Ashley Robinson, Author at Ashley Robinson https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com CT & NYC Based Lactation Consultant Tue, 07 Nov 2023 04:51:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7 Breakthrough Breastfeeding Research https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/09/10/breakthrough-breastfeeding-research/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=breakthrough-breastfeeding-research https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/09/10/breakthrough-breastfeeding-research/#respond Sun, 10 Sep 2023 20:13:38 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=965 Breastfeeding, a natural and long-standing practice, has gained significant attention recently as researchers have delved deeper into its incredible benefits and complexities. Through rigorous scientific inquiry, breakthrough

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Breaskthrough Breastfeeding Research by Ashley Robinson

The post Breakthrough Breastfeeding Research appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/09/10/breakthrough-breastfeeding-research/feed/ 0 Navigating Common Breastfeeding Challenges https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/08/28/navigating-common-breastfeeding-challenges/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=navigating-common-breastfeeding-challenges https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/08/28/navigating-common-breastfeeding-challenges/#respond Mon, 28 Aug 2023 13:50:35 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=957 Navigating Common Breastfeeding Challenges by Ashley Robinson

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Navigating Common Breastfeeding Challenges by Ashley Robinson

The post Navigating Common Breastfeeding Challenges appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/08/28/navigating-common-breastfeeding-challenges/feed/ 0 Nutrition Beyond the 1st Year https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/08/20/nutrition-beyond-the-1st-year/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nutrition-beyond-the-1st-year https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/08/20/nutrition-beyond-the-1st-year/#respond Sun, 20 Aug 2023 23:03:21 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=951 Benefits/Challenges with BF Toddlers by Ashley Robinson

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Benefits/Challenges with BF Toddlers by Ashley Robinson

The post Nutrition Beyond the 1st Year appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/08/20/nutrition-beyond-the-1st-year/feed/ 0 Importance of Nutrition During Breastfeeding https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/05/14/importance-of-nutrition-during-breastfeeding/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=importance-of-nutrition-during-breastfeeding Sun, 14 May 2023 21:41:16 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=941 Importance of Nutrition During Breastfeeding by Ashley Robinson

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Importance of Nutrition During Breastfeeding by Ashley Robinson

The post Importance of Nutrition During Breastfeeding appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> How to Support a Mother as a Father of a Breastfed Baby! https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/05/02/how-to-support-a-mother-as-a-father-of-a-breastfed-baby/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-support-a-mother-as-a-father-of-a-breastfed-baby https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/05/02/how-to-support-a-mother-as-a-father-of-a-breastfed-baby/#respond Wed, 03 May 2023 00:36:40 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=928 Fatherss Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers by Ashley Robinson

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Fatherss Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers by Ashley Robinson

The post How to Support a Mother as a Father of a Breastfed Baby! appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/05/02/how-to-support-a-mother-as-a-father-of-a-breastfed-baby/feed/ 0 Benefits of Working with a Lactation Consultant https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/04/20/924/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=924 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/04/20/924/#respond Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:19:12 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=924 Copy of Schedule by Ashley Robinson

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Copy of Schedule by Ashley Robinson

The post Benefits of Working with a Lactation Consultant appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2023/04/20/924/feed/ 0 My IBCLC Story https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2022/10/15/my-ibclc-story/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-ibclc-story Sun, 16 Oct 2022 03:48:24 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=785 Ever since I was a child, I had a calling to teach and work with children. While I did not see this at first, it was my preschool teacher that said I would be working with children one day when I was older.

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The post My IBCLC Story appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> Breastfeeding with Siblings https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2022/10/10/breastfeeding-with-siblings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=breastfeeding-with-siblings Tue, 11 Oct 2022 01:30:00 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=774 Breastfeeding with Siblings Tips for breastfeeding your newborns with siblings at home.  Are you currently a breastfeeding mom with a toddler running around that needs to be entertained 24/7 and a newborn that needs to […]

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Breastfeeding with Siblings

Tips for breastfeeding your newborns with siblings at home. 

Are you currently a breastfeeding mom with a toddler running around that needs to be entertained 24/7 and a newborn that needs to breastfeed? As a lactation consultant, lately, I have been working with many families that had “early pandemic babies.” What I mean by this is babies that were born in late 2019 or early 2020. Now that these babies are toddlers, these families are having baby #2. I don’t know about you, but I have a somewhat pandemic baby, and let me tell you, he is a little crazy. These pandemic babies are something else. Anyways, back to the point of the post… Being a mom is two and working with other families, here are some tips and tricks to entertaining your toddler while breastfeeding your newborn. We all know newborns nurse very frequently, way more frequently than your toddler would like.

Tip #1

Before delivery, if your partner has family leave after the baby arrives, plan some fun activities for your partner and your toddler to do together. This will help give you a little breast that you may need from your now very needy toddler. 

Tip #2:

Make a breastfeeding basket! There are some cute diaper-changing baskets on amazon, like this one, that can be turned into a breastfeeding basket. The purpose of the breastfeeding basket is to have a couple of things you may need for breastfeeding, like nursing pads, or nipple cream, along with a water bottle or snack. Here is how you can get your toddler involved while nursing your infant. In the basket, also include your toddler’s favorite snack, a special toy, book or activity that they can do next to you in a chair or on the couch. If you make the breastfeeding basket light enough for your toddler to carry, you can sit down and get comfortable to nurse and have your toddler retrieve the basket. When I was nursing my son, I had a breastfeeding basket, and my daughter loved “reading” to him (she had no idea how to read but was good at making up stories). She would also be excited because I would put her favorite snacks in there, and she only got them during nursing times (at the very beginning). 

Tip #3

Be prepared for them to want to be in your lap as well when you are nursing your infant. You can hug them with your free arm and explain what you are doing with their sibling. Having some extra pillows may help to make yourself more comfortable if you are nursing and snuggling at the same time. Remember that this is a transitional time for your entire family. This will take some time but know that when it comes to breastfeeding, most moms are just as successful, if not more successful, after your first baby. With your second baby, your comfort level has increased, your milk comes in faster and more abundant, and you know a little more about what to expect. 

 

The post Breastfeeding with Siblings appeared first on Ashley Robinson.]]> Nipple Shields: Pro’s and Con’s https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/2022/08/04/nipple-shields-pros-and-cons/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nipple-shields-pros-and-cons Fri, 05 Aug 2022 02:58:41 +0000 https://www.ashleyrobinsonibclc.com/?p=628   Nipple Shields A nipple shield can be seen in use with the two photos seen in this blog post. A nipple shield is a thin piece of flexible silicone with a protruding tip that […]

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Nipple Shields

A nipple shield can be seen in use with the two photos seen in this blog post. A nipple shield is a thin piece of flexible silicone with a protruding tip that resembles a nipple and has a couple small holes in the end. There are some pro’s and con’s when it comes to using a nipple shield. The most important question to ask is ‘Do the positives outweigh the negatives?’

So what are the reasons that you may be considering using a nipple shield? Most moms consider using a nipple shield if they have flat or inverted nipples, sore or painful nipples, over abundant milk supply, or reasons such as anatomy differences (nipple too big, infants mouth too small). Some other reasons, that a lactation consultant can help you determine, would be things like tongue tie, receding jaw, high palate, premie baby, etc. 

 

Things to Consider

If you are considering using a nipple shield, here are some things to think about before you start. Am I using this because of an anatomy issue? Am I using this because of an inefficient suck? Am I having nipple pain and breakdown? If your answer it yes, it would be recommended to work with a lactation consultant and ensure that the fit and use is appropriate. 

Are you considering using a nipple shield because you want the baby to improve their milk intake or improve the healing of your nipples? In these cases, you could use a nipple shield to make the breastfeeding experience a little more enjoyable but you are not working to solve the root of the problem. If you have a low milk supply, a nipple shield will not help to increase the supply. If you have cracks, bleeding, or scabbing on your nipples, a nipple shield may help you to heal, but it will not help you to solve the issue that created the breakdown on your nipples. 

When using a nipple shield there are different sizes and shapes to consider as well. Sizing is similar to your flange sizing for your breast pump. However, it is important to keep baby in mind as well. The nipple shield should match both mom and baby’s anatomy. Here is where hands on help from a lactation consultant can come in handy. There are also ways for your infant to be supplemented through the nipple shield if they are needing to be supplemented with breastmilk or formula. 

Conclusion

If you are considering a nipple shield, it can be very helpful to get the baby back to the breast and/or happy at the breast, however, it is very wise to consult with a lactation consultant to get to the root of the problem as a nipple shield should be looked at as a temporary band-aid. 

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Snacking & Breastfeeding

It is very important, as a breastfeeding mom, to be taking in enough calories throughout the day to make adequate milk for your little. One way I did this was to snack while I was breastfeeding my son. Sometimes it was hard, depending on the food. So… I have pulled together some of my favorite recipes that I used to help keep my belly (and breasts) full 🙂

The great thing about these two recipes below is their versatility. You do not need to stick to the exact ingredients in these recipes. You can add different fruit, different nut butter, or sweeteners. They are also very quick, easy, and most importantly, SIMPLE to make. As a first-time mom or a mom with a newborn and a toddler, finding time to eat can be a challenge so these may be a great go-to for you to ensure that you are eating and taking in enough calories to produce milk. 

 

 

 

Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

These are one of my go-to breakfast or snacks throughout the day. They are very easy to make and if you have a well-balanced diet, these are things that you may typically have in your house. 

The benefit of this type of “snack” is that it has over 6g of protein, the oats, chia seed, flax seed and strawberries have properties that help with milk production. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Bites (Boobie Bites)

These Energy Bites, or as some call Boobie Bites, are a nice pick me up when you are getting into the swing of being a new mom. This recipe is also very versatile, you can sub agave for the honey, add m&m’s instead of mini chocolate chips, add chia seed or flax seed, and sub out the peanut butter for any kind of nut butter, etc. 

The benefit of this type of “snack” is that it’s quick to make, easy to snack on while breastfeeding, and is packed with milk-making foods (oats, brewer’s yeast, coconut, peanut butter). The only caution with this recipe is Brewer’s yeast. This is a supplement and you should speak with your primary care physician before taking it. 

How Many Calories and What Food Groups?

Check out this MyPlate tool to see what your daily dietary intake should look like when you are breastfeeding. 

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