Ep 39: Breastfeeding Basics: How to Set Yourself Up For Success with Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC

Jun 7, 2018

Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC is a lactation consultant in San Diego, CA. She launched the San Diego Breastfeeding Center in 2009 and has recently published her first book, Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage. Robin was kind enough to sit down with the Birth Kweens to discuss breastfeeding. Here’s an overview of what’s covered in this episode:

• A bit about Robin’s background and how she became a lactation consultant
• Info about Robin’s non-profit, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation
• The Boob Group Podcast
• An overview of the benefits of breastfeeding
• Some of the most common challenges that arise with breastfeeding
• The importance of getting support early on in a breastfeeding journey, especially if you’re having any challenges
• The role that partners/other family members can play in supporting the breastfeeding journey
• What the average breastfeeding journey looks like for the first couple of weeks
• The number of wet and dirty diapers you want to see and the number of feedings a baby should be doing in a 24 hour period
• The importance of honoring the forth trimester and how doing so supports breastfeeding
• If/when pacifiers and bottles should be introduced to a baby
• What the ‘witching hour’ is and why it happens
• How having flat or inverted nipples might impact breastfeeding and some tools that can be used to assist with breastfeeding in these situations
  • Supple Cups
  • Breast shells
  • Lansinoh Latch Assist
• Some info about drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. Click hereto read the article from KellyMom.com that Robin references.
• Robin’s suggestions for helpful breastfeeding gear:
  • Coconut oil (to use as nipple cream)
  • Nursing pillow
    • My Breast Friend
    • Boppy
    • Ergo Nursing Pillow
    • Nesting Pilllow from Blessed Nest
  • Something to baby wear in (some popular options are wraps,ring slings, or structured carriers such as the Ergo 360)
  • An electric breast pump (a popular option is the Spectra)
  • A hand pump
• Click here to buy Robin’s new book!

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