Tracey Carolan IBCLC

01/12/2026

Breast milk is NOT made directly from your stomach contents but within the breast itself from your blood. The foods you eat are broken down in your digestive system. Proteins, carbs, vitamins, white blood cells, enzymes, pre- and probiotics, water, fat, and chemicals (alcohol, caffeine, medications) are pulled from your intestines into the blood stream. Blood delivers these nutrients to the milk making glands in the breast. Every nutrient you consume gets used or stored and each type gets cleared from your blood in a certain amount of time. Cow protein, for example, is completely cleared from your blood steam within 8-12 HOURS of consumption. So it is completely eliminated in no more than 24 hours from your milk. Not weeks like some people are told when doing elimination diets. Caffeine clears your blood in 4-7 hours and alcohol within 2. Medications have longer or shorter half lives, which is how long they stay in your body, and larger or smaller molecules. Some can pass into breast milk and some can’t.

⚔️MYTH: Digestive discomfort and reflux is always from eating dairy
💡FACT: Cow milk protein allergy is only in 2-7% of the people. Digestive discomfort/reflux are more commonly caused by unidentified tongue ties

⚔️MYTH: Spicy food makes spicy breastmilk which will upset baby’s tummy
💡FACT: While the foods you eat can change the flavor of your milk, there is no evidence that capsaicin (the compound that makes foods spicy) is ever present in breast milk

⚔️MYTH: Beans, cabbage, broccoli, etc give baby gas
💡FACT: The insolvable fiber found in vegetables mixes with your gut bacteria and makes you gassy. Insoluble fiber does not leave the GI tract and cannot reach your milk

⚔️MYTH: Baby will refuse your milk if you eat garlic or other potent flavors
💡FACT: Research studies have found babies actually prefer the flavor of garlic in breastmilk and will spent more time at the breast and drink more milk. (Mennella, 1993)

⚔️MYTH: Soda and other carbonated beverages will make baby gassy
💡FACT: Carbonated drinks don’t carbonate the blood. The bubbles don’t get into your milk

What’s your favorite food and breastfeeding myth?

01/11/2026

01/10/2026

A Post Partum Doula is someone who comes into your home usually withen the first three months postpartum.

Some of their jobs include
- help with feeding baby
-food prep
-laundry
-other light household duties like dishes

I think a 4 hour shift is the perfect amount of time to help with feeding, then wear baby in a carrier while you catch a nap or shower, have a hot cup of coffee, and I have time to fold your laundry and meal prep.

Contact www.ridgemeadowsdoula.com for more information

01/08/2026

No matter how your feeding, directly at the breast, only bottles, or triple feeding, the whole process should not take longer than 45-60 minutes.

As babies get older they should get even more efficient so that feeds are shorter.

At a few moths a baby might only nurse for 5-10 minutes.

If feeds are going much longer or if your baby is constantly falling asleep, please reach out for support.

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

01/06/2026

The every day choice lol

12/30/2025

Pain with breastfeeding is common, but it is not normal, and it should never be ignored.
Pain is one of the earliest signs that something in the feeding relationship needs support. Breastfeeding should feel comfortable after the initial learning period. Persistent pain is your body’s feedback system, not a rite of passage. Ignoring it can lead to worsening ni**le trauma, decreased milk transfer, supply concerns, and early weaning. None of which are inevitable when the root cause is addressed early.

Common causes of ni**le pain usually fall into a few key categories.
The most frequent is a shallow latch, often related to positioning or baby’s oral mechanics. Babies with tension, a high palate, or oral restrictions (like tongue or lip ties) may compress the ni**le rather than draw it deeply into the mouth, leading to cracking, blanching, or lipstick-shaped ni**les. Vasospasm can cause sharp, burning pain and color changes after feeds, while friction injuries may occur with incorrect pump fl**ge sizing or excess too much suction. Less commonly—but still important—yeast, bacterial infections, or dermatitis can mimic latch pain and require targeted treatment.

The good news: pain is usually fixable when addressed promptly.
Remediation starts with observing a full feeding—looking at positioning, latch depth, baby’s suck pattern, and milk transfer. Small adjustments, like changing angles, improving body alignment, or supporting baby’s jaw, can make a significant difference. If oral function is contributing, referrals for bodywork or further oral evaluation may be appropriate. For pump-related pain, correct fl**ge sizing and gentler settings are essential. When infection or vasospasm is suspected, individualized care and medical collaboration matter. Bottom line: pain is a signal, not a sacrifice. Getting skilled lactation support early protects both your comfort and your breastfeeding goals.

12/30/2025

Sometimes being an IBCLC sucks. 💗

You will rarely hear me say ANYTHING negative about my chosen profession. I love my job, the amazing families that I see and the wonderful IBCLCs I chat with every day to brainstorm. But every job comes with its downsides right? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Here are 5 things that make me wave my hands in the air and curse repeatedly.

👉🏻 I can't do it for you (the other day my son overheard a friend saying "Max's mom breastfed my little brother!" Um... that's not how this job works)
👉🏻 I can't move in/stay the night/come over every time your baby needs to eat
👉🏻 I can't turn back time, as much as I wish I could
👉🏻 I can't solve all infant feeding problems instantly (in fact I can't solve them at all- I teach YOU to do that)
👉🏻 I don't find out how the story ends…

⭐️ Which is why it's SUPER exciting for me when you have another baby and come back to see me! I absolutely love hearing how things went the last time, what you would do again, and what is absolutely off the table this time around. 🥰

👀 (But hey, even if you don't have another kid, feel free to drop me a message when you and your baby level up and don't need me anymore! 😎 I absolutely love seeing their little faces and celebrating your hard work!) 🫶🏼

🥰 If you’re looking for help on your breastfeeding or bottlefeeding journey, I’m your girl. Book yourself a consultation at the link in bio and we can work together to get your baby fed!

Are you an IBCLC? What do you think are the worst parts about what we do? Comment down below! ⬇️