Frequent breastfeeding and cluster feeding are often used interchangeably, creating confusion for parents. This educational blog will help parents clarify the differences between the two. What are the differences between frequent breastfeeding and cluster feeding before lactogenesis II for newborns? Frequent Feeding-Newborn babies feed frequently (every 2-3 hours) before lactogenesis II, the onset of copious milk production. Frequent feeding is expected and normal.  Cluster Feeding-Cluster feeding occurs after the arrival of lactogenesis II and is defined as a series of short feeding sess ..read more

Sandra Stephany Lozoya combo-feeding her babies In a world filled with parenting advice and conflicting messages, there emerges a beacon of wisdom and support – the upcoming release of the Fed Is Best book. Set to hit the shelves June 25, 2024, this transformative guide promises to navigate the intricate landscape of infant feeding choices, empowering parents with knowledge and judgment-free support. This highly anticipated book will reshape the conversation around infant nutrition, offering a comprehensive, science-backed, and inclusive perspective on the myriad ways families can safely and ..read more

  The answer is yes; ounces are counted after mixing the water and powdered formula.  Let’s talk about why. Calculating accurate total volume intake is important for all babies. Parents need to know how much their baby consumes to be sure they are trending accurately on their growth charts. If a parent is not calculating the formula mixture properly, they may unintentionally overfeed their baby, thinking they need more formula intake. Babies requiring careful intake calculation, such as preemies or medically complex babies, must account for accurate caloric intake for optimal growth ..read more

They tell you that if you prepare enough, breastfeeding will work. They tell you that all you need is support, commitment, and trust in your body, and you will be successful. If only it were that simple. What they don’t tell you is that your mammary biology can have limitations. I am that mom.  I knew I might have issues. I had breast reduction surgery back in 2001, but had been told that using the right technique would preserve my ability to breastfeed. Nonetheless, I set out preparing to ensure I would be successful. Besides doing yoga, pilates, weight training, and exercise, I e ..read more

Families are under enormous pressure to exclusively breastfeed from major health organizations such as the WHO, Baby-Friendly USA, CDC, AAP, ACOG, WIC offices, and the majority of US  hospitals.   The “Breast is Best” public health campaign has permeated US culture and influenced hospital policies; even though US families face impossible barriers to breastfeeding exclusively, the pressure remains, and it is up to families to meet the unattainable guidelines for the majority of families. By the way, there is no evidence that Baby-Friendly policies is effective for increasing lon ..read more

My name is Amber, and I am the mother of a charming, beautiful, and vivacious baby boy. I want to share with you a story: the story of my son’s birth and his first few months earthside. It is a multidimensional story full of love and heartbreak, but I think it’s important that other new mothers hear it. I hope they will know they are not alone if their early motherhood experiences are not what they always dreamed of. I was working in an emergency room as a nurse and heading into my second-to-last semester of school to become a nurse practitioner. My husband and I had only been trying to concei ..read more

  As a result of my traumatizing breastfeeding experience, I became an IBCLC. My goal as an RN and IBCLC is to help moms reach their feeding goals in a safe and evidence-based way and, most importantly, to ensure that babies are fed, not forced to go hungry, and to listen and believe moms when they say they are not making enough milk! After all, the number 1 rule in lactation is to feed the baby, but that rule no longer applies. The rule is to breastfeed exclusively, at all costs. That was the price my baby had to pay, and I am determined to change that.  I was just beginning my care ..read more

Fed is Best Breastfeeding Position and Latch Initiation    How to pick the best positions for you and your baby’s unique needs: Some common positions are described below. It is normal if this feels awkward at first. Think back to any other physical skill you have learned, like riding a bike. Breastfeeding is a learned skill. It requires practice until your muscle memory allows you to automatically do the necessary motions without thinking. Some positions may just not work for you for whatever reason. You don’t need to force it; just try a different position or get some guidance from ..read more

As a nurse, I knew I wanted to breastfeed my baby. I learned everything I could about breastfeeding, and I just knew that it would work for us. In nursing school, we were told that anyone could breastfeed who wanted to and I believed it. I would not even consider the possibility of feeding my children in any way other than nursing and was extremely judgmental of anyone who did not breastfeed their children. I honestly thought they were lazy, selfish, and unwilling to do the work.  I lived by the mantra that “breast is best!” My son was born, and I was so excited to meet him and begin our ..read more

I didn’t have the easiest pregnancy; for one thing, I was considered a geriatric pregnancy, given that medicine was my second career, and I waited until after residency to get pregnant.  I also have a history of depression and anxiety; thankfully, my depression was under control during pregnancy, but my anxiety certainly wasn’t – it worsened when I learned I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (likely due mainly to my advanced maternal age).  In my mental preparations to have my baby, there was one thing I was always sure of: I would certainly attempt to breastfeed my child, but ..read more