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!

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.

💡 these two books will change how you see breastfeeding- forever📖 The Big Letdown by Kimberly Seals Allers and Unlatched...
10/24/2025

💡 these two books will change how you see breastfeeding- forever

📖 The Big Letdown by Kimberly Seals Allers and Unlatched by Jennifer Grayson both dig deep into how society, medicine, and big business shape the way parents feed their babies.

They explore the systems that make breastfeeding harder, from healthcare barriers to cultural stigma and corporate influence.

But here’s where it gets fascinating… 👀
👉 There’s one HUGE difference between these books. The Big Letdown was written by a Black woman, and Unlatched by a white woman.
And if you don’t think that impacts their experiences and what they uncover then you really need to read both.

These books will completely shift how you see the intersection of race, privilege, and access in infant feeding. 🌍

✨ They’re essential reads for anyone who wants to understand not just how we support parents who are feeding their babies, but why our system looks the way it does.

👉 Comment “blog” below and I’ll send you the link to my full list of the Top 10 Most Important Books for IBCLCs!

“‘You BLEW my mind with the ni**le shapes!" — Why IBCLCs and lactation professionals are calling this course a total gam...
10/23/2025

“‘You BLEW my mind with the ni**le shapes!" — Why IBCLCs and lactation professionals are calling this course a total game-changer 👀🍼

Kathy, RN IBCLC, said it best:

“Soooo many takeaways! I love knowing that it’s not a choice they’re making, but a developmental issue we can help with. You blew my mind with the ni**le shapes and how that impacts their ability to suck!” 💡

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.

✨ Still need to catch up—or just getting started? Here’s what you’ll get when you join:
✅ 17 CERPs (10 L, 5 R, 2 E)
✅ Includes 2 WHO Code CERPs for IBLCE recertification
✅ Go at your own pace—access through Dec 12, 2025
✅ Custom care plans, oral function demos, and charting tools
✅ Real case studies + personal guidance from Rachel
✅ Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and providers in low-resource countries

💬 Close to 500 lactation professionals have taken this course—and they’re calling it a must-have for anyone supporting bottle-fed babies.

If you’ve ever said, “I wish I knew more about bottle refusal,” this is your sign. 🎯

⏰ Enrollment closes Nov 16, 2025.
💬 Comment “join” and I’ll send you the link to sign up for the course!

⏳ Lactation professionals- you've only got 3 weeks left to join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs 2025!Learn to confidently g...
10/22/2025

⏳ Lactation professionals- you've only got 3 weeks left to join Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs 2025!

Learn to confidently guide families through bottle refusal with step-by-step tools you can use right away.

✅ 17 CERPs (10 L, 5 R, 2 E)
✅ includes 2 WHO Code CERPs for IBLCE recertification
✅ Go at your own pace—access through Dec 12, 2025
✅ Custom care plans, oral function demos, and charting tools
✅ Real case studies + personal guidance from me
✅ Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and providers in low-resource countries

Registrations close Nov 16, 2025 — no extensions!

💬 Comment “join” to register now!

📋 The $5 Tool Every IBCLC Needs in Their Practice 💡Want to instantly look more polished and save time after every consul...
10/21/2025

📋 The $5 Tool Every IBCLC Needs in Their Practice 💡

Want to instantly look more polished and save time after every consult?
This customizable “What Happens Next?” handout was designed just for IBCLCs — and it’s only $5! 🎉

Here’s what’s inside 👇
✅ Editable Microsoft Word file — make it truly yours
✅ Space for your contact info and follow-up policy
✅ Professional layout that helps families feel confident after your visit
✅ Easy-to-read format that saves you time explaining the next steps

Whether you’re in private practice or working in a clinic, this simple, affordable handout helps you show up like the pro you are — without starting from scratch. 💪

👉 Grab your copy now for only $5! Comment “handout” below, and I’ll send you the link to get yours today!

10/17/2025

Night feeds can feel endless but with the right support, they don’t have to feel lonely. 🌙💛

If you want to support a breastfeeding/nursing parent, try these 5 simple things:
✨ Handle diaper changes
✨ Refill their water + snacks
✨ Keep the room calm and cozy
✨ Offer encouragement, not fixes
✨ Help them rest whenever possible

You don’t need to feed the baby to make a huge difference! Just being present and supportive matters more than you know. 💕

💬 Tag someone who’s been your night-feed MVP, or share this with a partner who’s learning how to help!

10/16/2025

“Vacation + breastfeeding = totally doable! ☀️💦

You deserve a break and yes, you can enjoy it without stressing over feeding schedules or forgetting your pump parts. 😅

Here are a few easy tips to make breastfeeding while on vacation actually relaxing:
1️⃣ Pack a mini breastfeeding kit (pads, milk bags, snacks!)
2️⃣ Stay hydrated — seriously, water is your best travel buddy.
3️⃣ Don’t stress about feeding times — just follow your baby’s lead.
4️⃣ If you’re pumping, bring backup batteries or an adapter.

You’ve got this — memories > stress every time. 💛

💬 What’s your best breastfeeding travel hack? Share it below — let’s help more moms travel confidently!

Why this is my  #3 most important manual for lactation consultantsThese two titles hold a special place on my bookshelf ...
10/15/2025

Why this is my #3 most important manual for lactation consultants

These two titles hold a special place on my bookshelf because they speak for families whose stories are often overlooked. 💕

✨ Finding Sufficiency by Diana Cassar-Uhl, MPH, IBCLC, explores the complexities of insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), PCOS, insulin resistance, and BMI on milk production.

✨ Breastfeeding Without Birthing by Alyssa Schnell, MS, IBCLC, opens the world of induced lactation—where love, not pregnancy, drives the desire to nourish a baby with human milk.

Both books remind us that sometimes it’s not just about supply and demand—it’s about compassion, physiology, and creative solutions for every feeding journey. 🌸

💬 IBCLCs, what’s one book you think every lactation professional should read? Share your favorite below!

🍼 Manual vs. Electric Breast Pump — Which One Would You Choose? 🤔Parents in the USA get a LOT of ads for electric breast...
10/14/2025

🍼 Manual vs. Electric Breast Pump — Which One Would You Choose? 🤔

Parents in the USA get a LOT of ads for electric breast pumps... but did you know you've got a choice?

Here’s the truth: both can be amazing tools, it all depends on your goals, comfort, and routine.

💪 Manual Breast Pump:
✅ Great for occasional pumping or quick relief.
✅ Small, quiet, and travel-friendly.
✅ Gives you total control over suction and rhythm.
⚠️ Can be tiring for full-time use or exclusive pumping.

⚡ Electric Breast Pump:
✅ Ideal for frequent or exclusive pumpers (though some EPers still get more milk using a manual pump).
✅ Saves time and effort with consistent suction.
✅ Double pumps can help maintain supply.
⚠️ Louder, needs power, and can be bulkier for travel.

💡 Fun Fact: Most parents use both! Manual for quick sessions, and electric for regular pumping.

As an IBCLC, I want you to know that the *best* pump is the one that fits your lifestyle and supports your breastfeeding goals. 💕

👉 Share in the comments what do YOU prefer: manual or electric? Let’s see which team wins today! 💬

Is your breastfed baby struggling to gain weight? 😟 Here’s the truth about how to get MORE calories into your little one...
10/03/2025

Is your breastfed baby struggling to gain weight? 😟 Here’s the truth about how to get MORE calories into your little one (without the myths and confusion).

Parents are often told to “fortify” breastmilk with a teaspoon of powdered formula… but here’s the catch: that only adds about 11 calories to the entire bottle.

Meanwhile, just one ounce of breastmilk already has about 22 calories. 💡
So instead of adding powder, the much easier solution is often… more breastmilk.

✨ Every feeding journey is unique, and sometimes small tweaks can make a big difference in weight gain and growth.

💬 If you need support with milk supply, weight gain, or feeding struggles, drop the word “support” in the comments and I’ll send you the link to book a consultation with me. You don’t have to figure this out alone. 💕

🍼 Are you making these mistakes with your wearable breast pump? (Don’t worry—we’ve all been there!) ✨Wearable, hands-fre...
10/02/2025

🍼 Are you making these mistakes with your wearable breast pump? (Don’t worry—we’ve all been there!) ✨

Wearable, hands-free pumps can feel like freedom for busy parents… but they’re not totally “set it and forget it.” The way you use them makes ALL the difference. 💡

Here’s what I’ve learned from working with families:
✅ Do’s — start on low suction, use a snug bra, keep the pump upright, and always clean after use.
❌ Don’ts — skip sterilizing, pump while sleeping, ignore pain, or compare your output to someone else’s (your journey is YOURS 💕).

These small tweaks protect your comfort, your milk supply, and your sanity.

👉 Pumping parents: what’s your biggest Do or Don’t when it comes to wearable pumps? Drop it in the comments ⬇️ — let’s help each other pump smarter, not harder!

How much milk should a parent pump when they go back to work? 🤔 It’s the  #1 question IBCLCs hear about returning to wor...
10/01/2025

How much milk should a parent pump when they go back to work? 🤔 It’s the #1 question IBCLCs hear about returning to work- now you can answer it with confidence (and without doing math on the spot!).

My Back to Work Pumping Planning Sheet is a ready-to-use, customizable handout that:
✔️ Calculates daily milk needs & pumping goals
✔️ Works in Adobe Acrobat for automatic math
✔️ Can be printed or shared one-on-one with clients
✔️ Includes your name or business on the form for a polished, professional look

For just $29, you’ll have a tool that supports families again and again.

💡 Add it to your professional toolkit today and make back-to-work pumping easier for the families you serve.

👉 Comment “pumping sheet” below if you’re interested, and I’ll send you the link to get your copy!

💡 The Milk Supply Manual every IBCLC needs ( #2 on My List!)Increasing milk production is one of the most complicated ch...
09/29/2025

💡 The Milk Supply Manual every IBCLC needs ( #2 on My List!)

Increasing milk production is one of the most complicated challenges we face as lactation consultants, especially when someone's supply is low despite doing all the right things.

When families ask about low milk supply, we need more than reassurance. We need real tools backed by science. That’s why Making More Milk is my #2 most important textbook for lactation consultants.

This book doesn’t scare parents into thinking they won’t make enough milk. Instead, it:
✨ Starts with how lactation really works.
✨ Offers simple, step-by-step solutions.
✨ Then dives deep into every possible milk supply challenge from latch problems to pumping, galactogenic foods, and beyond.

It’s evidence-based, practical, and updated with the newest research. Honestly, it feels like a troubleshooting guide we should all keep within reach.

👉 Want my full list of the Top 10 most important books for IBCLCs? Comment “blog” below and I’ll send you the link!

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

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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.