Christy Shields, IBCLC

03/24/2026

03/21/2026

The sleep industry is targeting your vulnerability. As a developmental speech therapist I have an unpopular opinion: your baby needs to be unswaddled for sleep starting by 2–3 weeks, not 2-3 months

Swaddling can feel like magic in the early days.
It quiets the chaos. It helps babies settle. It gives exhausted parents a moment to breathe.

But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough…

Babies are supposed to move in their sleep.

That startle reflex everyone is trying to “fix”?
It’s not a flaw. It’s part of how their undeveloped nervous system organizes and matures.

When we tightly swaddle day after day, night after night, we dampen that process. We override the very movements that help babies learn where their bodies are in space. Research has also shown that dampening the startle also increases the risk of SIDS

Stretching. Startling. Bringing hands to face. Kicking. Turning the head.

That’s not disruption.
That’s development.

When movement is restricted for long stretches:
– Reflexes can take longer to integrate
– Muscles don’t get the same opportunity to strengthen
– Head position stays more fixed, increasing risk of flat spots (which can lead to needing a helmet later on) or increase the risk of tortícolis
– Babies have fewer chances to practice natural repositioning

And over time, that “good sleeper” can become a baby who struggles more with movement, strength, and coordination. Or who struggles for longer to sleep without aids

Swaddling has a place, especially in the earliest days.
But it was never meant to be a long-term sleep solution.

By 2–3 weeks, babies benefit from more freedom than we often give them.

Because sleep isn’t just about rest. It’s also an active time of growth, wiring, and learning. So by the time they are developmentally able to roll they’ve already practiced all the skills they need to get there

Your baby doesn’t need to be stilled to sleep well.
They need the space to move, to startle, to stretch
To become strong in their own body.

How long did you swaddle for?

03/08/2026

One of the coolest things about breast milk is that it isn’t made from the contents of your stomach. It’s made from your blood. Your mammary glands act like tiny, very sophisticated filters that pull nutrients, water, fats, sugars, and proteins from the bloodstream and turn them into milk. That means when you eat something with protein (like dairy, soy, eggs, etc.), the protein itself doesn’t just “fall into the milk.” First it’s digested, broken down into amino acids, absorbed into your blood, and then small pieces of those proteins can pass into milk. Because of that process, it usually takes a few hours for dietary proteins to show up in breast milk, and they gradually clear from the milk over about 24 hours or so after you stop eating them. For most babies this is completely fine. But some babies have immature or sensitive digestive systems and can react to certain proteins, most commonly cow’s milk protein, which can lead to symptoms like gassiness, mucus in stools, reflux-like discomfort, or fussiness. It’s not because the milk is “bad”, it’s just the baby’s gut saying, hey, this protein is tricky for me right now. The good news is that as babies grow and their digestive systems mature, many of these sensitivities improve over time. 💛

02/27/2026

A gentle reminder about our Car Seat Safety Check event this coming Monday, March 2 from 8:30–11:30 AM

If you’ve ever wondered whether your car seat is installed correctly, if it’s time to switch seats, or just want a second set of eyes — we’re here to help.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on site to check installs, answer questions, and help you feel confident about your setup. For families who need extra support, we’ll also have a limited number of car seats available — including replacements for seats that are no longer safe or the right fit.

If possible, please arrive with your car seat installed and your child with you 🤍 In addition to checks and education, we do have a limited number of car seats available for families who need support — whether you don’t currently have one or your current seat is no longer safe or appropriate for your child.

Our goal is simple: to help ensure every child leaves properly secured and safe.

02/27/2026

🙌🏻 when babies aren’t gaining, volume is usually the issue! But consult with an IBCLC to help you figure out the best course of action.

You wouldn’t go to a podiatrist to figure out why your allergies are acting up so don’t rely on quick advice from other providers when there are experts in lactation available to help!

02/20/2026

Also add 5 min of hand expression on each side after pumping if baby is not also latching. The combination of pumping with a double electric pump along with hand expression has the best outcomes in establishing an abundant supply when baby isn’t latching.

02/18/2026

⬇️ Low Weight Gain in Newborns
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🧈 Low Fat in Breast Milk

Low weight gain in newborns is almost always about low volume of milk getting into baby — not “thin” milk or low fat content.

If your baby isn’t gaining well, the first question isn’t “Is my milk fatty enough?”
It’s 👉 “Is baby getting enough milk?”

The two most common reasons:
• Milk supply challenges
• Baby’s ability to effectively transfer milk

✨ The good news: both can be assessed and supported.

Book a lactation appointment at Growing Green Families for an evaluation to determine whether it’s a milk supply issue or a milk transfer (baby ability) issue — and get a clear plan forward.

02/13/2026

This is why it is super important to offer both breasts at each feeding in the early postpartum period. Once supply is fully established, some babies will be satisfied feeding on one side, some will need both, but most will take both at some feeds and only one at others.

02/12/2026

I couldn’t agree more!

Breastfeeding is better with chiropractic care. The pushing and pulling on baby’s head and neck throughout birth can irritate the cranial nerves that regulate the latch, sucking, swallowing, and side preference. This results in uncomfortable and inefficient feeding, making breastfeeding more difficult and less likely to be sustainable for both mom and baby. A gentle chiropractic adjustment can restore normal spinal motion, allowing the nervous system to properly regulate and coordinate function throughout the body, especially as it pertains to breastfeeding. Combined with the support of a trained lactation consultant, chiropractic is an important part of supporting moms and babies immediately after birth.
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Here baby Ophelia, just 4 days old, sleeps peacefully through her first adjustment. Mom noticed a more comfortable latch and easier feeds soon after her visit.
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Find a pediatric-trained chiropractor through the ICPA by searching icpa4kids.com

02/12/2026