Molly Zangrilli, IBCLC

05/16/2022

The Free Formula Exchange is a mutual aid network to help families find and provide formula during a national shortage.

05/15/2022

New statement available from USLCA. Navigating the US Formula Shortage: A Safe Approachhttps://uslca.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Navigating-the-US-Formula-Shortage.pdf

05/10/2022

​Shortages of infant formulas have occurred in some stores, mostly due to pandemic-related supply chain issues and a recent large-scale recall of contaminated products. Read on for tips for families struggling to find infant formula.

02/18/2022

🚨🚨FORMULA RECALL ALERT! 🚨🚨

Every client I have sent this to that is using Similac formula has had at least one canister that was affected by this recall. Please check if you are using any Similac formula, including Alimentum or Elecare.

The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas if:

the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; and

the code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2; and

the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Questions? Call 1-800-986-8540

The FDA is investigating consumer complaints of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one consumer complaint of infection of Salmonella Newport potentially linke

02/17/2022

How long can human milk sit out? What do I do after I thaw my milk? Can I reuse milk from a bottle when my baby has already had some?
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I get these questions very frequently in my practice. First and foremost, it’s important to remember that human milk is more than just its nutritional components. It is a living substance with antioxidant, antibacterial, prebiotic, probiotic and immune-boosting properties. Because of this, it can typically stay fresh for longer than we assume!
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The CDC recommends that freshly expressed human milk can stay at room temperature for 4 hours, in a refrigerator for 4 days, and in a freezer (in the body of the freezer, not the freezer door) for 6 months (👍🏻)and up to 12 months (🆗). The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine indicates that if collection is done in a safe and clean manner, human milk may last as long as 8 days safely in the fridge, with little change to its composition and little contamination.☑️
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Once you thaw human milk, it’s best to use it within 24 hours. You can thaw it in the refrigerator, in a container of warm water or under running water. Use it within 2 hours of it coming to room temperature or warmed. Never microwave human milk!
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If your baby feeds from a bottle but doesn’t quite finish it - don’t throw it away! You can use that human milk safely for another 2 hours.

02/11/2022

Are you expecting and planning on breastfeeding/chestfeeding? This is the final posts of our 4 part series. In today’s post, we discuss back-to-work planning.
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Build a little freezer stash. Having some milk frozen before you return to work is like 💴 in the bank! However, don’t forget to enjoy that baby 🤗. It can be helpful to have a few days of milk frozen before you return to work to give you some cushion, so ~30-40 oz if you will be away from baby for ~ 8-10 hours a day. Create a pumping session right after one of the morning feeds (supply is highest) after the first few weeks (focus on breastfeeding/chestfeeding for a few weeks). Do this consistently and your future self will thank you!
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Introduce a bottle - and keep practicing. The best time to introduce a bottle is when baby is 3-4 weeks old - any later, and the baby is more likely to refuse. Have a partner or a caregiver give the bottle and keep practicing at least a few times a week.
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Talk with your supervisor about your needs. Discuss your schedule and when you will need pumping breaks. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers (w/ some exceptions) are required to provide break time to express milk for one year. It’s important to you know your rights!
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Determine your baby’s milk needs. A few weeks before you return to work, notice when your baby feeds. This will help you determine ~ how many times your baby will feed when away from you (and when you should plan on pumping). A good rule of thumb is that a 3-4 month baby will likely need about 3-4 oz of milk every 3 hours while away from you. So if you will be away from baby for 9 hours and you feed your baby right before you go to work, your baby will need about 9-12 oz every day. If you’re away from baby for longer, you will need more.
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Discuss feeding schedules with caregiver. Talk about schedules and milk storage guidelines.
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We hope these posts have been helpful. We know they just scratch the surface on all there is to plan for and consider!

02/09/2022

Baby Wearing Workshop on this Friday, Feb 11th at 10am. Bring your own and we'll help you figure it out or try one of our donated carriers to see which one works best for you! We're not experts, but together, we can figure it out!
Please register. Space is limited for safety and masks are required. https://breastfeedingresourcecenter.networkforgood.com/events/39411-baby-wearing-workshop

02/09/2022

Are you expecting and planning on breastfeeding/chestfeeding? This is part 2 of a 4 part series regarding breastfeeding/chestfeeding tips for prenatal, birthing facility, first weeks at home and return to work.
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In today’s post, we discuss how to prepare for your birth facility/hospital stay. *All of these recommendations assume birth parent and baby are healthy and stable after delivery.*
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Ask for immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin that does not end until the first breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Have a member of the birth facility delivery team place your naked baby on your bare chest immediately after delivery. Early assessments and procedures can be done with the baby on the parent, or they can be delayed. Studies show skin-to-skin contact helps to stabilize baby and has a positive effect on breastfeeding/chestfeeding duration and exclusivity.
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Continue with skin-to-skin contact through the first feeding. Infants are born with amazing instincts, and after a period of relaxation, the baby will awaken and will exhibit sucking and rooting behaviors. Eventually, the infant will use their stepping reflex to make their way to the ni**le for the first feeding. Typically, this entire process takes about an hour.
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Have a lactation consultant check the latch while still in the hospital so that you can proactively tweak/fix any issues.
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Room-in with baby. It can be tempting to send the baby to the nursery (although a lot of hospitals no longer have them!); however, it’s best to keep baby with you so that you can feed frequently and can catch hunger cues early. Also, studies show that parents typically get the same amount of sleep with rooming-in due to less disruptions.
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Feed frequently. Watch the baby, not the clock! Babies are born with stomachs the size of a marble and are meant to feed frequently. Now is not the time to start them on a schedule. Feed them whenever they exhibit hunger cues (rooting, mouthing hands). Your future self will thank you!
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In tomorrow’s post, we will outline tips for the first few weeks at 🏠.
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02/08/2022

Are you expecting and planning on breastfeeding/chestfeeding? This post is the first in a 4 part series that will outline breastfeeding/chestfeeding tips for prenatal, birthing facility, first weeks at home and return to work.
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In today’s post, we discuss how to prepare prenatally to breastfeed/chestfeed.
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Take a class. Studies show that prenatal education can greatly impact the duration of breastfeeding/chestfeeding. The results of a 2008 study in the American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing indicated that families who attended prenatal breastfeeding classes had significantly increased breastfeeding duration at 6 months vs. the controls (citation below). Please DM me for class recommendations!
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Meet with a lactation consultant (or several!). It is a great idea to set up a prenatal appointment with a lactation consultant (many insurance plans will cover this visit). You can review your goals, any prior feeding experiences and your medical history. You can get your questions answered that you may not feel comfortable asking in a group setting! Meeting with a lactation consultant before you have your baby can make sure you find someone whose style works for you.
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Make a plan for your pump and other supplies. Talk to your friends, talk to a lactation consultant - choose your pump and purchase any other supplies you want to have when you get home with your baby. Talk with your insurance plan about what pumps are covered.
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Discuss your breastfeeding/chestfeeding goals with your OBGYN. You can review your medical history and any implications.
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If you have the time and want to harness that “nesting” instinct, prep some meals you can store in the freezer, buy some easy snacks to have near where you plan to feed baby. Designating a spot in the house where you plan to feed can be helpful. You can store your feeding supplies there (e.g., electric pump, silicone pump, burp cloths, pillow, etc) along with snacks.
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In tomorrow’s post, we will outline tips for the birth facility 🏥
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Know someone who might benefit from this info? Tag them or share this post with them!

02/02/2022

It’s cold and flu season! Ugh. And now you have a little one and you’re worried about what medications are safe.
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Lucky for us, the folks from the have done extensive research into the effects of medications on human milk and have categorized cold and flu medications into 5 categories, ranging from Safest to Hazardous.
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This posts breaks down the most popular cold medications that are considered safe, and includes some to use with ⚠️. Don’t forget, there are other non-drug options, too!
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The good news is that the breast is a wonderful filtration system. PLUS - many medications have factors that limit the transfer into your milk (e.g., large molecules, poor bioavailability, etc).
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This post is NOT intended to take the place of medical advice. Please contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.
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Source: https://www.infantrisk.com/content/cough-cold-medications-while-breastfeeding
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01/28/2022

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There's an urgent call for breastfeeding moms to save their extra milk.Milk banks across the country are suffering a shortage and looking for healthy donors to replenish their sto

12/23/2021

One of the most popular questions I get as a lactation consultant revolves around how alcohol transfers into milk and if having a drink or two is ok.
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This post by Elizabeth C. Brooks, JD, IBCLC (LLC) does a much better job than I ever have at answering that question!
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Happy holidays!!

While the harmful effects of alcohol during pregnancy are well-established, the consequences of alcohol intake during lactation have been far less examined. We reviewed available data on the prevalen...

10/05/2021

I spent an awesome day at the kick-off of the Lactation Clinic! This organization and the people working at the foundation are truly amazing.
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Going forward, they will be offering FREE in-person or virtual visits with one of their Certified Breastfeeding Counselors every Wednesday from 1-4 and Friday from 11-2
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Please visit their page for more information on how to register!

09/20/2021

No serious adverse events were reported by 180 breastfeeding women receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, either among themselves or in their infants, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. For the mothers, adverse events included muscle and body aches, fever and....

06/13/2021

My baby turned 8️⃣ yesterday…and I think it looks good on him! 😍

06/01/2021

Tuesday morning (after a rainy long weekend) mood...

There's no way all these people have spotless, perfectly decorated homes.

05/20/2021

My heart breaks for these new mothers who also happen to be Olympians!

U.S. marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk is a nursing mother qualified for the Olympics. Right now, she can't bring her daughter.

05/10/2021

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