Announcing TLN’s new parent newsletter (with 4 back-to-school tips)!
Yep, it’s back-to-school season. And it can be an exciting time! It can also be… daunting, to say the least.
Teachers dig in with lesson plans and classroom supplies, seemingly out of thin air. Parents fill out planners and calendars with the intensity of an international ambassador. And children prepare for a whole new year of learning math, reading, science, and ever-important social skills.
Unfortunately, when we all learned these subjects (or tried to, at least), we didn’t learn about one key detail that helps humans thrive: Breastfeeding. Many of us never learned about breastfeeding until we were actively doing it. In fact, many folks never learn about it at all! Wouldn’t life be easier if there was a teacher who could educate new and expecting parents about the many ins and outs of lactation?
Lucky for all of us, these expert teachers exist. And they’re ready to help you with every step in the breastfeeding journey.
Lactation consultants fill in the gaps
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) hold the highest and only internationally recognized credential in the field of lactation. They demonstrate specialized knowledge and clinical expertise in lactation care. We don’t use this title lightly; it’s well-earned!
With years of extensive education, hands-on training, and a frequent recertification process, IBCLCs offer the gold standard in breastfeeding support. These experts are the only type of lactation consultants qualified to provide clinical care. IBCLCs can support you with:
- Prenatal preparation, education, and expectation-setting
- Initiating breastfeeding and first-feed best practices
- Breastfeeding positions, latching issues, and hand expression techniques
- Bodily experiences like engorgement, the letdown reflex, clogged milk ducts, mastitis, or sore nipples
- Unexpected challenges as baby grows and shows new behaviors, such as feeding difficulty due to anatomical abnormalities in baby’s mouth
- Navigating all things pumps: Schedules, maintenance, sanitation, and sizing
- A return-to-work plan that fits your needs
- And so much more
Your new TLN newsletter: Nourished, by TLN
Just as children everywhere deserve the best, most comprehensive education, so do parents on their postpartum journey. Welcome to your tailor-made, nonjudgmental breastfeeding “class.”
The Lactation Network is excited to share our first-ever newsletter for parents. At long last, we can announce it!
“Nourished, by TLN” is created with you in mind. Each month, a new issue of our exclusive, clinically reviewed newsletter will serve as your informational resource for:
- Timely blog writeups on subjects that matter to you and your family
- An expert Q&A column for important parenting questions — including the ones you might be too afraid to ask out loud
- New maternity gear and tools
- Breastfeeding breakthroughs and national news
- And more!
Think of this monthly newsletter as a “bulletin board” that supplements the expertise of an IBCLC.
4 back-to-school tips for lactating parents
Okay. This section is for those of you who take back-to-school literally since you’re either teaching, attending classes yourself, or prepping little ones to get back in the classroom. If you’re breastfeeding during this time, we’ve got some expert tips that may help.
- Start a new rhythm — and don’t fight it. You’ll be busy. Your child(ren) will experience bumps in the road, no matter their age. Do your best to map out a feeding/pumping schedule before school starts. Study it. Make sure your partner, boss, and/or older child(ren) know about it. Then, if you need to tweak it as time goes on or as your baby’s needs evolve, you can make an informed decision about what changes need to happen. Rest assured that a new routine will very likely get easier after just a week or two.
- Gear up. Back-to-school shopping isn’t just about new shoes and school supplies when you’re keeping a baby fed. We’re talking nursing pads. Nipple cream. Nursing bras. And plenty else. If you’re pumping, make sure you’ve got the right-sized nipple flanges for your nipple size (which may have changed since your first sizing). If you’re insured, you can check with your insurance carrier to see if a pump is a covered expense. Stock up on milk storage bottles, and maybe even a cooler with reusable freezer blocks to keep milk from spoiling. And if you have the option, consider keeping a duplicate set of these tools at work. It can prevent the dreaded “I left it at home!” moment and save you tons of transport time.
- Take time for you. Even when your body creates a living human — and then keeps that human alive with nourishment and care — your body and your life are still yours. The beginning of the school year can be a frantic time for families, especially when there’s a new little family member in the routine. So, amid this juggling act, preemptively schedule time for your own well-being. Even if it’s as simple as a 15-minute break at work without pumping, getting someone to watch the baby while you shower, or taking a nap while the baby sleeps, this time is sacred. It’s necessary. And it’s yours.
- Encourage self-soothing in others. People need you. That’s a given. But it’s a real challenge to manage an older child’s need for attention when you’ve got a younger baby on your breast. And answering a student’s questions while simultaneously pumping in your classroom is no easy task for a teacher. Depending on the ages of the other children in your life, they may be ready to operate a bit more independently. Perhaps this is the year they start to get themselves dressed and packed before school. Maybe they’re even old enough to make their own lunches. Or if you’re a teacher managing a class, you might reach out to your administration to ensure access to a private pumping space — away from students. As for the adults in your life: Let them know your priorities have shifted and you’ll be less available to them for a while. Share with them how they might even help you as a nursing parent, and how they could nurture you as responsibilities shift. Remember, your emotional and mental well-being are non-negotiable.
We wish you a smooth, happy back-to-school season. And we’re thrilled to come back to you each month with a fresh newsletter.
See you next month!
Got questions about how to create or improve your own breastfeeding plan?
