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LALactation When nature needs nurtured. Just as every birth story is unique, so is every breastfeeding journey. Select insurance accepted

Having the most epic time speaking at the Placer Lactation conference in Roseville, CA with the AMAZING Catherine Watson...
11/06/2026

Having the most epic time speaking at the Placer Lactation conference in Roseville, CA with the AMAZING Catherine Watson Genna. The conference has had such a nice flow to it. Loving hanging out with Anneke Valles IBCLC, M. Ed. and Diana Solomon, IBCLC in person and seeing people like Cristi | NICU Feeding + Lactation + Speech + Infant Massage attend virtually!!

11/04/2026

Not all pumps are created equal. And not every user will respond the same to every pump.

Primary pumps like the Unimom Opera+, Spectra S1/2/Syngery Gold, Medela Symphony/Sonata are your first line of pumping power. They are quality pumps with good motors and variable settings that can bring in, increase and maintain supplies. Not all primary pumps are good pumps (I’m looking at you, Medela Pump in Style and Ardo Calypso).

Portable pumps like the Pumpables Genie Advanced or Baby Buddha (my preferred portables) work well for many, but the smaller the pump, the smaller the motor. And some of the settings on portable pumps will work for many, but not most. Portable pumps like the Medela Freestyle, Freemie, Zomee Z2 again can do ok for maintaining an established supply, but don’t substitute primary pumps for pumping with a NICU baby or for increasing supply for many. And portables like the Elvie Stride and Spectra Synergy Gold Portable are not even to be mentioned for the majority of pumpers. They work for only a select few who can trigger a let down to any pump IMO

Wearables always need to be used with caution. They tend to leave milk behind and have a higher “malfunction” rate where we see less milk and more discomfort. Leaving milk behind means supply will eventually decrease. They are meant to keep milk moving in between breastfeeding sessions (for stashing) or for adding in additional pumps between primary pump use for ON THE GO. My current favorite wearables are the Ardo Melia, eufy s1, Mommed S21. The MomCozy M5 or S12pro are fine for many but I don’t like most of their current wearables. Willow and Elvie wearables have the highest user error and damage that I’ve seen from wearables, but when they work well, people do love their convenience.

What pump have you found to be a strawberry and which are a mushy mess? There is no one size fits all and remember: everyone will respond differently to different pumps. Having the correct fl**ge is essential with any pump.

11/04/2026

Your baby’s saliva is a natural lubricant that reduces friction while breastfeeding. The same concept can be applied while pumping by using a pump spray. Because your n!pple rubbing on hard plastic is not demure nor mindful.

If you’re pumping regularly, you know that friction can be a real issue. Using a pumping spray or coconut oil can help reduce discomfort and make your sessions more efficient by creating a smoother glide for your pump fl**ges.

🛍 Store-Bought vs. Homemade

•Commercial Pumping Sprays are designed specifically for pumping, often water-based, non-greasy, and easy to apply. They come in convenient spray bottles for quick use.
•Coconut Oil is a great natural alternative. It’s affordable, widely available, and can also help moisturize the skin. Just be sure to use organic, unrefined coconut oil for a pure, baby-safe option. Make sure to scrub off with hot, soapy water after each pump session.

If pumping is painful or your ni***es are rubbing and hurting even with spray, you most likely have the wrong size fl**ges.

💡 Pro Tip: If you go the DIY route, make sure to store your coconut oil in a clean container and apply a thin layer around the fl**ge rim for the best comfort!

Which one do you prefer? Commercial or DIY? Let us know below! ⬇️ The one in the video is the spray from

11/04/2026

What milk collector do I pick? Depends on your breast size and shape, how much milk you leak, and what your goal is!

Which one do you use?

11/04/2026

I posted this a few years ago and I’m starting to hear about my November prenatal moms having their OBs plan inductions and c-sections the week prior to thanksgiving. This was worth a repost gearing up to this holiday season.

Scheduled Induction at 38 Weeks to avoid holiday birthdates: Let’s Talk About Breastfeeding! ✨

Did you know that early scheduled inductions (before 39 weeks) can impact breastfeeding outcomes? 🤱 Here’s why:

🌱 Baby’s Readiness Matters: Babies born at 38 weeks may face challenges with latch and feeding coordination, as they’re still fine-tuning these skills in the womb without an expectation to take in volume for growth

💤 Sleepier Babies: Babies born even slightly early often sleep more and feed less, which can make it harder to establish your milk supply. They can be difficult to wake for feeding and then sleep at the breast, needing to be fed by bottle after to ensure intake (triple feed)

⚖️ Higher Risk of Supplementation: These challenges can lead to increased formula use, which may impact long-term breastfeeding success

🍼 Pump for Success: If your baby isn’t feeding efficiently, you may need to pump early and often to stimulate your milk supply and ensure baby gets enough nourishment. Having the right pump and CORRECT fl**ge size are critical, but many are given the wrong information in the hospital about both

While induction is sometimes medically necessary, it’s important to understand realistic expectations for breastfeeding to help reach your goals. Many babies born around 38 weeks will need several additional weeks of support for them to figure out how to breastfeed and in the mean time, pumping and bottle feeding play a supportive role to get you both to that goal 💕



Did your healthcare provider push for a scheduled induction around the holidays?

For at least the first 3 months, babies typically only drink 65-80% of the milk that is in the breast at any given feedi...
11/04/2026

For at least the first 3 months, babies typically only drink 65-80% of the milk that is in the breast at any given feeding. You body knows it has a young baby that is going through many growth spurts and cluster feedings. This milk may easily leak during let down while feeding your baby. You may also be able to pump additional milk after feeding. This is the time that a passive milk collector or passive breast pump may come in handy to collect that extra milk for feeding back to the baby or stashing away for another time. Remember it is normal to see the leaking milk slow and decrease with time as your body becomes more efficient at making milk. Around 3-4 months, the body figures out how much milk baby is consistently taking and your baby’s overall growth slows. Many will start to notice less leaking overall as well as less milk being able to be pumped after or between feedings. This is normal and a sign your body is more efficient at making milk.

11/04/2026

Pinch those vents.

11/04/2026

Baby sneezes are cute and have a purpose!!

11/04/2026

Did you know you can feed a newborn with a tiny cup? 🥛

Cup feeding is an often-overlooked way to offer breast milk to a newborn, particularly when direct breastfeeding isn't possible or a baby needs a little extra help getting those early feeds.

Newborns have the ability to lap milk from the edge of a small open cup using their tongue. It's a feeding skill that can be used from birth because they’re using the same skills needed to feed from the breast!

Why might we use cup feeding?
•When a newborn is temporarily unable to latch at the breast.
•When a baby needs expressed colostrum or breast milk while working on breastfeeding
•When supplementing is necessary and a family wants to use an alternative to a bottle.
•When a baby is separated from their mother or needs an alternative feeding method during a transition.

How do you cup feed a newborn?
•Hold your baby upright, with their head and neck well supported
•Use a small, clean medicine cup or purpose-made infant feeding cup.
•Place the rim of the cup gently against your baby's lower lip.
•Tilt the cup just enough for the milk to touch their lips.
•Allow your baby to lap or sip the milk at their own pace.

Here is the really important part: DO NOT POUR THE MILK INTO YOUR BABY'S MOUTH.
Your baby should be actively lapping the milk from the cup. They should control the pace of feeding rather than having milk poured into their mouth. Pouring milk can increase the risk of choking and aspiration.

A few things to remember:
Babies may be messy learners! Some milk will inevitably end up on their chin or bib.
Cup feeding requires an awake, alert baby with appropriate positioning.
It takes practice, and not every baby will immediately take to it.

Cup feeding isn't necessarily “better” than bottle feeding, it’s an alternative that has good evidenced based research to support breastfeeding. The cup can help prevent over feeding and a preference for a bottle when breast is the long term goal. Some babies need a different feeding method based on their gestational age, coordination, medical history, or feeding skills.

Cup feeding is not just for older babies learning to drink from an open cup. It can be used with newborns, too!

Did you know this was an option for newborns?

11/04/2026

Oral motor work with a 4 month old looks very different from suck training with a newborn. Babies at this age are engaging in cause and effect and are volitionally learning to control their mouth instead of just reflexively moving the tongue and jaw.

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Los Angeles, CA
90254

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Thursday 8am - 6pm
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