Shelly Taft LPN, IBCLC

Shelly Taft LPN, IBCLC 1:1 breastfeeding support, online prenatal classes, sleep education coaching from Shelly Taft, LPN a

I'm a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Doula, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Based in Worcester County, MA, I've been supporting new families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 2007. I know that every parent is different, so I don't believe in a cookie-cutter approach to lactation help. I will work with you to develop a breastfeeding plan that works for your life and your family. I've supported more than a thousand families in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and I'd be honored to help you, too.

Teething can make feeding uncomfortable for babies and stressful for parents! 😢 Many parents don’t realize that simple a...
02/19/2026

Teething can make feeding uncomfortable for babies and stressful for parents! 😢 Many parents don’t realize that simple adjustments can keep feeds calm and prevent frustration.

Offer a chilled (not frozen) teething toy before feeding to soothe gums. Breastfeed or bottle feed in a slightly upright position to reduce pressure on sore gums. Shorter, more frequent feeds may also help.

Is teething making feeds tricky? Comment below with your experience I can guide you through these challenging weeks with reassurance and strategies.

02/18/2026

Feeling overwhelmed after giving birth? You’re not alone. 💛

The SAINT PPD Study at UMass Chan Medical School is testing a promising, non-invasive brain stimulation therapy for postpartum depression designed to help restore balance without medication.

If you’re within 12 months postpartum and experiencing symptoms of depression, you may qualify to participate in this clinical trial.

📧 SAINT-PPD-STUDY@UMASSMED.EDU
📞 508-334-1055

Learn more and see if this study could be right for you or someone you love.

Feeding multiples can feel like juggling - but tandem feeding can save time and keep your babies calm. 🍼💛 Many parents d...
02/17/2026

Feeding multiples can feel like juggling - but tandem feeding can save time and keep your babies calm. 🍼💛 Many parents don’t realize that with the right positions, it’s doable and even bonding!

Use a double football hold or side-lying positions for tandem breastfeeding label bottles when bottle feeding multiples to track intake accurately and reduce stress.

Are you feeding twins or more? Share your story, and I can help create a feeding plan that works for your whole family.

02/13/2026

Feeding your baby can bring up so many questions - and you deserve support as you navigate it.
I offer gentle, evidence-based, judgment-free feeding support for parents who are breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or doing both.

If you’re looking for reassurance, clarity, and a calm space to talk things through, I’m here.

🤍 Comment “support” and I’ll DM you the link to book an appointment.








Have you ever seen a weighted blanket for babies and thought, that looks so cozy?You’re not alone - we all want our babi...
02/11/2026

Have you ever seen a weighted blanket for babies and thought, that looks so cozy?
You’re not alone - we all want our babies to feel safe, snug, and sleep better. 🤍

But here’s something many parents aren’t told:
Weighted blankets aren’t safe for infants and may increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
Babies simply don’t have the strength or coordination to move heavy fabric away from their face or chest. Even light pressure can make it harder for them to breathe while sleeping.

The safest sleep space really is the simplest one:
✨ Firm, flat mattress
✨ Fitted sheet only
✨ Baby on their back
✨ Nothing extra in the crib

No blankets. No pillows. No weighted products.
It might not look as “cozy,” but it’s what keeps your baby safest - and that peace of mind matters most.
Simple. Clear. Safe. Always. 🤍

02/10/2026

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or doing both - feeding your baby is about nourishment and connection.

Babies bond through:
• Being held close
• Feeling safe
• Eye contact
• Responsive care

The method matters far less than the presence you bring to the moment. You’re doing important work. 🤍









Many parents don’t realize this early on: combination feeding is incredibly common. Some families combine feeding for fl...
02/06/2026

Many parents don’t realize this early on: combination feeding is incredibly common.
Some families combine feeding for flexibility, rest, supply support, or shared caregiving. There is no rule that says feeding must be all or nothing.

Your feeding journey gets to evolve as your needs change. 🤍

Need help figuring out a combo feeding plan? I offer judgment-free support to help you find a feeding plan that works for you.

Comment “feeding plan” and I’ll DM you a link to book a consult.









02/05/2026

Parenting a baby can feel overwhelming, especially when feeding or sleep isn’t going the way you hoped. You don’t need more opinions or pressure… You need support that actually meets you where you are.

I provide judgment-free, evidence-based feeding and sleep support tailored to your baby and your family. Whether you’re navigating newborn sleep, bottle or breastfeeding, combination feeding, or just need reassurance that you’re doing a good job, I’m here for you 🤍

You deserve answers, confidence, and a plan that feels doable, not guilt.

✨ Ready for personalized support?
👉 Book your appointment through the link in my bio and let’s create a plan that works for your baby.

Link Here: https://www.shellytaftibclc.com/breastfeeding-support/

Myth: Bottle feeding affects bonding.Truth: Bonding comes from closeness, responsiveness, and love - not the feeding met...
02/03/2026

Myth: Bottle feeding affects bonding.
Truth: Bonding comes from closeness, responsiveness, and love - not the feeding method.

Holding your baby close, responding to cues, and offering comfort builds secure attachment- whether feeding by breast or bottle.

Bonding is about presence. 🤍









Myth: If feeding is hard, you’re doing it wrong.Truth: Feeding a baby is a learned skill - and challenges are incredibly...
02/02/2026

Myth: If feeding is hard, you’re doing it wrong.
Truth: Feeding a baby is a learned skill - and challenges are incredibly common.

Needing help doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you care and want support. And that’s something to honor.









One of the most common worries I hear from parents is, “How do I know my baby is getting enough?”Some reassuring signs i...
02/01/2026

One of the most common worries I hear from parents is, “How do I know my baby is getting enough?”

Some reassuring signs include:
✔ Regular wet diapers - at least 6 wet and 3 stool diapers a day in the early weeks.
✔ Steady weight gain - babies should be at or above birth weight by 2 weeks old and stay along their growth curve.
✔ Periods of contentment after feeds
Questions are normal. Support matters. You don’t have to guess your way through this season.


Sleep challenges can leave parents feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure.I offer gentle, developmentally appropriat...
01/28/2026

Sleep challenges can leave parents feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure.

I offer gentle, developmentally appropriate sleep support that meets you where you are - without pressure, fear, or rigid rules.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Support can change everything. 🤍

📩 DM me to learn more.









Address

218 Shrewsbury Street
Worcester, MA
01604

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shelly Taft LPN, IBCLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Shelly Taft LPN, IBCLC:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category