http://www.arlingtonlactation.com/

Susan Howard, IBCLC, Falls Church, VA (2025)

12/03/2025

Breastfeeding doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Sometimes that expectation of perfection can make you overthink everything.

So, when someone reaches out for lactation support, I find they're often already feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The situation might feel impossible, or like something they should have figured out by now.

That's why Chelia's kind words mean so much to me.

Calming fears and reducing stress is a large part of what I do. I love bringing peace to a stressful feeding situation.

So, if you're feeling stressed or stuck about feeding, I'm here to listen if you need it.

You can book a consultation through my website or send me a message with any questions.

12/02/2025

IBCLCs can help you far past the newborn stage 👶

I share this because many parents don't realize when it might be helpful to reach out.

You don't have to wait until everything is falling apart. And you don't have to be exclusively breastfeeding, either.

So, if you're navigating any part of your feeding journey and need support, that's what I'm here for.

What surprised you most about this list? Let me know in the comments.

12/02/2025

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about what lactation consultants do.

And I get it.

A lot of people think an IBCLC's work is done after the newborn stage. But, that's not true.

The work is truly ongoing.

Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, formula supplementing, introducing solids, weaning, and more.

I share this because I think many parents don't realize when it might be helpful to reach out.

So, if you're navigating any part of your feeding journey and need support, that's what I'm here for. You can book a consultation through my website or send me a message if you have questions.

What surprised you most about this list?

11/27/2025

Every year around this time...

I find myself reflecting on the quiet, beautiful moments that make this work so meaningful.

And this season, I’m especially grateful. 🤍

As an IBCLC, families invite me into some of the most tender chapters of their lives. Sometimes, virtually, sometimes sitting right beside them on the couch with a newborn curled into their chest.

That trust will never stop feeling sacred.

I’m thankful for the tiny moments. The soft sigh when a latch finally feels comfortable. The small adjustments that make all the difference.

Or, when a family comes back for continued support, it means the world to me. There’s something so special about walking alongside a parent as their baby grows, changes, and learns.

I’m grateful for my international families, too. They remind me daily that feeding needs are truly universal.

And nothing fills me up more than seeing parents feel supported, understood, and validated.

Lastly, I’m endlessly thankful for the brilliant, compassionate IBCLC community. The people who teach me, encourage me, and remind me we’re all in this together.

What a gift it is to learn from one another. 🤍

This season, my heart is full.

Thank you for letting me do the work I love.

With gratitude,
Susan 🌼

11/26/2025

I'm grateful for testimonials like this one from Andria. 💙

Bottle refusal can be complex. And every baby is different!

What works for one family might not work for another.

So, if you're dealing with bottle refusal and feel stuck, know there are ways to solve it.

Sometimes it just takes the right assessment and a low-pressure approach to move forward.

That’s why I’m always here to chat if you need it. 💙

11/25/2025

Whether you're traveling with your baby or away from them, continuing to breastfeed or pump takes some planning.

Here are a few tips to help:

If you're traveling WITH your baby: Nurse during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure. Feeding on demand is the best way to maintain your supply.

If you're traveling WITHOUT your baby: Express milk as frequently as you'd normally feed. Use an electric pump for best results, but pack a manual pump or plan for hand expression.

Store milk in advance so your baby can continue having your milk while you're apart.

Storing milk while traveling: Request a mini fridge for your hotel room. Store milk in the back of the fridge or freezer where the temperature stays constant. Use milk storage bags or clean, BPA-free containers.

Flying with breast milk: Expressed milk is EXEMPT from TSA liquid limits. You can bring all your milk, ice packs, and pump supplies through security—even if you're not traveling with your baby. Inform TSA at the start of screening, and give yourself extra time.

Airport resources: Hub airports are required to provide private, non-bathroom lactation spaces in each terminal. Check the airport's website before you travel.

So, have you ever traveled while breastfeeding?

Share your tips with us!

11/22/2025

Babies have slept on all kinds of surfaces! 🐑

The oldest "mattress" ever found comes from Africa about 77,000 years ago.

It was made from grass, leaves, and ashes. The ashes helped deter insects, and families would burn the bedding periodically to create a healthier sleep environment for everyone, including babies.

In Ancient Egypt, wealthy families used all kinds of decorative furniture for children and babies.

Medieval and Renaissance Europeans stuffed mattresses with straw, wool, or animal hair—feathers for the wealthy.

Baby cradles were wooden, hand-carved, and often suspended or rocked. Some dated back to the 15th century.

In the 17th century, Italy introduced iron beds for better hygiene, which were quickly applied to baby bassinets.

Victorian bassinettes sometimes had metal mesh sides.

And… depending on the circumstances some babies even ended up in a dresser drawer!

Families have always been resourceful.

Just like you 💙

So, what surprised you the most?

Let me know in the comments.

11/18/2025

Supporting families through feeding journeys takes time, patience, and trust.

And I'm grateful Marieme felt supported through both of hers.

One of the things I care about most in this work is never pushing anyone into a decision they're not ready for.

Feeding your baby is deeply personal, and my job is to help you navigate it in a way that works for you and your family. 💙

Listen, early parenthood is hard.

That’s why I’m all for finding moments to laugh along the way!

So, If you're navigating a feeding challenge and need support without pressure, I'm here.

11/17/2025

3 tips for flying with a baby 👶 🛩

I've done a fair amount of traveling with babies over the years, and these are the things I always tell parents who are preparing for their first flight.

👶Wear your baby through the airport. It makes navigating security, gates, and crowds so much easier. Your hands stay free, and baby stays close.

✈️Use the fold-down changing station on the plane. Most airplane lavatories have one built into the wall above the toilet. It folds down—you just have to know it's there.

🧷Make a mini diaper kit. Put one diaper, wipes, and a couple of paper towels in a Ziploc bag. Take just that into the bathroom instead of your whole diaper bag.

When you're done, put the soiled diaper in the bag, seal it, and throw it all away. No smell, no mess.

These small, practical things can make the whole experience less stressful!

If you have a travel tip that's worked for you, I'd love to hear it in the comments.

11/14/2025

Baby sleep has changed a lot through the years 💤

For most of human history, babies slept close to their parents.

Usually, sharing the same sleep surface.

It provided warmth, protection, and made nighttime feeding easier.

For many cultures, separate infant sleep was considered neglectful or even dangerous.

But less than 200 years ago, things started to shift in Western societies.

The industrial revolution brought wealth, bigger homes, and new ideas about individualism.

Nurseries, cribs, and strict sleep schedules became the norm.

In 1994, the "Back to Sleep" campaign (now "Safe to Sleep") launched in the US, promoting babies sleeping alone on their backs in cribs to reduce SIDS risk. This advice spread quickly through Western medicine.

Today, solo crib sleep is mainly in Western, industrialized societies.

And actually, most non-Western cultures still consider co-sleeping normal and central to infant care.

What we think of as "normal" sleep is not always universal.

Understanding this history helps us support families with more nuance and less judgment. 💙

What surprised you about this history? Let me know in the comments.

11/13/2025

I came across something at ILCA I wanted to share with you. 🍼

It's called the Neotech Bridge Breastfeeding Device, and it's an integrated ni**le shield with a supplementer.

Here's how it works:

The device comes ready to use in a single size.

It has a connector where the supplementary tube attaches, and it comes with a syringe.

You attach the ni**le shield to the breast, and when baby comes to the breast, they can work on their latching skills while also getting supplemental milk if they need more volume or help with transfer.

So, this device can both support latch practice while providing the extra milk some babies need.

I thought it was a smart design, especially for babies who are working on building their feeding skills but still need some assistance in the meantime!

Have you ever used this breastfeeding assistance device? I'd love to hear your experience with it.💙

11/11/2025

One final gratitude post for 💙

What a conference!

2 presentations. Countless connections. Full rooms. Warm Tampa weather. 💙

I was especially thankful for my co-presenter Dr. Rish*ta Jaju from !

We discussed the importance of professional collaboration and our roles in achieving great outcomes for babies with tongue ties.

If you were there, what were your highlights? Let me know in the comments!

Susan Howard, IBCLC

12/03/2025

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

11/27/2025

11/26/2025

11/25/2025

11/22/2025

11/18/2025

11/17/2025

11/14/2025

11/13/2025

11/11/2025

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