Loudoun Lactation

Lactation Consultant serving Loudoun County and Northern Virginia

Author: Demi

  • Tips On Obtaining Clinical Hours As a Student IBCLC

    Demi

    For all student IBCLCs, clinical hours must be obtained as part of the prerequisite for sitting for the exam! This often proves to be the most challenging part for many IBCLC students. The IBLCE decision map is the best tool in determining which pathway is best for you: https://iblce.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Which-IBLCE-Pathway-is-Right-for-Me.pdf From there I would look into… Read more

  • The Best Lactation Cookie Recipe

    Demi

    This question is certainly in the top 5 list of questions I get asked as a lactation consultant! “Do (lactation cookies, gatorade, etc) increase milk supply?” As simple as it would be to eat a cookie and end up with the milk supply of our dreams, unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. As milk supply… Read more

  • How do I know if a medication is safe while breastfeeding?

    How do I know if a medication is safe while breastfeeding?

    Demi

    Consuming any substance and breastfeeding is worth ensuring the safety of use and compatibility while breastfeeding. Fun fact: Most common medications (OTC and Prescription Grade) are compatible with breastfeeding. However, many physicians are not comfortable guaranteeing that to families or educating based on old knowledge of the efficacy when new studies come out often to… Read more

  • How to treat thrush (yeast) during breastfeeding

    How to treat thrush (yeast) during breastfeeding

    Demi

    Hi y’all! If you’ve landed on this post, welcome. In this article we are going to discuss what thrush is, symptoms and current at-home treatments (2021) for thrush in the breastfeeding mother and baby. What is thrush? Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast. That gnarly beast that can plague us in the warm, dark, camp… Read more

  • Weaning from the Nipple Shield

    Weaning from the Nipple Shield

    Demi

    Welcome! This post will provide a simple step-by-step on weaning from the nipple shield. This can be done at any point and it is completely possible to teach baby to breastfeed directly without it even if they have been using the nipple shield from day 1. With a little skill work, practice, patience and grit… Read more

  • How to get reimbursed for your IBCLC Home Visit

    How to get reimbursed for your IBCLC Home Visit

    Demi

    Hey there! Chances are if you’ve landed on this page your insurance has declined to provide coverage at an in-network level for my services. *Ugh* I know, not ideal and not fun. Especially when you are learning to breastfeed and running on little sleep. In these circumstances patients will typically schedule an appointment with me… Read more

  • What is the Golden Hour after birth?

    What is the Golden Hour after birth?

    Demi

    Fun fact about me: I *love* prenatal appointments with my patients. Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly not because they are any easier before baby arrives. I get so excited to meet with families who are actively preparing for breastfeeding by setting up their prenatal consultation and meeting their local IBCLC. There are just so… Read more