Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC Lactation consultant in Wayland MA
I help you feed your baby (IRL or virtual)
No guilt, no shame!
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Rachel O’Brien is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who earned her Master of Arts degree in human lactation in 2015. Rachel prides herself on providing real-life, guilt-free breastfeeding help and specializes in low milk supply, latch difficulty, bottle refusal, tongue tie and lip tie, and LGBTQIA+ lactation. When she isn’t doing office or virtual visits for breastfeeding help Rachel is often blogging about lactation or mentoring other private practice IBCLCs. She uses her expertise, warmth, and sense of humor to help families to meet their breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals. When she’s not working you can find Rachel at home in Sudbury where she is always either playing with her three children, knitting, or watching drag queens.

They grow up.I know it's hard to take the long view when you've just tried to put your 6 week old down "alone, by themse...
12/10/2025

They grow up.

I know it's hard to take the long view when you've just tried to put your 6 week old down "alone, by themselves, in a crib" for the 14th time and your baby just keeps waking up and crying to be held. When you're covered in spit up, and postpartum sweat, and maybe your own tears. When you haven't taken a shower in 48 hours and really what's the point, you'll just be covered in all of it again before you even towel off.

But I promise you... they grow up.

Has anyone told you "the nights are long but the years are short" yet? This is Max. Max is my middle kid. He was born in the middle of an ice storm, and since then he's been a force to be reckoned with.

In terms of breastfeeding, Max was my best latcher and nursing him was easy. But... he just didn't care. I had to go back to work full time when he was 2 months old (no paid leave) and my job was an hour away each way so I was pumping and he was getting bottles for most of his feeds. He really didn't care about nursing- I practically had to drag him to a year of breastfeeding. He could take it or leave it.

But Max cared about pretty much literally EVERYTHING else. Animals, helping people, picking up litter on the street, avoiding his chores, Spider-Man, his siblings, songwriting, playing guitar. Max is a big bucket of empathy and emotions and all he really wants to do is take care of everyone and everything he comes in contact with.

They grow up.

Max turns 18 today. Of course I saw it coming (I do own a calendar) but on the other hand, he's still my little Beany who cut his own hair "as an experiment" and "rescued" a garter snake that got loose in the house and ended up in my bedroom.

Happy birthday, Max. You just keep being the amazing person you are. Bring the world back into tune. I love you! 🎂🥳🎊🎈

Baby feeling sick? 🤒This is one of those times when breastmilk is magical. When your baby is fighting an illness, your m...
12/10/2025

Baby feeling sick? 🤒

This is one of those times when breastmilk is magical.

When your baby is fighting an illness, your milk shifts—more immune factors, more targeted antibodies, more of what their body needs right now. It’s wild and very cool. 🧬💪

Breastmilk is:
🫶 soothing
💧 hydrating
🌿 gentle on cranky tummies
🤗 familiar when everything else feels gross

If your baby can take anything by mouth, breastmilk is basically the VIP option.

Also, a tiny side-eye moment:
If someone tells you “they need Pedialyte” as the default plan… sure, sometimes electrolyte fluids are helpful. But 99% of the time, for a breastfed baby, your milk already covers hydration and immune support. Two-for-one, no pharmacy run.

Pausing breastfeeding “until they’re better” can backfire:
⬇️ supply can dip
😣 your body gets uncomfortable
🛡️ your baby misses out on that immune boost
…and nobody needs that extra chaos.

So keep offering the breast and your own milk.
Go for small, frequent feeds if that’s what baby is willing to do. 🍼
Snuggle close. 🤱
Let milk be the comfort food and the medicine helper.

You and your baby are a solid team—even on the snotty days.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2023












Feeding feeling hard right now?Yep. You’re not the only one. And you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through anothe...
12/09/2025

Feeding feeling hard right now?

Yep. You’re not the only one. And you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through another day of Googling & guessing.

I’m Rachel O’Brien, an IBCLC (lactation consultant) in Boston. I help tired, overwhelmed parents get to “ohhh, okay- we’ve got this.”

Whether you’re feeding at the breast, by bottle, combo feeding, or figuring out what even works for your baby- there’s a path forward.

If you’re dealing with:
- latch pain
- Milk supply concerns
- bottle refusal or bottle feeding struggles
- or if feeding your baby just feels like a daily puzzle

you deserve real support and a plan that fits your baby and your life.

Swipe through 👉 to see what working together looks like:
practical steps you can use right away
calm, no-judgment troubleshooting
a feeding plan tailored to your baby

Want this to feel easier?

Book a 1:1 consult through the link in my bio, either in person or virtually. We’ll sort it out together. 💕









Heading back to work soon? 💼🤱Pumping during the workday doesn’t have to feel overwhelming- and you don’t have to figure ...
12/05/2025

Heading back to work soon? 💼🤱

Pumping during the workday doesn’t have to feel overwhelming- and you don’t have to figure it out alone!

My Top 5 Pumping Tips for Returning to Work will help you stay confident, prepared, and fully supported every step of the way. 💗✨

From building your stash to planning your schedule, these simple strategies make a BIG difference in your breastfeeding journey once you've returned to work.

💬 Comment “back to work” and I’ll send you a link to purchase my Back-to-Work Pumping PDF for $2.99- it calculates exactly how much milk your baby needs while you're away!

You’ve got this, and I’m here to help. 💪💕










Do babies actually need cow’s milk? 🍼🤔Let’s take a deep breath and make this simple:No — cow’s milk is not required for ...
12/04/2025

Do babies actually need cow’s milk? 🍼🤔

Let’s take a deep breath and make this simple:
No — cow’s milk is not required for healthy growth.

It gets marketed like a “must,” but really it’s just one convenient way to get calcium, fat, protein, and vitamin D. Plenty of kids around the world grow up without cow’s milk, and they’re doing just fine.

What matters isn’t the milk- it’s the nutrients.

After 12 months, milk becomes a supporting character in your toddler’s diet, not the main event.

Those nutrients can come from many other foods, like:
• Yogurt & cheese
• Eggs
• Green veggies
• Nut butters
• Calcium-fortified foods/drinks

One more thing you deserve to know:
Too much cow’s milk can backfire.
It can crowd out iron-rich foods, reduce appetite, and increase the risk of iron deficiency.

Bottom line:
Cow’s milk is an option, not a requirement.
If your kid loves it? Great.
If they don’t? Also great.
We’ll meet your family where you are. 💛










⚖️ “Can I go to that conference if it’s sponsored by a formula company?” 🤔If you’ve ever asked yourself that (or anythin...
11/13/2025

⚖️ “Can I go to that conference if it’s sponsored by a formula company?” 🤔

If you’ve ever asked yourself that (or anything like it), this book deserves a spot on your shelf!

📘 Legal and Ethical Issues for the IBCLC by Elizabeth Brooks, JD, IBCLC
It’s not exactly a “fun” read—but it’s one of the most essential ones for anyone in lactation work.

We walk a fine line between volunteer breastfeeding support and clinical care, and sometimes our legal or ethical boundaries can feel... blurry. Liz Brooks (yes—lawyer and IBCLC!) helps clear it all up.

💡 Inside you’ll find:
✔️ Case studies that make ethics relatable and real
✔️ Guidance on the WHO Code, conflicts of interest, and client responsibility
✔️ Clear breakdowns of your professional and legal duties

Even though some parts are dated, this text remains a gold standard for IBCLCs navigating today’s gray areas.

💬 Have you read it yet—or do you have another go-to ethics resource you recommend? Drop your thoughts in the comments ⬇️

Only 4 DAYS LEFT to join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs™ — don’t miss out! 🍼✨IBCLCs and lactation professionals — this is ...
11/12/2025

Only 4 DAYS LEFT to join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs™ — don’t miss out! 🍼✨

IBCLCs and lactation professionals — this is your final call!
If you’ve been meaning to join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs™, now’s the time. Registration closes on November 16, 2025, and once doors close, they’re closed for the year.

This course has already helped nearly 500 lactation pros master bottle refusal cases with confidence and ease. You’ll learn the why behind feeding challenges, gain practical tools you can use right away, and earn 17 CERPs while you do it.

Here’s what’s inside 👇
✅ 17 CERPs (10 L, 5 R, 2 E) — including 2 WHO Code CERPs
✅ Real case studies + oral function demos
✅ Custom care plans & charting templates
✅ Learn at your own pace (access until Dec 12, 2025)
✅ Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and low-resource providers

💌 Returning student? Check your inbox — a special discount is waiting just for you!

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I understood bottle refusal better,” this is your sign to take the leap. 💪
Don’t wait — you’ve got just one week left!

💬 Comment “join” and I’ll send you the link to sign up today!

This was my favorite education so far!” — Why IBCLCs are RAVING about this course 🍼✨⭐ “I feel like your course has shown...
11/11/2025

This was my favorite education so far!” — Why IBCLCs are RAVING about this course 🍼✨

⭐ “I feel like your course has shown so many different ways I can use in my practice. I understand WHY babies might refuse the bottle and how to give better recommendations. You’re a FANTASTIC teacher!” — Samantha P., IBCLC

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to guide families through bottle refusal, this course gives you the clarity, tools, and confidence you’ve been looking for.

Here’s what you’ll get when you join:
✅ 17 CERPs (10 L, 5 R, 2 E) — including 2 WHO Code CERPs
✅ Go at your own pace — access through Dec 12, 2025
✅ Real case studies, oral function demos, and charting tools
✅ Custom care plans you can use right away
✅ Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and low-resource providers 🌎
Hundreds of lactation professionals have already transformed their bottle refusal support — now it’s your turn!

🚨 Registration closes Nov 16, 2025!

💬 Comment “join” and I’ll send you the link to register today.

Soapy? Metallic? What that smell in your pumped milk really means 👃🍼Ever opened a bottle of pumped milk and thought… “Wa...
11/10/2025

Soapy? Metallic? What that smell in your pumped milk really means 👃🍼

Ever opened a bottle of pumped milk and thought… “Wait—why does this smell weird?” 🤔
Don’t panic your milk is still safe! 💕

Here’s what could be going on 👇

💧 High Lipase Milk – often has a soapy smell. Totally safe — your milk’s enzymes just work fast at breaking down fat!

⚡ Oxidized Milk – smells metallic or rancid. That’s from milk fat oxidation (usually from freezer storage or metal exposure). Still safe, but some babies may refuse it because of taste.

✨ Pro Tip:

Chill milk quickly after pumping

Store in small batches

Avoid metal containers

Try scalding milk before freezing if taste is an issue

Your milk is still liquid gold — just with a little extra character. 😉

💬 Have you ever noticed a strange smell in your pumped milk? Comment “YES” below — let’s talk about it!

11/07/2025

🚨 Stop guessing, start guiding: the bottle refusal course every IBCLC needs! 🍼💡

Ever had a baby refuse every bottle—no matter what parents try? 😩 You’re not alone, and this course will change the way you understand bottle feeding forever.

Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs™ gives lactation professionals the tools, confidence, and evidence-based strategies to:
✨ Understand why babies "refuse" bottles
✨ Master oral function assessments
✨ Create individualized care plans that actually work
✨ Support families through stress-free feeding transitions

🎓 Earn 17 CERPs (including 2 WHO Code CERPs)
🌈 Scholarships available for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and low-resource providers
📆 Access all materials until December 12, 2025

Registration closes November 16, 2025 — don’t miss your chance to level up your practice and make bottle feeding breakthroughs happen.

💬 Comment “register” below, and I’ll send you the link to sign up today!

📚 Book of the Day: The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns by Elizabeth PantleySleep and feeding go hand in hand and thi...
11/06/2025

📚 Book of the Day: The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns by Elizabeth Pantley

Sleep and feeding go hand in hand and this book gets it. 😴💛

Parents are often told they need to “train” their baby to sleep through the night. But as every IBCLC knows, that advice can sometimes backfire leading to dropped milk supply, frustrated parents, and hungry babies.

What I love about this book is how gentle and realistic it is. Elizabeth Pantley helps parents understand how babies actually sleep, why night waking is normal, and how to support better rest without compromising breastfeeding.

It’s kind. It’s honest. And it’s the perfect alternative when you walk into a consult and spot one of those rigid sleep training books on the coffee table. 😉

💬 IBCLCs and parents — what’s your favorite gentle sleep resource or advice for new families? Share your go-to below!

🚨 LAST CHANCE ALERT: 2 WEEKS LEFT to Join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs™! 🚨IBCLCs, CLCs, and lactation professionals — th...
11/05/2025

🚨 LAST CHANCE ALERT: 2 WEEKS LEFT to Join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs™! 🚨

IBCLCs, CLCs, and lactation professionals — this is your final call to level up your bottle refusal expertise before registration closes on November 16, 2025! 🍼

This course isn’t just another training — it’s a game-changer that’s already helped nearly 500 professionals confidently support families struggling with bottle feeding challenges. 💪

✨ What you’ll gain:
✅ 17 CERPs (10 L, 5 R, 2 E) — including 2 WHO Code CERPs
✅ Hands-on demos, charting tools & care plans you’ll actually use
✅ Real case studies guided by Rachel O’Brien, IBCLC
✅ Flexible, self-paced access until December 12, 2025
✅ Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and low-resource providers 🌍

💌 Returning student? Check your email for your exclusive discount code!

Don’t let this opportunity slip by, it’s your time to strengthen your clinical confidence and transform your practice.

💬 Comment “join” below and I’ll send you the registration link today!

Address

260 Boston Post Road, Ste 1
Wayland, MA
01778

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 12pm

Telephone

+16172319089

Website

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Breastfeeding can be hard; I can help.

I’m a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who earned my Master of Arts degree in human lactation in 2015. I pride myself on providing real-life, guilt-free breastfeeding help and I specialize in low milk supply, latch difficulty, tongue tie and lip tie, and LGBTQIA+ lactation.

I use my expertise, warmth, and sense of humor (and sarcasm) to help families to meet their breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals- whatever those goals may be. My lactation services are evidence-based and judgement free.

When I’m not doing in-home visits for breastfeeding help or working as a lactation consultant at UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester, I’m often blogging about lactation or contributing as a breastfeeding expert on Romper.com and FitPregnancy.com. When I’m not working you can find me at home in Sudbury where I’’m always either playing with my three children, knitting, or watching drag queens.