Shelly Taft LPN, IBCLC

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Worcester, MA
Shelly Taft LPN, IBCLC

1:1 breastfeeding support, online prenatal classes, sleep education coaching from Shelly Taft, LPN a

I'm a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Doula, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Based in Worcester County, MA, I've been supporting new families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 2007. I know that every parent is different, so I don't believe in a cookie-cutter approach to lactation help. I will work with you to develop a breastfeeding plan that works for your life and your family. I've supported more than a thousand families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and I'd be honored to help you, too.

01/28/2026

Sleep challenges can leave parents feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure.

I offer gentle, developmentally appropriate sleep support that meets you where you are - without pressure, fear, or rigid rules.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Support can change everything. 🤍

📩 DM me to learn more.

01/27/2026

If your baby only sleeps on you right now, please hear this:
You are not creating bad habits.
You are meeting a biological need.
Newborns crave warmth, safety, and closeness especially in the early weeks. Independent sleep will come in time.

For now, connection is the goal. 🤍

01/26/2026

You don’t need to “push through” exhaustion to be a good parent.
With the right support, sleep can feel more manageable - and parenting can feel less heavy.

If you’re ready for gentle guidance that respects your baby and your values, I’m here.

🤍 Link in bio or send me a message to get started.

01/22/2026

If your newborn isn’t sleeping in long stretches, I want you to know this:
Nothing is wrong.
Not with your baby.
Not with you.

Newborn sleep is naturally light, frequent, and unpredictable. It’s designed that way for safety and feeding—not to test your limits.
You’re not doing anything wrong.

You’re learning your baby. 🤍

01/21/2026

You may hear a lot about wake windows but here’s the gentle truth:
They’re a guide, not a rule.
Some days your baby needs more sleep.
Some days they need more connection.
Both are normal.
Sleep cues matter more than strict timing.

Trust your baby and yourself. 🤍

01/16/2026

As new parents, we sometimes tell ourselves we should be able to do it all.

That asking for help means we’re failing… or not strong enough.

But the truth is, no one is meant to do this alone.

Every new parent needs support. Rest. Encouragement. Extra hands.

And there is absolutely no shame in asking for help, especially from the people in your life who truly show up and make things lighter, not heavier.

You deserve care too.
You’re not weak for needing help; you’re human. 🤍

01/15/2026

We say we’re sorry…but truthfully, this is the kind of “sorry” that comes from growth, clarity, and confidence.

Sorry that once you understand your baby’s cues, feeding no longer feels like something to power through.

Sorry that you now expect feeding to feel supported, responsive, and intentional.

Sorry that “just skipping a feed” doesn’t sit right anymore, and that infant sleep suddenly makes more sense.

And we’re especially sorry to workplaces everywhere… because you now show up knowing your pumping breaks matter, your milk supply is worth protecting, and your needs are not optional.

What we’re not sorry for?

Helping you feel calmer. More confident. More connected to your baby.

Questioning yourself less and trusting what you already know more.

We’re honored to support you as you feed your baby, care for yourself, and navigate this season with knowledge instead of guesswork every single day.

💛 Your IBCLC Support Team

01/13/2026

🌙 How often should my baby eat at night?

If your baby wakes frequently at night to eat, you are not doing anything wrong.

Night feedings are biologically normal and play an important role in growth, brain development, and maintaining milk supply, especially in the first year of life.

Feeding overnight is not a habit you created or something that needs to be “fixed.” These wakings are driven by your baby’s developing nervous system, small stomach size, and rapid growth. Many babies continue to wake overnight for feeds, comfort, or connection well beyond infancy and that is developmentally appropriate.

✨ If you’ve ever worried that your baby is a “bad sleeper,” I invite you to read my blog post:

“Why You Shouldn’t Label Your Baby a ‘Bad Sleeper’” – Shelly Taft, IBCLC

💬 Comment “Blog post” and I’ll send you the link 🤍

01/12/2026

🤱🍼 Combo feeding can support breastfeeding—when it’s done with intention.

Feeding both breast milk and formula doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your breastfeeding goals. With the right guidance, you can nourish your baby, protect your milk supply, and feel confident in your feeding choices.

Every baby and every family is different, which is why combination feeding should never be one-size-fits-all. A personalized plan makes all the difference 🤍

✨ If you’re unsure how to approach combo feeding in a way that works for you, I can help.

💬 Comment “COMBO” and I’ll share how personalized, evidence-based support can make this journey feel clearer and more confident.

01/09/2026

🌙 When will my baby sleep longer stretches?

Longer sleep stretches come with time and nervous system maturity. Progress is not linear, and changes are common during growth spurts, developmental leaps, or illness. You are not doing anything wrong 🤍

It’s also normal and healthy for babies to need overnight feeds throughout the first year of life. Night waking supports growth, brain development, calorie intake, hydration, and milk supply regulation. Many children will continue to wake overnight—sometimes briefly, sometimes for comfort or reassurance—well into the toddler and preschool years, and this is developmentally appropriate.

Needing support at night is not a sign of bad habits, failed routines, or poor parenting. It’s a sign of a developing nervous system doing exactly what it’s meant to do.

✨ If you’re feeling worried about your baby’s sleep or wondering whether what you’re seeing is “normal,” I invite you to read my blog post:

“Why You Shouldn’t Label Your Baby a ‘Bad Sleeper’” — Shelly Taft, IBCLC

💬 And if you’d like personalized reassurance or support navigating infant sleep alongside feeding, I can help.

Comment “STRETCHES” and I’ll share how we can work together.

01/08/2026

🤱 Is it okay if my baby nurses to sleep?

Yes. Nursing to sleep is comforting, regulating, and developmentally appropriate—especially in the early months. Feeding is about more than nutrition; it’s connection, reassurance, and nervous system support.

For many babies, nursing to sleep helps them feel safe and supported as they transition into rest. This is not a bad habit or something you’ve done wrong. It’s a biologically normal way babies co-regulate with their caregivers 🤍

✨ Want to understand the benefits and common concerns around nursing to sleep?

Read my blog post:

“Is Nursing Baby to Sleep Safe? Understanding the Pros and Cons” — Shelly Taft, IBCLC

👉 Link in bio

💬 And if you’re unsure how to approach feeding—including combo feeding—in a way that works for you and your baby, I can help.

Comment “SUPPORT” and I’ll share how personalized, evidence-based guidance can align sleep and feeding with your values.

01/07/2026

If your baby is in the early weeks, waking to feed can be important especially if weight gain is still being established. Once your baby is growing well, many families can begin to follow their baby’s lead.

This is not about doing it “right.” It’s about meeting your baby’s needs in this season.

Feeding needs change, babies change, and support makes a difference 🤍

✨ If you’re unsure whether to wake your baby to feed or when it’s okay to let them sleep, I invite you to read my blog post:

“Sleeping Babies: To Wake or Not to Wake?” — Shelly Taft, IBCLC

💬 And if you’re unsure how to approach feeding—including combo feeding—in a way that works for you and your baby, I can help.

Comment “GUIDANCE” and I’ll share how personalized, evidence-based support can support your feeding goals.

Address

218 Shrewsbury Street
Worcester, MA
01604

Telephone

+15082037797

Website

https://www.shellytaftibclc.com/

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