If you’re a mom planning to breastfeed, you’re probably wondering what you MUST HAVE in your hospital bag to support your breastfeeding goals. As a lactation consultant and mom of 5, I’ll always believe that the ONLY thing you need is patience, love, and healthy breasts. But the reality can be far more complicated. As someone who has given birth 5 times and bought all the unnecessary things and then learned how to be a newborn-minimalist, and someone who has helped countless mothers navigate...

Breastfeeding Prep: Why Writing “Breastfeeding” on Your Birth Plan Is Not Enough If you are pregnant and planning to breastfeed, you have probably been told the same things over and over. Put skin-to-skin on your birth plan. Choose a baby friendly hospital. Write “no formula unless medically necessary.” And while none of these are wrong, they are not enough. In fact, relying on them alone can leave you more vulnerable and unprepared when challenges arise. Because when you hand your birth plan...

If you’re pregnant or newly postpartum, you may already be worrying about returning to work while breastfeeding.You might be wondering: Will my baby refuse the bottle? Will my milk supply drop? What if breastfeeding gets harder when I go back to work? You are not alone. One of the most common fears I hear from moms is that going back to work will ruin their breastfeeding journey. But here’s the truth : you do not have to choose between your career and your breastfeeding goals. You just need...