Cooper County WIC

02/10/2026

02/10/2026

Breastfeeding and infant sleep aren’t one-size-fits-all because families aren’t one-size-fits-all. What supports one parent or one baby may not make sense for another, and that’s okay. There’s no shortage of stories, strategies, and “this worked for us” advice floating around, and some of it can be helpful… until it isn’t. At some point, many parents realize they don’t need to follow someone else’s map. They need to notice their own baby, their own body, their own capacity, and make choices from there. Feeding and sleep are a series of decisions, not declarations, and you’re allowed to choose what fits your family right now, knowing that those choices can change as your baby grows.

What is one piece of breastfeeding or infant sleep advice that you started to follow and realized it wasn’t working for you?

02/07/2026

I cannot stress enough how important it is to be sized correctly for your fl**ges! This will make ALL the difference in the world.

Did you know that we can measure and size you in our office? Just one of the many lactation services we can assist with. 🫶🏽

For decades, 24 and 27mm fl**ges have been treated as the standard sizes for breast pumps. These sizes were arbitrarily picked and not actually based on any research or science. Old advice used to recommend sizing up for comfort. Once multiple sizes because available, common recommendations included measuring the base of the ni***es and adding 2-3mm. As more moms started pumping and pumps became more widely available for use, we also saw an increase in plugged ducts, mastitis, ni**le damage and dropping milk supply. Why?! We now know that these sizes are far too big for most women. In fact, ACTUAL research on pump fl**ge fit recommends going SMALLER. New guidelines recommend measuring the base AND the tip of the ni**le and starting with the smaller size and gradually increasing until maximal comfort and milk output are observed. The most common sizes I see in my practice are 13-17mm. I rarely have anything above and 18. Yes. Anatomy is unique. Occasionally someone may need larger for their anatomy. But it’s extremely rare to use what comes in the box.

If your lactation consultant at the hospital told you the 24mm was good by just looking at your ni**le, or they measured the base of the ni**le and added to that number, they are working off of old recommendations that were not based on research because it didn’t exist until 2024. But that could absolutely impact your pumping journey. Hospital based IBCLCs are AMAZING!!! They often don’t have as many resources, have too many patients to see, and are doing the best they can. They may not have time to tell you all of these things or even know it is a thing yet. It is a thing and size does matter.

02/06/2026

02/02/2026

Breast size has nothing to do with pump fl**ge size.

None. Zero. Not even a little.

Somehow some still think that cup size determines fl**ge size, and it’s caused so much unnecessary pain, low output, and self-doubt. Your breasts can be large, small, uneven, full, soft. None of that tells us what fl**ge you need.

What Actually Determines Fl**ge Size

Pump fl**ge fit is about the ni**le, not the breast.
Specifically:
•The diameter of the base of the ni**le
•The diameter of the ni**le tip
•How the ni**le moves dynamically during pumping

This is the foundation of the FITS protocol developed by Jeanette Frem: a more accurate, more humane way of fitting pumping parents.

Instead of guessing based on breast size or handing out one or two standard fl**ges, FITS looks at how your ni**le behaves under suction, not just how it looks at rest.
The goal of a fl**ge is not just “milk comes out.”
It matters:
•How the pump feels on your body
•Whether pumping causes pain, blanching, or swelling
•How efficiently milk is being moved
•Whether pumping feels sustainable long-term

A good fit supports milk flow without trauma.
What Proper Fl**ge Fit Looks Like
•Only the ni**le should be moving in the tunnel
•Minimal to no ar**la should be pulled in
•The ni**le should move freely, not rub, swell excessively, or turn white
•Pumping should feel effective and tolerable

When too much ar**la is being pulled into the tunnel, it can:
•Restrict milk flow
•Cause swelling that makes output worse over time
•Increase pain and inflammation
•Lead parents to believe they have “low supply” when the issue is mechanical

Fl**ge sizing is not about how big your breasts are.
It’s about how your ni**le interacts with the pump.

Comfort matters. Efficiency matters. Long-term tissue health matters.

And if pumping feels awful or unproductive, that’s not a personal failure. iIt’s a signal that something may need adjusting.

You deserve pumping equipment that works with your body, not against it 💛

02/01/2026

You’ve were probably told
👉 “Feed your newborn every 3 hours.”

The reality is every 3 hours is the MINIMUM, Not the maximum. Not a rule that says you should make your baby wait. You should NOT be making baby wait 3 hours if they’re waking up hungry at hour 2 or every after and hour and a half.

👶 Newborns eat often. Very often.
They cluster feed. They snack. They binge. They change their minds. They are growing at lightning speed and figuring out how this whole feeding thing works.

🧠 Neurologically… they’re brand new.
Your baby is still immature and learning hunger and fullness cues. Sometimes they honestly act like they’re still attached to the umbilical cord and haven’t fully realized they’ve been born yet.

🤍 Early on, we often need to help babies learn how to eat and how their own body works
That can mean:
•Offering feeds before they cry
•Gently waking them if they’re very sleepy
•Not waiting for “perfect” hunger cues
•Monitoring their diaper output and their weight
•Ensuring they have a pain free latch

Once feeding is well established, baby has:
•Regained birth weight
•Is feeding effectively
•Is waking more reliably on their own
THEN we can start letting them lead more and wake when hungry. This can happen within a week or two or may take 6-8 weeks or longer if they were premature. Until then, frequent feeding isn’t spoiling or overfeeding. Your newborn isn’t doing anything wrong if they want to eat every hour or two. It’s biology. It’s learning. It’s newborn life. If your baby is wanting to feed ALL the time with no breaks, is not gaining weight or peeing/pooping as expected or the latch is painful, seek lactation help immediately.

01/29/2026

I absolutely love sharing this client’s story. It’s one I come back to again and again when I’m talking with other moms, because it’s such a powerful reminder that you are not alone in this journey.

As your WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, and with the support of our on-staff IBCLC, our goal is simple: to help you reach whatever feeding goal you set for yourself. Big or small, exclusive pumping, breastfeeding, combo feeding… it all matters, and you matter.

We truly are your support team. So when we say, “Please reach out when you’re struggling,” we mean it…day or night. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation, one person reminding you that you can do this.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or ready to quit, please don’t do it alone. We’re here for you, cheering you on every step of the way. 💕

01/29/2026

01/28/2026

Ever wonder why some parents pump 5oz per session while others get 2oz and still make plenty of milk? Or why one person’s baby nurses every 2 hours while another’s sleeps longer stretches? Breast milk storage capacity might be the answer!

What Is Breast Milk Storage Capacity?
It’s how much milk your breasts can hold between feedings. And here’s the kicker: it has NOTHING to do with breast size. Big breasts don’t automatically mean big capacity, and small breasts don’t guarantee small capacity. It’s all about internal milk-making structures, not cup size

🤯 Why It Matters:
•Large capacity: Longer stretches between feeds or bigger pumping sessions
•Smaller capacity: More frequent feeds or smaller pump volumes, but still just as capable of meeting baby’s needs!

No storage capacity is “better”! Your body and baby adapt to the pattern that works best for you

The “Magic Number” helps figure out how many times you need to remove milk (nursing/pumping) to maintain supply. For most it’s around 8 (every 2-4 hours). It could be as high as 11-16 or as low as 4-5. These are averages

🌟 The Magic Number
Once supply is established around 3-4 months, some moms will try to do more scheduled feedings or pump sessions.
•Feed or pump more than your magic number? You might build supply or trigger an oversupply
•Fewer than your magic number? Milk supply may gradually decrease unless you have a larger storage capacity
•Stick to your magic number? Supply maintains

🕵️ How to Know Your Capacity:
•After supply has regulated (around 2-4 months) and when you have gone about 4 hours without feeding, pump both breasts to see how much you collect. You need a quality pump with the correct size fl**ges to do this
•Full breasts ≠ max capacity, but it’s a helpful snapshot.
💡 If you pump 3oz or less: Smaller capacity, more frequent milk removal is needed, 10+ in 24 hours
💡 Pump 4–6oz: Moderate capacity: 6-9 milk removals
💡 Pump 7oz+: Larger capacity: may get away with fewer sessions while maintaining supply, 4-6 depending on you body

01/27/2026

01/27/2026

A temporary supply dip can happen when you’re sick. To help prevent it:
✨ Hydration + nourishment first. Fever, congestion, and reduced appetite can lead to dehydration fast. Sip fluids consistently and aim for easy, nutrient-dense foods (soups, smoothies, broths, protein + carbs)

😴 Rest whenever possible. Your body needs energy to recover and make milk. Lower expectations and accept help if you can

🍼 Keep milk removal consistent. Continue breastfeeding or pumping. If you feel miserable, even a few minutes of hand expression or a quick manual pump session helps signal your body to keep producing

👶 Keep baby close. Skin-to-skin and frequent nursing are powerful supply protectors. If you notice a dip and you’re up for it, add a short pump session

💊 Be mindful with medications. Most common cold/flu meds are compatible with breastfeeding, but some (especially decongestants like pseudoephedrine) can reduce milk supply. Always choose breastfeeding-safe options and double-check with an IBCLC or trusted resource.
• Fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally considered safe.
• Many cough suppressants and antihistamines are compatible, but may cause drowsiness for you or baby and a temporary dip in supply
• Herbal supplements marketed for colds aren’t always well-studied. “Natural” doesn’t always mean safe for lactation or supply
🧴 Supplements & supply: If your supply dips, focus first on milk removal, hydration, and rest. Galactagogues may help some parents, but they’re not magic and should be used thoughtfully

🔁 Once you’re feeling better: Add a few extra feeds or pump sessions for a couple of days if needed. Your body is incredibly responsive

💛 Do not stop breastfeeding because you’re sick. Your milk is safe for your baby and it’s packed with antibodies tailored to the illness you’re fighting

If you’ve experienced a supply dip while sick, you’re not alone. Have you been through this before?