When I started Lactation Link, I had a few main goals:
1. To raise awareness that, “Prenatal breastfeeding education is the single-most important factor in breastfeeding initiation and duration” (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force).
2. To make evidence-based breastfeeding education available to as many women as possible!
Making research-based, IBCLC-led classes available anytime is one step in the right direction. Last Tuesday I launched my newly designed website. One of the newest features is the ability to access my breastfeeding classes in an on-demand viewing option. This means you can click and watch the courses at anytime, anywhere, in your pajamas! The classes are listed on this website under ‘Lactation Classes’ then ‘On-demand video classes’. If using a mobile device, be sure to click the arrows for the drop-down menus to appear. Here’s a little description of what each class offers:
Breastfeeding Basics
Topics included in this 70-minute course: benefits to mom and baby, anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding, breastmilk composition, let-down reflex, kangaroo mother care, latch, positioning, hand expression, frequency of feeding, nipple care, what to do when baby won’t latch, hunger cues, support and planning, and FAQs. Course contains photo and video demonstration. Breastfeeding Basics is helpful not only for first-time Moms but also women who have breastfed previously.
Intermediate Breastfeeding
This 60-min course is a great follow-up to Breastfeeding Basics. For all Moms, common problems tend to arise sometime during breastfeeding. That’s why it’s important to have tools and education beyond the basics! Topics include: skin breakdown, jaundice, thrush, mastitis, tongue-tie, nipple shield, increasing milk supply, oversupply, slow weight gain, nursing strikes, biting, surgery/illness, caffeine/alcohol/med consumption, breastfeeding the older baby, introducing solids, etc. Breastfeeding Basics course content not reviewed during this class.
Pumping and Storing breastmilk (previously called ‘Returning to Work and breastfeeding’)
This 45-min course is a must for all moms wanting to learn how to maximize milk expression and the safe handling of breastmilk. Great for mothers who are planning to return to work! Also very beneficial for those at risk for pre-term delivery, planning travel, or even for the occasional mother/baby separation time. It discusses employer compliance, how to get your free breastpump through the ACA, pump parts, maximizing milk expression, introducing a bottle, caregiver tips, and managing our many roles as women. It also covers when and how to start building up a “freezer stockpile” of milk. Safe handling, storage, and warming guidelines for breastmilk. Breastfeeding Basics and Intermediate Breastfeeding course content not reviewed during this class.
On-demand bundle
Take all 3 of my Breastfeeding courses to best prepare for baby! Breastfeeding Basics, Intermediate Breastfeeding, and Pumping and Storing Breastmilk will help you get started, manage common problems, and allow you to continue breastfeeding for planned or unplanned times away from baby. Best value.
FAQs about my classes
How long do I have to watch the classes?
Once purchased, you have a week to watch! Once you begin viewing, you can pause and return to viewing as much as you like in 72 hours. The classes also come with a powerpoint outline to follow along and take notes. Look here to see how to print the outline with 3 slides per page for note-taking. These three breastfeeding classes can be purchased individually or as a bundle.
When is a good time to start taking the classes?
Anytime after 12 weeks gestation is a good time to start. You will take notes with the provided outline and review those many times before delivery. The classes are also beneficial for those who are postpartum.
I breastfed my other two kids for a year, which class would benefit me?
I’ve had so many Moms who have breastfed previously tell me my courses were beneficial. It is always a good idea to refresh and many clients tell me they learned new things. It’s also a good idea to prepare during each pregnancy because every baby is different! I’ve done many home and hospital visits where clients tell me, “I never had these issues with my previous breastfeeding experiences, this baby is so different!”
Breastfeeding Basics is offered twice a month in Highland, UT. This interactive class is informative and fun! The live, 90-min format includes the topics: benefits to Mom and baby, anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding, breastmilk composition, let-down reflex, kangaroo mother care, latch, positioning, hand expression, frequency of feeding, nipple care, what to do when baby won’t latch, hunger cues, support and planning, and FAQs. Course contains photo, video, and hands-on demonstration. Life-sized breastfeeding dolls used by attendees. Spouses are welcome to attend. Grab bags for each attendee and also giveaways! Seats are limited.
I also offer personal consultations for my clients. For residents of Utah, I provide home and hospital visits to get breastfeeding off to the right start and help troubleshoot any issues. Some clients prefer a private breastfeeding class in their home. Others have taken my classes and need more specific information for: multiples, inverted nipples, inducing lactation for adoption, previous breastfeeding issues, etc. Some clients have me come to their home after delivery when they run into problems with latch, slow weight gain, milk supply, etc. Whatever your concern, let me give you the education, tools, and support to be successful breastfeeding your baby! These appts are booked through my email and I take appts throughout the week. I also take appts in my Highland office generally Wednesday afternoons (1PM, 2PM, 3PM – book here). You can also contact me for additional availability.
I also offer e-consults through email, phone, or secure video chat. These are 25-min personal sessions. This is a great option for evidence-based professional help wherever you are! Email is done by sending me your bulleted list of questions after registering for an appt (my email is hipaa-compliant). Phone is just a simple conversation. Video-chat is done through a clickable link you’ll receive after booking. E-consult appts on my website are Monday afternoons, but you can always contact me for additional availability.
Newsletter
Signing up for my newsletter is a great way to get all the latest happenings with Lactation Link! You’ll be alerted to exclusive tips and promos. Get signed up by entering your email in the right side bar of this home page.
The great thing about choosing to breastfeed is it cuts down on the amount of equipment necessary to feed our babies! So when my clients ask me what items may be helpful while breastfeeding, I only recommend things that have worked for me as a Mom and Lactation Consultant, as well as things many other breastfeeding Moms have found to work for them. Take a look at my Favorites section (with enclosed discounts) to see if any of these items may help you.
Education & Support
As a Labor & Delivery RN, I just hated seeing Moms disappointed in their breastfeeding experience! Many of these Moms didn’t know about the importance of prenatal breastfeeding education, they didn’t have sources of support in place, and they ended up weaning before they were ready. With breastfeeding, its not a matter of if but when issues will arise (big or small). The question is, will you have the tools to weather the storm! Getting all the education you can, and having a solid source of support is so important in reaching your breastfeeding goals. I’m here to be that source for you! Thanks for coming by today,
xoxo ~ Lindsey, RN, IBCLC
I’ve created this great e-mail course to help you get breastfeeding started on the right foot! Click the image below for more info.
Miscarriage is hard. For me, miscarrying the first time vs the fourth time was just as hard. I question over and over again if I did something wrong that caused it, or if there was something I could go back and change to keep it from happening. To help me cope with miscarrying, I found myself reading blog posts and forums about other women’s experiences with miscarriage. I also found that journaling about my experience and feelings was really therapeutic and it also helped for when someone wanted to talk about it, I had already tried to make sense of my over-abundance of emotions on paper.
