Thrive Lactation Blog Posts
Flange Size Matters: How to Measure and Fix Pump Pain
Discover how to find your correct flange size, stop pumping pain, and protect your milk supply with our quick fit guide.
Combo Feeding: Balancing Breast and Bottle Without Hurting Supply
Learn how to combine breast and bottle feeding without hurting milk supply, plus tips for paced bottle feeding success.
Breastfeeding & Medications: What’s Safe, What’s Not, and How to Check
Find out which medications are safe while breastfeeding and how to check drug safety for you and your baby.
Signs Baby Is Getting Enough Milk (Without a Scale)
Learn how to know your baby is getting enough breast milk—diaper counts, hunger cues, and comfort signs every parent can track.
Colostrum to Mature Milk: Your Milk Supply Timeline, Day by Day
Your milk supply doesn’t appear overnight—it develops in three distinct stages: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk. Understanding this natural process can calm new-parent worries and help you recognize what’s normal.
Pumping at Work: Your Rights, Setup, and Sample Schedule
Returning to work while breastfeeding can feel overwhelming—but with preparation, it’s completely doable. From understanding your rights to setting up your pump station, this guide walks you through everything you need to keep your milk supply strong and your baby fed, even during the workday.
Exclusive Breastfeeding: What the AAP & WHO Actually Recommend (and Why)
Breastfeeding recommendations can feel confusing. Some say six months; others say longer. But what do the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) actually recommend—and why?
The New Mastitis Playbook: What Changed in 2022 and What You Should Do
Breastfeeding recommendations can feel confusing. Some say six months; others say longer. But what do the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) actually recommend—and why?
Breastfeeding & Supplementation: When Is It Necessary? A Guide for New Moms
As a new mom, you may have heard conflicting advice about supplementing with formula. Some say to avoid it at all costs, while others suggest it freely. So, when is supplementation truly necessary? The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) provides clear guidelines on when and how to introduce formula while maintaining a successful breastfeeding journey.
Let’s break it down.
What to Pack for the Hospital: A Lactation Consultant’s Guide for a Breastfeeding-Friendly Birth
As you prepare to welcome your baby, packing your hospital bag is an exciting milestone! While most hospital checklists cover the basics—like clothes, toiletries, and baby essentials—many don’t emphasize what’s helpful for breastfeeding success. As a lactation consultant, I want to share a breastfeeding-focused hospital bag checklist to ensure you’re well-prepared for those precious first moments with your newborn.
Breastfeeding Positions & Latch: A Step-by-Step Guide with Fixes for Pain
Achieving a comfortable, effective latch is one of the most important steps in successful breastfeeding. When your baby is well-positioned and latched deeply, you’ll see better milk transfer and reduce the risk of nipple pain or damage. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to position your baby, how to latch step-by-step, what to do when it hurts, and when to seek extra support.