Susan Howard, IBCLC

Susan Howard, IBCLC Nurse. Lactation Consultant. Mentor. Lactogeek. Baby Bottle whisperer.

When your daughter finds you on a flyer and leaves you the best little note... 💛I'm honored to be presenting at the 2026...
06/02/2026

When your daughter finds you on a flyer and leaves you the best little note... 💛

I'm honored to be presenting at the 2026 B.E.S.T. Connection Lactation Conference: "Lactation Care for Optimal Outcomes."

My session is on Bottle Skills for the Bottle Refuser Needing Supplementation, which is a topic coming up constantly in practice lately.

For my fellow IBCLCs: this is an independent study, pre-recorded conference you can work through at your own pace. Sessions are available now through June 30, 2026, and you can earn CERPs and contact hours along the way.

Head to www.bestconnection.org to register and learn more!

PCOS is now being called PMOS, and I really want you to see this. 💛PCOS has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabo...
06/02/2026

PCOS is now being called PMOS, and I really want you to see this. 💛

PCOS has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). And this name change is just a little amazing.

Finally, this new name recognizes what so many of us already knew: this is a full-body hormonal and metabolic condition, and it has always deserved to be treated that way.

Here's what this means for breastfeeding mamas:

🍼Your milk supply - Low milk supply is more common in people with insulin resistance (which is common with this condition). The new name encourages doctors to address the whole metabolic picture instead of just "cysts." Better metabolic care means better support for your body's ability to make milk.

💛Your long-term health - Mamas with PMOS have a higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes. But, breastfeeding can help significantly reduce that risk (for both you and your baby).

🏥Your ongoing care - The old name kept too many women from seeking support once their family was "complete." PMOS changes this. Your hormonal and metabolic health matters through pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and well beyond.

If you ever have questions about PMOS and how it might be affecting your breastfeeding journey, I'm here. Drop a comment or send me a message. ❤️

05/29/2026

This bottle feeding positions video was a crowd favorite last year, so I'm resharing 🥰

Let me teach you 4 bottle feeding positions to try tonight!

1 - Face-to-face 👶
Your baby faces you and lays comfortably on your lap. You can support them gently with your hand on the back of their neck.

2 - Upright Cradle ⬆️
Cradle your baby in your arms in an upright position. Baby's back is supported while you sit.

3 - Sidelying Football 🏈
Prop a pillow along your side and align your baby with the pillow. Offer the bottle sideways (this mimics a wonderful breastfeeding position).

4 - Chest Hold 🍼
This is very similar to Upright Cradle, but the idea here is to hold the bottle against your chest. This helps babies associate milk with the chest (Especially for a breast-refusing baby)

Finding a good-fit feeding position makes feeding time a lot smoother ✨️🤱

If you ever need help with bottle feeding your baby, schedule a 1:1 session with me 💙

05/27/2026

Ask me anything! 💙

This is your opportunity to ask me anything about lactation (or related topics) 🍼👶

Write any question in the comments, and I'll answer it there or with another video.

Over the coming months, I'll be sharing multiple "ask me anything" posts for specific subjects in lactation land! So stay tuned for that.

I love the and audience we've built here! Being part of it is just a little amazing, and all thanks to you! 💙

Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸As you're out and about today in the heat, remember these 7 baby safety tips 👶💙1 - Keep your baby...
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

As you're out and about today in the heat, remember these 7 baby safety tips 👶💙

1 - Keep your baby uncovered. ⬆A fully covered car seat can reach over 100 degrees in 1 hour.

2 - Use shade. ☂ Make sure to bring an umbrella, stroller shade, or natural shade. Always make sure the shade provided is breathable.

3 - Give car seat breaks. 👶 Even if they're asleep, take them out! It's not worth it if they overheat.

4 - Dress them lightly. ✨ Choose lightweight, breathable clothing like cotton. And have them wear lighter colors that attract less heat.

5 - Keep them hydrated. 🍼 Offer breastmilk or formula often. Water can be offered to older babies (after doctor approval).

6 - Keep cool cloths on hand. 💦 Bring along extra burg cloths to dampen with cool water when they get warm.

7 - If they get overly fussy, red, and sweaty, it's time to go inside! 🏠

Stay safe out in the heat!

- Susan 💙

A surprise package arrived at my door this week and it might be the most delightful thing I've received in a while! 📬"Th...
05/22/2026

A surprise package arrived at my door this week and it might be the most delightful thing I've received in a while! 📬

"The Breast is Yet to Come" is a collection of 100 cartoons celebrating breastfeeding through the eyes of a pediatrician and an artist/teacher. The authors (Jan Bennett & Howard Bennett, M.D) sent it with a wish that a little laughter could find its way to parents in between the tears and exhaustion.

As someone who sits with families in some of those hard moments, I think that's a beautiful thing. 💙

Keep an eye out for more cartoons that I may just have to share in the coming months!

I attended the ICAP Conference in Portland, OR in April 👶When you get a few gals from lactation land together, who knows...
05/20/2026

I attended the ICAP Conference in Portland, OR in April 👶

When you get a few gals from lactation land together, who knows what'll happen. Obviously tongue gummy candies and breast vases were a must!

So much travel over the past few weeks! In this picture, I was waiting to board my plane. Just had to make a few adjustm...
05/18/2026

So much travel over the past few weeks!

In this picture, I was waiting to board my plane. Just had to make a few adjustments to my presentation before take off. ✈️🍼

05/15/2026

I went to Atlanta last week and it was just a little amazing!

I had the privilege of teaching a group of intelligent, talented lactation professionals all about the foundations for bottle skills 🍼

So much sparkling conversation, breakthrough moments, and learning on both sides.

Check out this video for the highlights 💙

I love being able to travel and meet lactation professionals from all over the country. Each of you make lactation land a beautiful place to be.

Thank you for having me!

If human milk came with a nutrition label...It might look something like this! Mature milk is roughly 88% water, 7% carb...
05/13/2026

If human milk came with a nutrition label...

It might look something like this!

Mature milk is roughly 88% water, 7% carbohydrates, 3.5–4.5% fat, and less than 1% protein. But what makes it just a little remarkable is the ability for it to adapt.

The fat content changes the most within a single feed. At the beginning of a feed, the milk tends to be lower in fat, while the milk toward the end of the feed is richer and creamier. Think of it this way:

The beginning of the feed is like starting your meal with a light soup and then ending it with a rich dessert. 🍦🍦

The protein in human milk (lactoferrin, alpha-lactalbumin, secretory IgA) serves immune functions as well. And those carbohydrates include over 200 types of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting immune development.

Your milk nourishes your baby, yes, but it also does so much more 💙

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