Breastfeeding Questions

Want to ask a lactation consultant your breastfeeding questions?

I am here for online breastfeeding help. I'm a real person. A real nurse. A real international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).

You have several options:
1.Submit a question (see bottom of this page)
2. Phone Consultations
3. Facebook page for Mom to Mom support

So often, when you search a topic about breastfeeding online, you receive odd advice. Perhaps it was advice from another mom or a nurse or even a doctor. Does it always mean it is the best advice? no. Quite often it is experiential. Meaning, it worked for them so they are telling their story. This is a great way to find SUPPORT online but not the best way to find expert support. I aim to offer easily accessible CREDIBLE breastfeeding support. But this support IN NO WAY is medical advice nor should it take the place of consulting a physician. I am a board certified lactation consultant and mom of two breastfed girls so I have both personal and professional experience to glean from in answering your questions.

Check out our questions archive:

Newborn Breast feeding Questions archive

Low Milk Supply Questions archive

Breastfeeding Infections or Injury archive

Extended Breastfeeding archive

Induced Lactation/ Adoptive Breastfeeding archive

BreastPump questions archive

General Breast feeding questions archive

All questions are answered by a Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant. (questions submitted without a email address and duplicate questions will not be answered)

I will make every attempt to answer the questions within 3 business days, if you have an urgent issue please choose the chat or phone consultation option.

Submit your breastfeeding question:

Must include your email address on confirmation page. Duplicate questions will not be answered. Urgent questions should be addressed via chat or phone consult.

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Other visitors questions answered below:

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Baby reluctant to to wean 
Hello, my baby is 7 and a half maths old and is resolutely not interested in solids. We have very gently been offering her small amounts, but she doesn't …

Relactating after 8 months  
Hi, I regretfully stopped using breast milk completely by the time my daughter was only 3 months old. I stopped for a combination of reasons but none …

Used Breastpump question 
I am planning to breastfeed, and my friend gave me her breast pump. It is a Medela pump in style. I have been told to get the replacement parts, and …

Can I get my supply back? 
My son is 6 months old. I breast fed him until 3 months and then started to wean him off. I started to feel really guilty about it especially with the …

Mother Nature! 
Hello- Typically I have no issue with supply. EXCEPT when it is that time of the month. My supply doesn't drop for a couple days, it drops for over a …

Taking Shakeology while Breastfeeding? 
I have been breastfeeding for 6 weeks. Now that I have gotten the release from my doctor I will be doing the Insanity workout to help get me back in shape. …

3 month old won't stay latched 
My baby is 3 months now and up until this point we haven't had any real problems other than my inverted nipple on the left side and forceful letdown on …

Detox while breastfeeding 
I am wanting to get the "it works " detox wraps. I am currently breastfeeding my 8 month old. Is it safe to use these wraps while breastfeeding her? I …

One breast produces less milk 
My son is in NICU and I've been pumping for almost two months. My right breast produces only 1/3 of the milk the left one does. It also takes longer for …

I want to quit pumping 
My baby and I never latched, but I still wanted him to have all the benefits, so I pumped about every 4 hours. Now I seem to have an over supply, where …

How do I donate my breastmilk? 
I have a reserve of breastmilk in the freezer and how do I go about donating it? Answer from the lactation consultant: Good for you. Donating your …

Is what I'm doing helpful for Low milk supply? 
So ever since my baby was born I've been breastfeeding and when I got out of the hospital I pumped when I had the time well I had bought a cheap breast …

Do small breasts affect breast milk production? 
I am 34 weeks pregnant with my first child and am planning on breast feeding. I was always told that your breasts grow a lot during pregnancy for multiple …

6 day old - nursing only for 10 mins on each side/ no poop since day 3 
Hello!, just a question....my daughter is 6 days old and has been breastfeeding an average of 10 mins each breast. During the day she sleeps fine but at …

Weaning From Nipple Shield 
In the hospital I was given a Medela nipple shield with no real instructions. I was told by the nurse that my nipples were too flat, and that my baby would …

Baby Doesn't Want To Latch On Now 
Well I have two children and the first on had issues with weight gain no matter how much I fed her so I am worried about weight issues with this one. …

I do not produce prolactin!  
Hi! I'm a mother of two boys. I tried to breastfeed them both with very little success. I tried all the lactating cookies, fenugreek, mothers milk, EVERYTHING! …

Cannot let down while pumping 
Hello- I returned to week 3 weeks ago when my daughter was 2.5 months old. I was able to let down the first week at work and pump 3x a day for every …

Just can't decide on a pump! 
I read your recommendations on the 3 best double electic pumps but I just can't decide which one? I used the Ameda double electric with my son almost …

Period after breastfeeding. 
I stopped breastfeeding about 1.5 months ago. My period returned a couple of months after my daughter was born. Historically, my periods have been pretty …

Return of Colostrum 
Are there any reasons for the return of colostrum after not having nursed for over a year and having been dry, other than pregnancy? I'm a WIC breastfeeding …

Back at work and not getting enough pumping 
My daughter will be 14 weeks tomorrow. On leave, I was able to have 100oz frozen. She eats 3-4 times a day at daycare, 4 oz each time. (about every 3 …

Pumping with Evenflo pump 
I have a five week old baby and I just recently started pumping. My question is, is it normal to only pump one oz of milk per 15-20 minute session? I have …

blocked duct after weaning? 
I weaned my 2yo four months ago (she is my sixth - all breastfed). For the past two days I have had a painful area in my left breast that feels like mastitis. …

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Bubble under areola during let down 
Hi. Although I have been breastfeeding my children (in succession) for nearly 11 years, I've recently experienced something new. When my milk lets down, …

Breastfeeding after 2 months of bottle feeding  
Hello, my baby is 2 months old now. I did not seem to have enough breast milk the first month since my baby was born at 35 weeks and i had a c-section, …

Trying to wean 7day old off breast shield 
I was told at my first attempt at feeding my daughter that I had Flat nipples and that I needed to use nipple shields to get her to latch. This was 1 …

Reflux, food intolerance and breastfeeding 
I was wondering what your thoughts were on food intolerance and reflux. I cut out dairy and caffeine for several days without any noticeable difference. …

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 
I have a four month old baby and just recently found out I am pregnant, I have been having trouble with my supply and understand that pregnancy cause a …

Breastfeeding after Infertility 
I was anovulatory. I conceived naturally 5 weeks after a failed IVF cycle. 9 days postpartum I was only producing 5ml/DAY of breastmilk pumping 8-12x …

Breast Milk rotting even after freeezing?  
Hello, I first found your twitter feed... what a great service you provide. I was a great productive milk producer, and breastfed my daughter for …

is it true that some lactating mothers lose fat at a faster rate after weaning? 
I gained about 70 pounds during pregnancy. Son is now 8 months old and i am still 40 pounds overweight. I started weight watchers about 3 1/2 months ago …

not sleeping through the night 
Good morning, My daughter is almost 6months old, she would sleep for 6-9hrs straight at night but now has started waking up q2-3hrs. I feed her each …

Question about becoming lactation consultant 
Mrs. Pevytoe, I am writing because I am very interested in becoming a certified lactation counselor and eventually consultant, but want to have a plan …

Does breastfeeding stop my 13 months old from sleeping thru the night? 
Does breastfeeding stop my 13 months old from sleeping thru the night? I am a working mom, I breastfeed morning, evening and night. I also pump at work …

Not losing weight and actually gained weight after delivery 
My daughter is currently 4 months old. After delivery I was only 10lbs above prepregnancy weight. Then I started to gain weight and gained 7lbs! I then …

agitated and fussy while nursing 
Hi! I'm so glad I found your website! My son, Baker, is 5 weeks old. The past week or so, Baker has been getting forceful and agitated during nursing. …

Re-lactation 
My baby was breastfeed for only 1 week with expressed breast milk.I was never able to pump more than 1 ounce from both breasts in total.I never established …

Breast Milk Bank 
Hi Liz, I was wondering if there are any breast milk banks in the DFW area? I have a few dozens frozen breast milk packs I no longer need. My son …

i think im getting low on my milk how can i get more milk? 
I am breast pumping and im getting low on my milk how can i stop it from doing that? How can i get more milk? I am drinking lots and lota of water i am …

Oversupply/hyperactive letdown 
I need some help. I believe I'm having an oversupply/hyperactive letdown issue and I need some help getting it balanced out. My daughter is 2 months old …

Is it too late to teach my baby to latch?? 
My daughter was born on 10/20/12. She was approximately 4 weeks early and both she and I grew very frustrated in the beginning trying to nurse. So I began …

Is this cluster feeding? Or is my milk supply dwindling? 
I'm breastfeeding my three-week old and we have fallen into a strange pattern. One day, I will have a lot of milk, to the point where I leak through my …

Tongue tie and breastfeeding  
Heya i exclusively bf my son for 3 weeks then he had a stint in hospital so when we got back I was so tired I have him a bottle and he started having one …

Throwing up breastmilk 
My son is 10 weeks old and is strictly fed only breast milk. I am an over producer of milk so breast feeding him is very difficult so he is bottle fed …

Tips for transitioning a premie to breastfeeding? 
My son was born prematurely and had major issues with sucking. I also had delayed milk coming in, most likely due to factors surrounding his birth. …

Tattoos and pumpimg 
My name is DeAnna. My son is 4 months old and I exclusively pump and feed him out of bottles. I want to get a small black tattoo on my shoulder blade …

Medication while pregnant 
I am currently on a lamisil oral for a scalp infection. I have to take it for 28 days. It has been approved safe for pregnancy but not for mothers that …

9 month old biting while nursing 
I have been exclusively breastfeeding my baby for 9 months and now he is starting to bite me every time he eats. He will latch on and nurse for about …

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How to Replenish My Supply 
I let my milk supply dry up about a month ago due to latching issues, mastitis, and returning to work. I have now decided that I want to begin breastfeeding …

tandem nursing, latching and let-down problems 
Hi Liz, I'm a mother of a 3-months old twin girls, and my breastfeeding problem has many sides: First: there's not let-down feeling at all, actually …

Milk Supply 
Hello I was breastfeeding my first week till my milk came in. So I have been pumping now for 2 weeks with no problem till 2 days ago. I would pump …

Rheumatoid Arthritis and low milk supply 
I've always had plenty of milk. So much, I've donated several hundred ounces to other infants. I recently have been having health issues, and I was diagnosed …

large flat nipples painful breastfeeding  
when i pump there is virtually no pain but when i latch my baby on it burns and is hard to tolerate i have tried different positions and researched many …

2 month old baby doesn't take breast feed 
Hi my baby is little above two months now. He was born premature vide c-sec at 35th week weighing less than 5 pounds. He hasn't latched till date, he just …

Reheating Breast Mill 
Hi Liz, I've been hearing and reading different answers...Is it okay to reheat breast milk? Thanks, Vivi Here is my article on breastmilk storage: …

Weaning from the breast due to thrush 
I am stopping breastfeeding because of thrush... its extremely painful and is still not gone after 9 days of diflucan. And now my almost 6mo is starting …

Tylenol Cold in 3rd Trimester 
I have a severe head cold and called my DR. They told me I could take Tylenol Cold or Sinus and it was ok. I just want to make sure it won't cause me any …

Breastfeeding after surgery? 
Liz, I am scheduled to have my thyroid removed on Monday. I currently nurse my 8 month old on demand on average 5-6 times a day. I have been advised …

ASYMMETRIC CRYING FACE AND BREASTFEEDING 
Good day! I am Gloria Leonora Jacinto, from the Philippines and just gave birth via CS on our 2nd baby 2 weeks ago. When our baby was born, nurses and …

Breastfeeding and Bikram Yoga 
Posted to Facebook but I would also like the advice of a professional! I want to know if it is safe to return to Bikram Yoga while nursing my baby. I am …

breastfeeing and meds 
I was recently told to stop breastfeeding my 3 week old son because an ER doctor told me to start a 14 day treatment of prilosec otc. I stopped breastfeeding …

Overweight while nursing a 5 month old with possible milk protein allergy 
I am a mommy of a five month old daughter. I am considered 'obese' and I would like to lose weight. Most importantly I want to make sure my daughter gets …

Breastfeeding twins and low production 
My twins were 32 weeks and did well breastfeeding in nicu for 2 weeks and now at home. 8 weeks old now and have always exclusively breastfed. In the begging …

Increased demand at night 
My daughter is 7 months old. I used to offer one breast per feed and my daughter was satisfied with that. She is 80th percentile in weight, 97th in height …

Bra conversion 
Liz, my hubs and I took your class a few months ago. We loved what you had to share with us and I'm successfully breast feeding our 4 week old daughter! …

Donating breast milk while traveling 
I will be talking a business trip to New York, staying and working just south of greenwich village. I have plenty of supply at home and am a bit worried …

Can I continue to nurse my toddler while pregnant? 
Hi! I'm 25 weeks pregnant with a baby boy and my toddler girl is 24 months old. I think I'm already producing colostrum (the other day I checked with …

colostrum at 28 wks 
Hi, I am 28 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I have never experienced early lactation and am a little excited as I was not physically able to breastfeed …

Water retention after weaning 
Hello, i breastfed my daughter for 22 months and ever since I have been retaining my Pms water weight. What should I do because my body just keeps accumulating …

Permanent makeup while breastfeeding  
Is it safe to get permanent makeup while breastfeeding? Answer from the lactation consultant: I am not familiar with permanent makeup but if it is …

Possible foremilk hindmilk imbalance? 
Hi, From the minute the nurse handed me my son, he latched on immediately and nursed wonderfully. Then, after about two-three weeks, he suddenly became …

4month old dropping weight percentile 
Hi! This is my third baby. I have breast fed my other two until they turned one and plan to do the same with this one. We just went to her 4 month check …

16 week old EBF fighting breast  
Ive been exclusively breastfeeding my baby and up until about 4/6 weeks ago we've not had a problem. Then she started fighting me! She latches on but …

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Expecting a Baby, Breastfeeding a Toddler, Gone Dry 
Hi, and thank you for offering your help online. I am the mother of a 22 months old girl and expecting another baby on Janurary, I breastfed her for 20 …

Pain after 9 months of successful breastfeeding 
I have been exclusively breastfeeding my daughter for 9 months and aside from the typical pains in the beginning, I haven't had any issues. All of the …

Milk supply and foods  
Can u eat different foods to help to your milk supply? Answer from the lactation consultant: Milk supply is a demand = supply system. In other words, …

Slowing milk supply 
My son will be 5 months next week and I have been exclusively breastfeeding since he was born. I went back to work 4 weeks ago and pumping has been difficult. …

Low Milk Production 
Hi I'm a first time parent my daughter is 2 months old and even though she got her shots her appetite is faster than my milk production I've tried to express …

Breast damage while breastfeeding 
Hello, I have a 9 week old baby and I am breastfeeding her. I have damage on my nipples which happened early on but I am very motivated to breastfeed …

Nipple Thrush 
Hello, I have been exclusively breast feeding for 6 weeks. My daughter LOVES nursing. In the hospital, the nurse said we had a good latch going, despite …

Breastfeeding with Tuberous Breasts that have Undergone Breast Surgery 
I was so excited to find your website and am so hopeful that you'll be able to help me! I'm due with my first child on August 8, 2012 and would love to …

My 7 months old suddenly refuses to nurse 
My 7 months old was exclusively breastfed for 4 months, then I started having low milk supply and supplementing with formula. Whatever I did to try increase …

Left breast only has foremilk  
My right breast does great but my left breast is much smaller and has so much foremilk coming out and hardly any hind milk. The foremilk is very watery …

Pure Green Coffee Bean Extract 
My daughter is almost 3 months old and I'm still breastfeeding exclusively. I want to know if taking a pure green coffee bean extract pill is safe right …

Body Wrap and Breastfeeding 
My concern is this. I am currently breastfeeding my 5 months old. I also give him formula since my milk supply is not enough. I went today for a seaweed …

Let-down difficulty when pumping 
I have a 5 week old baby that has been exclusively breast-fed every 2.5 to 3 hours. I struggled with severe engorgement in the beginning and have been …

Breastfeeding mom's diet 
Is it true that a fussy baby means you have to remove foods from your diet? I know a bfing mom who thinks she has to stop eating foods just because the …

Can I start exclusively breastfeeding after supplementing? 
My experience sounds a lot like your first breastfeeding experience. I was told that I had low supply because my son nursed every hour and acted hungry …

Increasing Pumping Results 
Liz, I am exclusively breastfeeding my 13 week old- with the exception of pumping one midnight or early morning feeding. The first 8 weeks I would …

Breastfeeding baby sleeping through the night 
I would normally nurse every two hours throughout the night but baby has been sleeping through the night for about four nights. What does this do to my …

Breastfeeding Schedule for Work 
My baby boy is now 8 months old and I have been breastfeeding him exclusively until now.  It has been a wonderful experience.  I had originally planned …

Supplements to boost your supply. 
I'm really trying to get this breast feeding thing down. I'm a first time mother and my baby was in the hospital for the first 3 weeks which kind of had …

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****If you require IMMEDIATE help or need a more detailed consultation? , please use the

chat or phone consultation feature A bit about me: I am a registered nurse, lactation consultant. I became a RN in the state of Texas in 1995 and a international board certified lactation consultant in 2003. I breastfed both my daughters. Emma for 9 months (worked and began supplementing really early on due to misinformation :( wish I could go back in time) And my second Abby nursed for 2 years. I quit working, we sold our house and my car so I could stay home with her. I had lots of breastfeeding challenges with both which gave me great experience to help you!

Have a question about: I am able to help with a wide variety of breastfeeding challenges. I have helped moms with issues from low milk supply to adoptive breastfeeding to failure to thrive.

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