Susan Howard, IBCLC

Susan Howard, IBCLC Nurse. Lactation Consultant. Mentor. Lactogeek. Baby Bottle whisperer.

One final gratitude post for đź’™What a conference! 2 presentations. Countless connections. Full rooms. Warm Tampa weathe...
11/11/2025

One final gratitude post for đź’™

What a conference!

2 presentations. Countless connections. Full rooms. Warm Tampa weather. đź’™

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!

Did you know the IBCLC profession is only 40 years old?Being at the ILCA conference this past weekend has me reflecting ...
11/11/2025

Did you know the IBCLC profession is only 40 years old?

Being at the ILCA conference this past weekend has me reflecting on how young this work really is!

Before IBCLCs, breastfeeding support came from family, community, and resources like La Leche League. 

There was no standardized clinical lactation training in healthcare.

In 1977, Chele Marmet saw the need for professionalized lactation support within hospitals. 

By 1985, both IBLCE and ILCA were founded, creating the gold standard for lactation support.

In 1991, WHO and UNICEF launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, speeding up the integration of IBCLCs into standard maternal and baby care worldwide.

Today, there are over 35,000 IBCLCs worldwide! 

What started as a small field has grown into an irreplaceable part of maternal and baby care.

This work is still so young. 

And we're still learning and building the future of infant feeding support together.

That's what makes gatherings like ILCA so meaningful. 

We're shaping what comes next. đź’™

So, what surprised you most about IBCLC history? 

Let me know in the comments.

highlights!
11/10/2025

highlights!

ILCA Conference Day 1 ✔️What a day.My first presentation on bottle refusal was incredibly popular. The room was packed, ...
11/08/2025

ILCA Conference Day 1 ✔️

What a day.

My first presentation on bottle refusal was incredibly popular. The room was packed, and we ended up spilling out into the hall because there weren't enough seats.

The energy in the room was amazing, and I'm so grateful for everyone who showed up ready to learn and share!

There's something special about being in a room full of lactation professionals who care deeply about this work. 

That's what keeps me coming back to ILCA.

If you were there today, thank you. And if you're here at the conference, come say hello. 

I'd love to connect. đź‘‹

What's on an IBCLC's packing list? 🍼Well…I'm finishing up packing for Tampa, and I had to laugh at what's going into my ...
11/06/2025

What's on an IBCLC's packing list? 🍼

Well…

I'm finishing up packing for Tampa, and I had to laugh at what's going into my suitcase.

I'm presenting twice at ILCA this year! 

On Friday, I'm teaching a clinical skills workshop on bottle refusal. 

On Sunday, I'm co-presenting with Dr. Rish*ta Jaju from đź’™

We'll be exploring bottle refusal, tongue ties, and collaboration between lactation consultants and release providers.

And the conference theme this year is "Honoring the Past, Forging the Future," which feels fitting.

Between the bottle ni***es, baby dolls, my oral anatomy models… 

I can only imagine what TSA is going to think if they have to open my bag.

So, if you're heading to ILCA, let me know in the comments. 

I'd love to see you there. đź’™

Another beautiful handwritten note đź’™What started as what felt like an impossible breastfeeding journey became possible a...
11/05/2025

Another beautiful handwritten note đź’™

What started as what felt like an impossible breastfeeding journey became possible and enjoyable. 

I think about the families I work with often…

Especially the ones who come to me when things feel really hard. 

When breastfeeding isn't going the way you hoped, it can feel isolating. You're not sure what's wrong or how to fix it, and sometimes it feels easier to just stop.

But something shifts when we can make small adjustments that end up making all the difference!

What felt impossible starts to feel manageable. 

And eventually, it feels natural and good. 

That's the work I love doing. 

So, if you're in a place right now where feeding feels impossible, know that there's support available. 

You don't have to navigate this alone. đź’™

10/31/2025

Ni**le shields have come a long way…🛡️

The Davol Rubber Company started making these in the late 19th century, and continued through the 1960s. 

These glass shields were sometimes bowl-shaped, acting as a shell. 

And others (like the one in my video) were shaped so a rubber ni**le could fit on the end.

They were made of clear glass because it was affordable and accessible, especially for lower income women. 

More costly versions were made from pewter, silver, or ivory, but glass was most affordable.

So what were they used for?

These shields served multiple purposes. 

They protected sore or cracked ni***es, helped mothers with inverted ni***es or latch difficulties, and were sometimes used to transition babies from bottle feeding back to breastfeeding. 

But here's what we've learned since then: 

Glass shields weren't very effective at stimulating milk removal. Used long term, they could actually reduce milk supply or contribute to feeding problems.

It's a reminder of how far we've come in understanding lactation tools. 

What did you find most interesting about these? 

Write it in the comments đź’™

***eshield

My last bottle refusal workshop for 2025 is next week! Make sure to grab your spot. 💙It is taking place on November 5th ...
10/29/2025

My last bottle refusal workshop for 2025 is next week! 

Make sure to grab your spot. 💙

It is taking place on November 5th and 12th. Two sessions, starting at 1pm each day. 

And yes, we’re keeping it small. 

There is always limited seating so we have room for questions and organic discussion. 💬

Learning bottle refusal as a lactation professional is so important. It continues to be an ongoing, frustrating issue for families.

So, if you're needing practical bottle refusal tips and strategies to use with clients right away, join me.

I’d love to have you in the workshop. 💙

DM me “sign up” to grab your spot. Registration is open until midnight Sunday, Nov. 4th. 

See you then!

Brie’s testimonial means a lot to me. 💙When parents are up late at night looking for answers…I know how overwhelming tha...
10/28/2025

Brie’s testimonial means a lot to me. 💙

When parents are up late at night looking for answers…

I know how overwhelming that feels. 

There's so much conflicting advice out there, making it hard to know what's actually going to help.

Remember: 

Taking a bottle is a skill, and like any skill, babies need support to learn it.

So, if you're in a similar place right now, scrolling for answers and feeling stuck, know that there is a path forward. 

You don't have to figure it out alone. đź’™

Reach out anytime. 

10/24/2025

When did babies start eating solids?

In today's video, I discuss how dramatically our approach to starting solids has changed over the last century.

In the 1880s, babies typically didn't start solids until around 11 months.

But in the 1930s, something shifted.

Ge**er began marketing pureed baby food directly to pediatricians. 

Their pitch? Homemade food wasn't as safe.

And for many families, that message resonated. 

Some homes didn't have running water to properly clean equipment for making baby food, so the convenience and "safety" of store-bought options made sense.

Pediatricians started recommending it to their patients, and the age for starting solids dropped dramatically. Some babies were given solids as early as 6 weeks old.

By the end of the 1930s, 70% of babies were on solids by 3 months.

So what changed?

We learned. 

Over time, we've come to understand that a baby's developmental skills and mobility directly align with readiness for solids. 

And that happens around 6 months, not 6 weeks.

There are many things that have happened in the past that explain our recommendations now. 

And that's worth remembering.

So, now you know! 

Make sure to follow along for more of my lactation history series. There’s still a lot to cover 📚

My Bottle Refusal Betrayal list…🍼Ever heard someone say anything on this list?"Just keep trying""Your baby will figure i...
10/22/2025

My Bottle Refusal Betrayal list…🍼

Ever heard someone say anything on this list?

"Just keep trying"

"Your baby will figure it out"

"Your milk is the problem"

"Just keep trying different bottles"

"You don't need a bottle until you go back to work"

"Bottle refusal isn't a real thing"

If so… you're in good company.

Also, I could do without faster flow bottle ni***es too.

Remember: bottle refusal is real, and you don’t have to face it alone. 

So, if you're dealing with bottle refusal, you can always send me a message. đź’™

Christina’s words mean so much to me 💙When Christina reached out, she was navigating some challenges with feeding, and I...
10/21/2025

Christina’s words mean so much to me 💙

When Christina reached out, she was navigating some challenges with feeding, and I'm so glad we were able to work through them together.

What means the most to me is when parents feel supported and understood during what can be a vulnerable time. 

Creating a space where you feel comfortable asking questions and finding solutions that work for your family is always the goal. 

So, if you're facing a feeding challenge and aren't sure where to turn, I'm here. 

Sometimes having someone in your corner who understands the complexities of infant feeding can make all the difference.

You always send me a message if you have any questions đź’™

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Falls Church, VA
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