As a breastfeeding parent, I know firsthand the never ending questions and worries that can pop up during a baby’s feeding journey, and how it relates to sleep! My hope is for this blog to offer you information from a trusted professional to support your feeding journey.

Britt is a local mama of 2, the founder and owner of Lark & Lux and a fearless feeder. She is an IBCLC Candidate and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to support wherever you’re at in your baby feeding journey. 

lark & lux logo

I first connected with Britt in May 2022 when my daughter was 7 days old and I was experiencing significant nipple pain and difficulty feeding on my right side. Crying during nursing and wincing in pain, Britt was my saving grace at the start of my  daughter’s feeding journey! Britt was knowledgeable and offered a warm and supportive approach to my worries and questions. She provided immediate recommendations to support my breastfeeding journey and now, at 17-months, I continue to breastfeed my daughter. 

Before we dive into content, this blog is not individualized medical/feeding advice. If you have concerns about your feeding journey, your child’s weight gain or need more personalized support, please contact your child’s primary care provider and/or book a direct consultation with Britt. 

How did you become an IBCLC?

After a challenging start to breastfeeding my own daughter in 2016 that included both lactation consultant and dentist for a tongue tie release, I actually started a line of breastfeeding clothing that was made for nip slips. Through building an online community there, I realized people needed more support! Then I had my second child in 2018 and we also had a challenging start to feeding. It was then that I realized, maybe I could BE that support for people. It seemed like a daunting task to become an IBCLC since I’m not from the healthcare field, so I started with a stepping stone certification, called a Certified Lactation Educator. From there I took a 90- hour course through Mohawk College, made sure I had my 14 prerequisite courses in healthcare and science, found a mentor and did 500 hours of supervised practical learning and then *finally* in September 2023 I wrote the International Exam. It seemed like such a long road when I started! 

What is your favourite part about supporting a family’s feeding journey?

People can often forget to think about feeding while pregnant- it’s definitely not as fun as decorating a nursery or buying clothes! But by the time the baby comes, it seems critically important, and I suppose it is! It can also be challenging to trust your body and baby to work in harmony together as designed- we’ve become so used to tracking data in all aspects of our life, but babies are humans with their own agendas! I love being able to teach people about infant development and the progression of lactation over time and watching their confidence bloom…and then knowing they will be able to give that other mama they meet at the park who is struggling a friendly boost too. 

If you could give one piece of feeding advice to a first-time pregnant person, what would it be? 

Don’t wait until after the baby is born to contact an IBCLC. You can get a good head start prenatally, whether it’s your first baby, or a subsequent baby. Knowing how to manage early issues, knowing what is actually an issue vs normal newborn feeding, and how to advocate in hospital is all part of a prenatal consultation. If parents want to and are approved by their provider, we can also work on prenatal colostrum collection, which is a great insurance policy for early feeding troubles when hospitals might want to supplement formula, you have your own milk instead!

mom breastfeeding baby in chair

What are your thoughts on soothers from a nursing/oral perspective?

I love a calm baby as much as anyone! Sucking is an infant’s way to regulate their nervous system, and when they suck at the breast or a bottle, it’s a bonus that they get a little snack too. Soothers, as long as they are the correct shape and used correctly are no problem! I love a long narrow soother that is hard work for the baby to keep in the mouth, this promotes good oral development and makes it undesirable for them to keep it in for a long time. I also love when using a soother just to soothe, and then we remove it, not creating an association with anything else like a car ride or nap time, and then getting rid of the soother by 6 months. Extended soother use can lead to poor oral development and prolonged soother sessions can lead to missed feeds- that I don’t love!

Do you have any tips for a family that is looking to introduce a bottle in the night to support a nursing parent’s sleep? 

Bottles are a handy way to let a caregiver participate in feeding. Depending on where mom is in lactation and establishing a milk supply, she will *probably* need to pump while that bottle is happening overnight. Ideally, not going longer than 3 hours without emptying the breast is optimal for milk supply. However, there are some families that need to or want to prioritize sleep over milk supply, and that is always an option I support too. Getting a baby accustomed to bottle feeding during the day is the best way to get started. Using the right tool, like a Dr Browns long narrow nipple bottle, and the right technique, like Paced Bottle Feeding, and the right timing, before 4 months, will help parents be most successful. 

baby drinking milk from a bottle

How could a family know their baby is ready to night wean (e.g., feeding for hunger vs. comfort). We know both are biologically normal and important, but some families need to transition away from night feeds for various reasons.

Yes absolutely. I would want to know baby is eating plenty of breastmilk or formula during the daytime, eating family foods well, and have no history of weight gain concerns. If the answer is iffy on any of these, night time calories are probably still important to overall growth and development. Night waking is biologically appropriate in the first year and while breastfeeding back to sleep can be a convenient option, it isn’t always that easy, which is why I’m glad people like you are here!

What is your professional opinion on dream feeds? 

LOVE THEM- but only if you and your baby love them. If you have a baby that senses you and wants to wake up and hang out, skip it! If you have a baby that is happy to be picked up, fed and put back down without a fuss, by all means dream feed, especially if there is a concern with weight gain! You can read more about dream feeds on this blog Chelsea wrote. 

Is there a recommended number of times a baby should be nursing in a 24-hour period based on age?

I know we all hear 8 times in 24 hours, but that is really a very bare minimum. We wouldn’t want a baby going more than 3 hours without a feed- and that’s breast or bottle. Instead, feeding on demand is an easier way to frame our thinking. Even looking at yourself, there are days you’re ravenous and could eat 3 square meals and 2 snacks, and other days when you look up and realize it’s 3:00 and you’ve been nibbling the same bowl of almonds all day. Babies are the same, and it is the primary objective to grow grow grow, so we need to give them the calories to do so when they tell us they’re hungry. 

How could a family connect with you that is looking for more individualized support? 

I’m always available for a 10-minute call via my website to see if we’re a good fit. If you need more immediate assistance, you can book online or be in touch over social media and I can get you sorted! I love visiting you in your home and helping you on your couch, your chair, or your bed to get comfortable feeding. 

women with blonde hair holding a knit breast

For more support on your baby’s feeding journey, you can visit Britt on Instagram (@larkandlux) and on her website linked here.

Wishing you a smooth feeding journey!

Chelsea & Britt

By Published On: October 13, 2023Categories: Breastfeeding, Guest Blogs