Shelby Lactation

08/12/2026

Did you know I do IVs? Add it to your lactation consult or book a drip on its own!

Updated menu! ⭐️

New IV drips and injectables are now available at All Seasons Acupuncture & Wellness in .

And for a small travel fee, I can bring the treatment to you - great for postpartum moms and those not feeling well enough to leave the house!

07/13/2026

“Do I need to pump and dump after general anesthesia?”

I received a call today from a concerned mom who was told she needed to discard her milk for 24 hours following a dental procedure. This is a common recommendation when doctors are simply not up to date on evidence-based guidelines for breastfeeding medicine.

So do you need to dump your milk? The answer is almost always no! It is safe to continue breastfeeding or pumping once you are alert. If you feel drowsy, discard your milk until you feel comfortable enough to hold your baby.

Commonly used anesthetics including fentanyl and versed have short half lives, so the medication leaves the body rapidly. Ask your surgeon for a list of the medications they plan on using so you can call a board certified lactation consultant. Alternatively you can also call the Infant Risk Center helpline directly at 806-352-2519. This is a great option if you are also taking other medications that may cause drowsiness.

“Mothers of normal term or older infants can resume pumping or direct breast feeding without interruption following anesthesia as soon as they are awake and alert. This is consistent with recent guidelines by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.”

https://infantrisk.com/content/breastfeeding-surgery-and-anesthesia

Despite this recommendation, some moms may still feel nervous about giving their baby milk after receiving anesthesia. In these cases, I offer them the option to dilute their milk after the procedure with previously pumped milk for the remainder of the day. While this is not necessary, it can help alleviate any stress she may be feeling.

07/13/2026

Dr Ghaheri explains why bodywork is almost always my first intervention when there are feeding issues 🙏

07/13/2026

Great info here!

🍼 HOW MUCH MILK DOES A BABY ACTUALLY NEED?

One of the most common questions parents ask is, “How many ounces should my baby be drinking?”

The answer is a little different than most people expect.

Babies are not born needing large volumes of milk. Their intake gradually increases over the first couple of weeks as their stomach capacity grows, milk production increases, and feeding skills mature.

In the early days, colostrum is produced in small amounts because small amounts are exactly what newborns need.

📌 Easy Reference Guide

• Day 1: 2-10 mL per feeding (about ½-2 teaspoons)
• Day 2: 5-15 mL per feeding
• Day 3: 15-30 mL per feeding (½-1 ounce)
• Day 4: 30-60 mL per feeding (1-2 ounces)
• Day 5-7: 45-75 mL per feeding (1½-2½ ounces)
• Week 2: Most babies are taking approximately 2-3 ounces per feeding

After the first couple of weeks, a helpful estimate is:

✨ 2.5 ounces per pound of body weight per 24 hours ✨

For example:

• 6 lb baby = about 15 oz/day
• 8 lb baby = about 20 oz/day
• 10 lb baby = about 25 oz/day
• 12 lb baby = about 30 oz/day

Once babies reach approximately 12 pounds, something interesting happens.

Unlike formula-fed babies, breastfed babies do not continue increasing milk intake month after month. Human milk changes in composition over time, becoming more calorie-dense and developmentally appropriate for the growing baby.

As a result, most exclusively breastfed babies will continue taking approximately:

🥛 25-30 ounces in 24 hours

from about 1 month of age until around their first birthday.

Read that again.

A 2-month-old and an 8-month-old often consume very similar total milk volumes over 24 hours.

This is one reason why parents who pump are often surprised when daycare asks for larger and larger bottles. Bigger babies do not necessarily need dramatically more breast milk.

Instead of increasing total daily intake, babies usually become more efficient feeders, may consume larger volumes per feeding, and eventually begin getting calories from complementary foods.

Around 6 months, solid foods are introduced, but breast milk remains the primary source of nutrition. As solids gradually increase throughout the second half of the first year, milk intake slowly begins to decrease.

A typical pattern looks like this:

• Birth to 6 months: Milk is essentially 100% of nutrition
• 6-9 months: Solids are for learning and exploration, with milk still doing most of the nutritional heavy lifting
• 9-12 months: Solids begin contributing more calories, and milk intake may slowly decrease
• After 12 months: Milk intake often continues to decline as table foods become the primary source of nutrition

Of course, babies are not robots. Some days they snack. Some days they binge. Growth spurts, illness, teething, developmental leaps, and activity levels can all affect intake.

The most important things to watch are growth, diaper output, developmental progress, and overall feeding satisfaction rather than focusing on a single bottle volume.

Your baby doesn’t read feeding charts. They simply eat the amount their body needs ❤️

05/14/2026

04/08/2026

In need of dairy-free breastmilk in Spartanburg 🙏

02/24/2026

$40 Fl**ge Fittings and 20% off all IVs tonight at in uptown Shelby! Call or text to schedule 908-309-0091.

02/21/2026

We had a nice time this morning sipping coffee and tea while discussing pumping, fl**ge fitting, and all sorts of other lactation-related business! We got our hands on different fl**ge shapes and compared the texture of hard plastic vs soft silicone. I loved networking and sharing with these beautiful ladies! **gefitting

02/13/2026

Did you know!! IV bags are now available as an ADD-ON to your lactation or fl**ge fitting appointment!

02/10/2026

Participants using “standard” size fl**ges had significantly less milk output and comfort than those who were properly fitted.

Fl**ge fitting is a process that should be individualized to the patient and may require a trial of one or more sizes during a pumping session. Smaller sizes determined using this individualized process and starting with ni**le tip measurement may be used without compromising milk output or comfort.