Recently, breastfeeding support counselors who intend to qualify for the IBCLE exam through Pathway 1 have expressed much frustration and confusion over IBLCE’s new clinical hour requirements. As an IBCLC certificant, and as a long-term provider of CERPs, I’ve often Read more…
It seems that everywhere you go, you encounter smoke. It might be from traditional cigarette smoke or the often-sweet smelling smoke from vaping. It’s not surprising. An estimated 34.3 million adults in the US smoke cigarettes and more than 9 Read more…
People who object to the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) often think that 100% of babies must be breastfed. That’s just not true. Although an effective hospital policy specifies ideal outcomes and actions, it also specifies desirable or at least acceptable Read more…
We Americans have learned to think that bigger is better. Bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger servings of food. (For instance, have you ever been in a fast-food restaurant where the smallest size drink was a medium?) I sometimes hear that Read more…
Sometimes, others give us information that we assume to be true. We don’t always hunt up the primary information source, or talk to the author of research studies. I’ve done both! Erica Gunderson, PhD, MPH, RD, is the author of Read more…
Have you failed the IBLCE Exam? Don’t give up — you can still pass it! We often get phone calls from people who have failed the IBLCE Exam. They’re stunned and almost always say they aren’t sure why they didn’t Read more…
Let’s assume you decide to have an alcoholic drink. I discussed alcohol and breastfeeding in a previous post, as well as discussing whether beer actually helps milk supply. There are several ways you can minimize the effects of the alcohol Read more…
How many US-based breastfeeding mothers are expressing their milk? The Infant Feeding Practices Study (IFPS) reported that among breastfeeding mothers of young infants (aged 1.5 to 4.5 months) about 85% expressed milk regularly — and often for an extended period Read more…
Here in the United States, authorities warn against having even one alcoholic drink during pregnancy. That’s not the case during breastfeeding. Certainly, having no alcohol eliminates certain risks. But many mothers long for an occasional social drink, and they deserve Read more…
I cannot count how many mothers have said, “My mother fed me formula and I grew just fine.” No argument there. But is growth the only outcome any of us are hoping for? Before you give your baby formula, consider Read more…