable) but some babies do not go as often. Keep a record of the color and frequency of bowel movements and be in touch with your doctor if you notice < 3 dirty diapers per day.

Weight: almost all breastfed babies lose weight in the first few days after birth. The goal is for them to regain their birth weight by day 10-14 days of life. Your pediatrician (and/or your IBCLC) will weigh your baby and give you insight after weight checks. Your IBCLC will help guide you and help you stay focused and give you the support you need as your baby grows.

05/29/2022

Get the lactation care you deserve:

1.Fill out the consultation request form at tln.care
2. They will check your insurance coverage. If you're covered, they will bill your insurance directly. That means no out-of-pocket costs of paperwork for you.
3. We can schedule an in-home or telehealth lactation consultation with you and your baby.

TLN covers you at 100% for your initial visit as well as needed follow ups. Things may come up during your breastfeeding journey so this allows us to continue communicating to get the support you need!

Request your insurance-covered lactation visit today @
https://go.lactationnetwork.com/LicataLactation

05/18/2022

Worried that your not giving enough?

Your newborn on day 1 of life has a stomach the size of a cherry. The expected volume of colostrum for each feed is 5-7 mL or 1-1.4tsp.

On day 3 the stomach is walnut sized and the expected volume for feeds is 22-27mL or 0.75-1oz.

At one week of life, the stomach is the size of an apricot and can hold 45-60mL or 1-2oz of BM.

By one month, the stomach is the size of an 🥚and can hold 80-150mL or 2.5oz of BM.

How do you know if your baby is getting enough?
✔️Weight checks
✔️good urine output (5-8 wet diapers per day)
✔️good stool output

The take away is that your babies needs are small initially and increases as baby grows. Spend that extra post partum time focusing on bonding and skin to skin time. Don’t stress about volume unless its medically necessary. Stimulation, stimulation and more stimulation will encourage colostrum/milk production.

05/18/2022

Set realistic goals for yourself.

I support any goal whether it’s days-weeks-months or even years. Don’t let anyone judge you for how short or how long you breastfeed for. It’s your body and your baby!

Colostrum has immune-boosting properties and contains antibodies and antioxidants which helps to protect your baby from infection. Maybe your short term goal is to provide colostrum to your newborn while in the hospital. That’s something!

A realistic long term goal may be 1-3 months but can keep changing. Be proud of your commitment- however long it may be!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastmilk only from 0-6 months, breastmilk and solids from 6-12 months. Don’t put yourself down if your breastfeeding journey does not turn out the way you planned. You need to do what’s right for you and your baby physically and mentally.

I’ll support you along the way 🤱🏻

05/11/2022

Worried about the formula shortage and considering getting your baby back to breastfeeding? Relactation IS possible!

It is a bit easier to regain your milk supply if you had a well established milk supply in the first 4-6 weeks of life (from effective and frequent stimulation).

Not one of these people?
It is still possible!!

Adoptive mothers and mothers with older babies can get results too. Amazing, right?

Reach out to me to learn the process and start your relactation journey.

04/25/2022

Are your ni***es/areolas irritated from all of the pumping you are doing?

Lubricate your ni***es and areolas with lanolin, coconut oil or ni**le cream prior to pumping to decrease the amount of friction caused while pumping. This will make your pumping session easier and more comfortable.

04/05/2022

Engorged and uncomfortable or baby having trouble latching on?

💫Try this maneuver which will help to move fluid away from the ni**le making it easier for babe to latch on.

Reverse Pressure Softening:
1. Lay back
2. Place two fingers under the base of your ni**le and press in and hold this position for 1-2 minutes
3. Change angle and repeat for 1-2 minutes

Additional ways to achieve this:
✋🏼Press down using all five fingertips of one hand around the base of the ni**le.
Or
You can use your two thumbs or the first few fingers on each hand lengthwise above and below the ni**le.