Bottlefeeding
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Bottle refusal is incredibly hard for breastfeeding parents. Learn how to help your baby take a bottle, and what to do if they won’t.

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Bottlefeeding
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Introducing bottles to breastfed babies doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. Here are the simple steps, with examples of good and bad bottle latches.

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Bottlefeeding
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Let’s say you’re breastfeeding and you really want to use bottles sometimes, too. How on earth are you supposed to pick a bottle to even start with if every company has similar claims and the boogeyman of “nipple confusion” is lurking around every corner?

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blog header stating why sleep training and breastfeeding don't mix
Breastfeeding Facts
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

I know many of you are bombarded by Facebook ads for different baby sleep “programs”, or your friends gave you sleep books before your baby was born, or your boss or co-worker swears by a certain method. Sleep is a big deal. I get it, I really do. Before I was a lactation consultant I worked full-time while all 3 of my kids were breastfeeding. My commute was 1 hour each way, I was exhausted, I know how much your baby’s sleep can make or break your day. I have been there. I do not blame ANY parent for needing or wanting more sleep, ever.

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Breastfeeding Tips
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Every single day (not an exaggeration) parents ask me about pumping.  They want to know how to start pumping, how to schedule

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nipple shield
Breastfeeding Tips
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Originally posted 2/1/2016;  updated 7/12/2020   I have a theory about nipple shield distribution, and it’s based on the large number of

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chestfeeding
Chestfeeding
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

2021 note to readers This blog post has been getting quite a bit of traffic lately due to a clickbait fake news

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skin-to-skin
Breastfeeding Tips
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

When I work with families, I spend a lot of time customizing a care plan that will best help them meet their

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baby feeling left out of the PSL love? You too can make a pumpkin spice breastmilk latte that your baby will love!
Breastfeeding Tips
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

It’s been 15 years since Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte, and for better to for worse, Americans are generally obsessed with

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newly born baby laying on mom's chest; title says "8 truths you need to know before your baby is born"
Breastfeeding Tips
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

We, as a society, do a craptastic job of preparing families for baby’s first couple weeks of life. The families I see

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IBCLC health insurance
IBCLC
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

If you’ve done any research into pregnancy or breastfeeding in the United States in the past few years, it’s likely you’re aware

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how to gently night wean your baby, a step-by-step guide
Breastfeeding Tips
Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Thinking about night weaning your baby?  Many older babies still nurse for comfort overnight but may not necessarily still need the calories. 

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Hi, I'm Rachel!

I'm a private practice lactation consultant (IBCLC) with my masters degree in human lactation. When I'm not helping breastfeeding & chestfeeding families in MetroWest Massachusetts, or writing blogs for parents AND other lactation professionals, I'm hanging with my three kids and/or indulging in my love of drag queens. Learn more about me by clicking here!

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