Best Beginnings Lactation LLC

02/25/2026

Peoples. It has air bubbles in it. This is not anything close to what the inside of the breast looks like.

I was going to make a post got there first, so I will just share hers as it says it all. BS!

Just because something is shared widely, doesn't mean it's true.
I really WANT there to be an image of what the lactating breast actually looks like, and I'd share the heck out of it, but this ain't it. Soz

02/24/2026

Another question I get a lot in the first few days and weeks... How will I know when my baby is done? Um, they're breastfed, they ALWAYS want the b**b! For real though, sometimes they're actually done.

Generally speaking (there always outliers), a relaxed baby is a full baby.

Watch your baby, not the clock. In the first few days and weeks as your baby is learning to eat and getting back to birth weight, here is general consensus:

Baby has been at the breast and is slowing down and is just "fluttering" or has stopped sucking completely....

🤱🏽 Still super tense? Acts starved if you try to move them from the breast? Put them back on, watch for signs of satiety. Burp, offer the other side. Rinse and repeat.

🤱🏻 Little tense, but settles when you take the b**b away? Maybe a little hungry still. Dozed off during the feed but stirred a little? Burp and offer the other b**b. Rinse and repeat.

🤱🏼 Relaxed. Stays asleep when you take them off? They may be done. Burp and offer the other b**b. Rinse and repeat.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Fell asleep and came off the b**b on their own? Head flopped back, mouth open? Arms floppy, doesn't flinch when milk drips all over their face? All signs point to milk drunk? Probably done. But keep the b**b handy just in case.

And remember, when in doubt, offer the b**b. And as always, don't be afraid to reach out for help or ask questions!

**b

02/20/2026

Positioning!

There are so many positions you can try and master in the first few days and weeks. My favorites? Side lying and laid back.

Side lying is a total game changer. Yes, football can be great for learning. But right after birth EVERYTHING hurts. No matter how you gave birth! Lying on your side gets you off your butt and let's you rest those adjusting muscles.

🤱🏽Side lying can look like this, or leaned over a little so baby is latched to the "top" breast.

🤱🏻All the main rules still apply.

❤️Baby should be facing you (belly to belly)
🩷nice straightish line from ear to hip
🧡start with nostrils tilted toward the ni**le (you know nose to ni**le)
💛head at a gentle tilt
💚Chin smooshed into the breast.
💙Arms "hugging" the b**b
🩵This baby is 6 months so she graduated to doing her own thing, but you can still see a lot of the key positioning points.

🤱🏼For newborns, you should still help support their head and guide them to where they're trying to go. Your hand should almost never be on the back of the head, but instead at the shoulder/nape of the neck. This allows them full range of motion of the head but still supports them and let's you help guide and bring close.

02/17/2026

02/15/2026

Breastfeeding in public was a big fear of mine with my first baby 18 years ago. I tried using blankets, finding corners, hiding in a booth in restaurants. It wasn't easy, it wasn't comfortable. I stopped covering. I was drawing more attention trying to cover than if I just let her latch and eat. And no one said a thing. Not then, not with my next, or the next. 6 kids I've breastfed in public. Only once has anyone ever asked me to cover. Once in 18 years of Breastfeeding.

I just no and carried on. No need to argue, no need to educate. You won't change the mind of someone so full of ignorance.

There's less hate and prejudice than you think. Feed your baby. Cover. Don't cover. Doesn't matter. Just feed your baby.

02/15/2026

Breastfeeding in public was a big fear of mine with my first baby 18 years ago. I tried using blankets, finding corners, hiding in a booth in restaurants. It wasn't easy, it wasn't comfortable. I stopped covering. I was drawing more attention trying to cover than if I just let her latch and eat. And no one said a thing. Not then, not with my next, or the next. 6 kids I've breastfed in public. Only once has anyone ever asked me to cover. Once in 18 years of Breastfeeding.

I just said "no" and carried on. No need to argue, no need to educate. You won't change the mind of someone so full of ignorance.

There's less hate and prejudice than you think. Feed your baby. Cover. Don't cover. Doesn't matter. Just feed your baby.

02/14/2026

Hunger cues...

This is a 6 month in all her exploring glory. Everything goes in the mouth right now.

E VER Y THING

But she still has a lot of little hunger cues. Head back and forth. Wide open mouth searching.

Newborns:
My philosophy is "When in doubt, offer the b**b. Better yet, just stay topless for the first 2 weeks, it'll be easier that way..."

👶 As soon as they start stirring, moving their head back and forth. Those are some early signs. If you're not ready, start getting ready. Get your pillow, get your water, unhook the bra and get that baby skin to skin ASAP.

👶👶 Next sign, they're awake, hands are moving, they're turning their head side to side. Please tell me you have the b**b out!! Head starts bobbing and they may have a wide open mouth searching for the ni**le.

👶👶👶 We are hungry! Fussy, crying, we are starving! Calm your baby, bring them skin to skin and just chill. Reset, retry.

Those first few days are all about learning to eat and doing lots of it. From day one of lots of sleepiness and probably only a few feeds to day 4 of eating every 1-3 hours. Newborn stage is a wild ride. Don't be afraid to offer the b**b anytime your unsure.

02/13/2026

A question I hear a lot... Is my baby ready for solids?

When your baby meets these milestones, which is usually around 6 months, we know that they're likely ready for solids.

🧘🏽‍♀️They can sit independently. This means not in a supportive seat, or using a hand to hold themselves up (that's called tri-poding).

😛 The tongue thrust reflex is gone. If you put a bite in and they immediately "spit it out," meaning their tongue thrust it out, theyre not quite ready yet. That's a reflex to help prevent choking.

👶 They should be able to bring objects to their mouth.

👀 Do you feel as if theyre watching your every move when you eat? Interest is obviously a must. Forcing them to eat is no fun for anyone.

And of course all babies are different. Talk with your primary care. Some are ready sooner, some later! 6 months is generally the soonest that we (lactation consultants and other feeding specialists would recommend)

02/11/2026

Those little newborn hands that kept "getting in the way" those first few days? They have a purpose. Their scent helps them find the breast and latch. They help knead the breast to get that milk flowing! And at 6 months...this kiddo knows just how to get the Let Down going and keep it going.

So, don't swaddle those little hands. Let them do their job!

02/09/2026

First off, I hadn't fed the baby in several hours. This was one missed feeding on the left side before I finally sat down to pump. So, two feedings worth of milk here.

Now, it is common to have one breast produce more than the other for various reasons. The biggest culprit in my case? Pure laziness and comfort. Its easier and more comfortable to hold my baby on the left side so I can do stuff with my right. I have essentially created this uneven mess. Know what? My baby doesn't care that my b**bs are uneven. Even if my bra DOES fit a little funny these days.

Questions about supply or pumping? Reach out to an an IBCLC!

02/04/2026

Aya is all about tasting everything! Here I think she's having flashbacks to those first few days when Mama had ALL THE MILK and engorgement was REAL!

Engorgement happens. Ice! Reverse pressure softening! Pump or hand express just enough to help baby latch. If engorgement keeps coming back, reach out for help!