This author has yet to write their bio.Meanwhile lets just say that we are proud Melissa Portunato contributed a whooping 72 entries.
By Melissa Portunato IBCLC Clogged ducts can be extremely painful but completely treatable. How did you even get them in the first place? A clogged duct can be caused by a variety of different reasons from prolonged time without milk removal, shallow latch, restrictive clothing, or even stress. Read our IBCLC’s tips below on how […]
Melissa Portunato, IBCLC The majority of breastfeeding mothers will express breastmilk during some part of their breastfeeding journey. Sometimes it can be when returning to work, taking a break while temporarily working on baby’s latch, or choosing to pump exclusively from the start. Breast pumping can be intimidating for new parents, but it doesn’t have […]
By Jacque Ordner BSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC As an IBCLC people are constantly asking me for insights to make breastfeeding easier. Today, I’ve got my top tips and tricks to make latching easier and more comfortable! This advice isn’t original to me, and isn’t original to any other IBCLC or breastfeeding professional. It’s been around as long as breastfeeding has, but it hasn’t been readily passed from mother to mother in […]
By Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC Your maternity leave might be coming to an end soon and instead of doing your typical trek to the office you now find yourself prepping for a new normal…working from home. Will your baby be home while you’re working? Will you be pumping during your work day? No matter […]
Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC Breastmilk is a living substance loaded with nutrients, antibodies, and vitamins, providing the perfect nutrition composition for your growing baby. Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding for 2 years or as long as the mother and baby desire. Some mothers exclusively express breastmilk for […]
Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC Not all babies bite and the ones that do learn pretty quickly that mama does not like it and stop. If you’re part of the lucky few that does have a baby shark don’t worry mamas! Biting down at the breast is almost always temporary. With patience, time and support […]
By Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC On June 27, 2022, The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its existing policy statement on breastfeeding. The revision has come at a controversial time amidst the current formula crisis, failed legislation, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on reproductive health rights. Read on for the full breakdown and what […]
Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC Babies are born with a strong innate sucking reflex necessary for survival. When combined with the rooting reflex, a newborn baby can find the breast, suck and swallow milk. Sucking can also bring soothing comfort to a newborn baby, and parents often run to a binkie for a quick fix. […]
By Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk. After 12 weeks, your body has gotten the hang of […]
Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC Are you ready to hit the road with your breast pump this summer? Planning ahead will eliminate unnecessary stress so you can enjoy the time away and make long-lasting memories. Read on for our practical and easy-to-follow guide to pumping while on vacation. Ring Before You Go When booking a […]
Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC Though most women have the initial desire to breastfeed, the CDC reports only 25% of babies meet the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. As the baby formula shortages continue in the US, many parents are now faced with the unprecedented stress of keeping their babies fed. If […]
Jacque Ordner BSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC Are you worried your precious little one will grow to prefer the bottle over your breasts? Are you concerned you might not be able to keep up once baby begins taking bottles regularly while you’re away? Are you exclusively pumping and looking for tips on bottle feeding? We’ve got you covered with our full guide on Paced Bottle […]
