Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC

Rachel O'Brien, IBCLC Lactation consultant in Wayland MA
I help you feed your baby (IRL or virtual)
No guilt, no shame!
(1)

Rachel O’Brien is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who earned her Master of Arts degree in human lactation in 2015. Rachel prides herself on providing real-life, guilt-free breastfeeding help and specializes in low milk supply, latch difficulty, bottle refusal, tongue tie and lip tie, and LGBTQIA+ lactation. When she isn’t doing office or virtual visits for breastfeeding help Rachel is often blogging about lactation or mentoring other private practice IBCLCs. She uses her expertise, warmth, and sense of humor to help families to meet their breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals. When she’s not working you can find Rachel at home in Sudbury where she is always either playing with her three children, knitting, or watching drag queens.

‼️ There's a difference between "oops, that pinches, let's get it better" and toe curling pain ‼️Nursing a baby can some...
12/31/2025

‼️ There's a difference between "oops, that pinches, let's get it better" and toe curling pain ‼️

Nursing a baby can sometimes be challenging, but you shouldn’t be in pain while doing it!

A client recently told me that when she was in extreme pain with latch, a nurse cheerfully told her "oh honey that's just the 60 second sizzle, it's normal." 😳

IT. IS. NOT. NORMAL.

You'll want to do at least one of these, and possibly all of them:
⭐️ fix the latch
⭐️ use ni**le butter/cream after feeds/pumps
⭐️ heal the wounds
⭐️ avoid soaks, scrubbing, tea bags, and other common suggestions
⭐️ give your nips a break while keeping your milk supply strong

💗If you are experiencing painful, bleeding or cracked ni**les, it’s best to seek help from an IBCLC to figure out what’s wrong and how you can fix it before causing further damage. And if you DO see a lactation professional and they tell you "everything looks great, it'll get better" SEE SOMEONE ELSE! Comment “lactation support” down below and I’ll send you the link to book your consultation! 🥰

Have you ever suffered from painful, bleeding, or cracked ni**les? What did you do to soothe them? Comment down below! ⬇️

Sometimes being an IBCLC sucks. 💗You will rarely hear me say ANYTHING negative about my chosen profession. I love my job...
12/30/2025

Sometimes being an IBCLC sucks. 💗

You will rarely hear me say ANYTHING negative about my chosen profession. I love my job, the amazing families that I see and the wonderful IBCLCs I chat with every day to brainstorm. But every job comes with its downsides right? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Here are 5 things that make me wave my hands in the air and curse repeatedly.

👉🏻 I can't do it for you (the other day my son overheard a friend saying "Max's mom breastfed my little brother!" Um... that's not how this job works)
👉🏻 I can't move in/stay the night/come over every time your baby needs to eat
👉🏻 I can't turn back time, as much as I wish I could
👉🏻 I can't solve all infant feeding problems instantly (in fact I can't solve them at all- I teach YOU to do that)
👉🏻 I don't find out how the story ends…

⭐️ Which is why it's SUPER exciting for me when you have another baby and come back to see me! I absolutely love hearing how things went the last time, what you would do again, and what is absolutely off the table this time around. 🥰

👀 (But hey, even if you don't have another kid, feel free to drop me a message when you and your baby level up and don't need me anymore! 😎 I absolutely love seeing their little faces and celebrating your hard work!) 🫶🏼

🥰 If you’re looking for help on your breastfeeding or bottlefeeding journey, I’m your girl. Book yourself a consultation at the link in bio and we can work together to get your baby fed!

Are you an IBCLC? What do you think are the worst parts about what we do? Comment down below! ⬇️

🧐 “Why are so many babies tongue-tied now?” Let’s clear this up…It might feel like everyone is talking about tongue ties...
12/29/2025

🧐 “Why are so many babies tongue-tied now?” Let’s clear this up…

It might feel like everyone is talking about tongue ties these days- but that doesn’t mean they’re suddenly more common. 🤯

Here’s what’s actually going on 👇

Tongue ties (or ‘tethered oral tissues’/TOTs; tight, short, or restrictive frenums under the tongue) have always existed. What’s changed? Awareness.

As breastfeeding becomes more common (👏 yes to that!), more parents are seeking support from IBCLCs and pediatric providers. And naturally, that means more tongue ties are being identified.

But here’s the tricky part:
There’s no single, standardized way to assess tongue ties. It’s a functional issue, not just anatomical—which means what looks “normal” might still cause feeding challenges.

That’s why some ties get missed. Especially with bottle-fed babies where symptoms can be more subtle. 🍼

Do I think that all babies with feeding problems have tongue ties? Absolutely not! There are so many things that affect your baby’s oral function. Checking for ties is just one part of the puzzle.

So no- tongue ties aren’t suddenly an epidemic. We’re just finally looking closer, asking the right questions, and supporting parents better. 💪

✨ Have questions about tongue ties and feeding? I’m here to help.
Drop a “TIE” in the comments and I’ll reach out about how a 1:1 consult can give you clarity and support.
























**leconfusion


Oxytocin is the behind-the-scenes MVP of breastfeeding. 🤍When your baby latches or when you start pumping (especially on...
12/26/2025

Oxytocin is the behind-the-scenes MVP of breastfeeding. 🤍

When your baby latches or when you start pumping (especially once you’re in a rhythm), your brain releases oxytocin. That’s what triggers the let-down reflex; your tiny milk ducts get a gentle squeeze and milk starts flowing faster.

And it’s not just about milk.

Oxytocin is also the “ahhh” hormone. It can help you feel calmer, more connected, and a little more soft around the edges- which is why pressure, pain, stress, and feeling watched can make let-down harder… even with a pump. (Not a mindset issue. A nervous system issue.)

So yes- oxytocin supports the milk.

And the bond. And your sanity.

source- Cleveland Clinic, 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22618-oxytocin






Milk & cookies takes on a whole new meaning this year. 🎄May your treats be plentiful, and may your outfit survive the fu...
12/25/2025

Milk & cookies takes on a whole new meaning this year. 🎄

May your treats be plentiful, and may your outfit survive the full day.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! 🎄☃⛄

You’re allowed to nurse your baby and also move your body. 💪💛Let’s clear this up...Exercise doesn’t lower milk supply.It...
12/23/2025

You’re allowed to nurse your baby and also move your body. 💪💛

Let’s clear this up...
Exercise doesn’t lower milk supply.
It doesn’t water down your milk.
It doesn’t make it “bad” for your baby.

What the research shows:
No drop in milk volume with normal exercise
No change in nutrients in your milk
No negative impact on your baby’s growth

Your milk stays tailored to your baby, whether you’re on the couch or sweating through a workout while someone small demands a snack.

What about lactic acid and “sour milk”? 🤔
After very intense, all-out exercise, lactic acid in breast milk can go up briefly
That can change the flavor for a short time (think minutes to an hour)
This is rare, and most babies don’t notice or don’t mind at all

If your baby does seem picky after a super hard workout, you can:
Nurse or feed pumped milk before your workout
Wait a little bit after a high-intensity session before nursing again

Big picture: a well-rounded diet and enough fluids are key, especially when you’re breastfeeding and exercising. Your body needs fuel. 🥑💧
Eat regularly—carbs, protein, fats, and snacks
Drink to thirst and a bit beyond, especially around workouts
If supply feels low, we look first at milk removal, calories, and rest—not your workout

There’s even a small study showing a slight increase in milk supply in people who exercised regularly. The sample was tiny, but it fits what we already know: supporting your health supports feeding, too.

You’re allowed to feel strong.
You’re allowed to protect your mental health.
You’re allowed to move your body and still be an excellent breastfeeding parent. 🫶











source- La Leche League International, 2020 https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/exercise/
source- Lovelady et al., 1990 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2360539/

“How much milk do I leave when I’m away from my baby?” 🍼If your baby’s nursing at the breast/chest at all, you’re not go...
12/22/2025

“How much milk do I leave when I’m away from my baby?” 🍼

If your baby’s nursing at the breast/chest at all, you’re not going to know exactly how many ounces they’re taking. That’s normal and expected. We look at diapers, growth, and behavior, not food logs. ✅

For most babies, the amount of milk they need in a day stays pretty steady from about 1–6 months, then gradually shifts from 6–12 months as solids do more of the work.

Newborn–1 month: 👶
Intake ramps up quickly in the first 1–2 weeks
Around day 3, many babies take roughly 20–30 mL (about 0.75–1 oz) per feed
Around 2 weeks, lots of babies are closer to 60–90 mL (2–3 oz) per feed
Feeds are often 8–12+ times in 24 hours

1–6 months:
Most babies take about 25–30 oz (750–900 mL) in 24 hours
That amount is similar whether it’s breast milk or infant formula
Age and weight usually don’t change the volume as dramatically as people expect
Your body slightly adjusts the recipe of your milk
Formula-fed babies sometimes have bigger, more frequent bottles, but their 24-hour total’s usually similar to breastfed babies

6–12 months:
When solids start, milk’s still the main source of nutrition at first
As solids increase, milk usually decreases slowly
By the end of the first year, many babies take less milk than they did around 4–5 months because more energy’s coming from food

If you’re planning bottles:
Start with your baby’s total daily intake (often 25–30 oz in the early months)
Divide it across their usual number of feeds
Then adjust based on your baby’s cues, diapers, and growth

Your baby’s built to self-regulate. The “right” amount is the one that works for your baby, not what someone else’s baby takes. 💛









source- International Breastfeeding Journal, 2012

At-breast supplementers (aka supplemental nursing system, SNS) let your baby get extra milk while staying latched- so yo...
12/22/2025

At-breast supplementers (aka supplemental nursing system, SNS) let your baby get extra milk while staying latched- so you can top up while baby is also getting milk directly from you.

They come in clutch when you've got to get more milk into baby but you just want to nurse, not bottle feed.

No lie though- they can be FIDDLY at first! And messy. Practice helps.

Your IBCLC should be able to help you find a good SNS that works for you and your baby.








source- https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/supplementing/

Milk output with a pump isn’t a perfect reflection of your supply 🤍It’s a reflection of milk removal with that pump, tha...
12/19/2025

Milk output with a pump isn’t a perfect reflection of your supply 🤍
It’s a reflection of milk removal with that pump, that setup, on that day.

These tips are about improving milk removal, so you can get more of what you already have available 💪🍼

📌 Save this post for the days your pump is being a little… dramatic 😅⚡️

📚 Source: La Leche League International, 2024

🍼
🤱
💡
🤍
📚
💼
🌿
🫶
💧

Will I have milk as soon as my baby’s born, or do I have to wait for it to ‘come in’? 👀If you’re asking this, your brain...
12/18/2025

Will I have milk as soon as my baby’s born, or do I have to wait for it to ‘come in’? 👀

If you’re asking this, your brain’s doing that fun postpartum spiral where everything feels urgent. Take a breath. Your body’s already on it.

By around 16–22 weeks of pregnancy, your breasts are making colostrum- your early milk. You might never see a single drop:
it might not leak
it can be really hard to hand express
and it’s still absolutely there

Colostrum is:
thick and concentrated
packed with antibodies and immune protection
designed to be given in tiny, powerful amounts

Your baby’s stomach is small and full at birth. Those little bits of colostrum aren’t “not enough”- they’re the plan. As days go by and your milk transitions to mature milk, your baby’s intake increases right along with it.

Typical colostrum intake (averages):
0–24 hours- about 2–10 mL per feed
By day 3- about 30–60 mL (1–2 oz) per feed

So no, you don’t have to “wait” to start making milk. You’re already doing it. Your baby is perfectly matched to the milk you make from the very beginning. 💛










source- https://www.bfmed.org/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/3-supplementation-protocol-english.pdf

You’re allowed to nurse your baby and also move your body. 💪💛Let’s clear this up...Exercise doesn’t lower milk supply.It...
12/17/2025

You’re allowed to nurse your baby and also move your body. 💪💛

Let’s clear this up...
Exercise doesn’t lower milk supply.
It doesn’t water down your milk.
It doesn’t make it “bad” for your baby.

What the research shows:
No drop in milk volume with normal exercise
No change in nutrients in your milk
No negative impact on your baby’s growth

Your milk stays tailored to your baby, whether you’re on the couch or sweating through a workout while someone small demands a snack.

What about lactic acid and “sour milk”? 🤔
After very intense, all-out exercise, lactic acid in breast milk can go up briefly
That can change the flavor for a short time (think minutes to an hour)
This is rare, and most babies don’t notice or don’t mind at all

If your baby does seem picky after a super hard workout, you can:
Nurse or feed pumped milk before your workout
Wait a little bit after a high-intensity session before nursing again

Big picture: a well-rounded diet and enough fluids are key, especially when you’re breastfeeding and exercising. Your body needs fuel. 🥑💧
Eat regularly—carbs, protein, fats, and snacks
Drink to thirst and a bit beyond, especially around workouts
If supply feels low, we look first at milk removal, calories, and rest—not your workout

There’s even a small study showing a slight increase in milk supply in people who exercised regularly. The sample was tiny, but it fits what we already know: supporting your health supports feeding, too.

You’re allowed to feel strong.
You’re allowed to protect your mental health.
You’re allowed to move your body and still be an excellent breastfeeding parent. 🫶











source- La Leche League International, 2020 https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/exercise/
source- Lovelady et al., 1990 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2360539/

In the U.S., bottles are a practical necessity for most families. Acting like they’re taboo doesn’t help you. 🍼✨Quick re...
12/16/2025

In the U.S., bottles are a practical necessity for most families. Acting like they’re taboo doesn’t help you. 🍼✨

Quick reality check from U.S. data:

By 2 months, most breast/chestfeeding parents are pumping. (CDC)

By 3 months, over half of breastfed babies are getting pumped milk in a bottle. (CDC) 🍼💧

Many parents return to work within weeks to months postpartum—so bottles become logistics, not a moral stance.

So yeah, bottles come up constantly in my office.

And a reminder: IBCLCs aren’t “latch-only” helpers.
Our standards require full baby + feeding assessments and education on feeding devices like bottles and ni**les/teats. Bottle refusal is literally listed in our scope of practice.

Ignoring bottles doesn’t protect breastfeeding.
It just leaves parents stuck learning from Google or from companies with products to sell. No thanks. 🙅‍♀️📱

Important note: not every IBCLC has strong bottle training.
Bottles are in our core competencies, but experience varies. Many IBCLCs are wrongly taught they “can’t” talk about bottles because they’re mentioned in the WHO Code. 🤦‍♀️

If you’re booking with an IBCLC for bottle-feeding help, ask:

Do you frequently work with bottle refusal or aversion?
Do you teach baby-led/responsive bottle skills?
Do you help families balance bottles and nursing without tanking supply?

You deserve someone who’s comfortable in the bottle world and who keeps your feeding goals front and center. 💛🍼🤱

Sources: CDC Infant Feeding Practices Study II (U.S.), 2005–2007


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Wayland, MA
01778

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Breastfeeding can be hard; I can help.

I’m a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who earned my Master of Arts degree in human lactation in 2015. I pride myself on providing real-life, guilt-free breastfeeding help and I specialize in low milk supply, latch difficulty, tongue tie and lip tie, and LGBTQIA+ lactation.

I use my expertise, warmth, and sense of humor (and sarcasm) to help families to meet their breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals- whatever those goals may be. My lactation services are evidence-based and judgement free.

When I’m not doing in-home visits for breastfeeding help or working as a lactation consultant at UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester, I’m often blogging about lactation or contributing as a breastfeeding expert on Romper.com and FitPregnancy.com. When I’m not working you can find me at home in Sudbury where I’’m always either playing with my three children, knitting, or watching drag queens.