Providing evidence-based breastfeeding support and passionately supporting informed choices in maternity care
I'm Jessica, you can call me Jess for short,
and I am a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and a mother of a
incredible 6 years old boy. I’m currently living in Burnaby - British Columbia. I am
passionate about helping moms and babies achieve their breastfeeding goals, and focused on
each client's individual needs and priorities in order to provide personalized care in a
meaningful manner. My goal is support families, both emotionally and physically, helping
them connect with and feel confident in their first days of breastfeeding and parenthood. As
an IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) I offer full breastfeeding assessment and I am qualified and
certified to assist with a variety of breastfeeding complications: from prenatal care, and
breastfeeding to weaning.
In-home visits options available for families living in Metro Vancouver, North & West
Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Pitt
Meadows, Surrey, Langley, Delta, Maple Ridge and Abbotsford. Virtual options available
worldwide. I'm Brazilian and I speak two languages: English and Portuguese.
I also provide support for LGBTQ+ families, adopting families, Co-lactation, chestfeeding,
induced lactation.
Pregnancy
- Help you preventing common breastfeeding related challenges;
- Help you to become more confident and decisive to make well informed decision when
facing breastfeeding challenges;
- Building breastfeeding confidence;
- Assess maternal history, helping you identifying risk-factor for breastfeeding;
- Teach you how to identify biological nursing reflexes in newborn;
- Assistance with colostrum expression (if needed);
- Skin to Skin and how to bring your baby to the breast;
- Educate you about what to expect in the first few days of breastfeeding;
- Guidance on milk production, assessing your supply, and monitoring your baby's intake;
- Breastfeeding positions and which ones feel comfortable for you and are efficient;
- Breastfeeding in the first week: patterns and duration of feedings;
- Identifying your baby’s cues for nursing.
Postpartum
- Latch and positioning;
- Poor infant weight gain;
- Breast reduction or augmentation surgery;
- Low milk supply / Oversupply;
- Breast Pump: When to start, frequency, and how do you store your milk;
- Supplemental nursing: droppers, cup feeding, bottle feeding, finger feeding, feeding
tube, spoon, etc;
- Forceful let-down reflex;
- Exclusive pumping;
- Oral Assessment (tongue or lip tie);
- Nipple pain or nipple damage (Pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding);
- Milk production and how to assess your supply and your baby’s intake;
- Breastfeeding positions and which ones feel comfortable for you and are efficient;
- The use of nipple shields or weaning off of nipple shields;
- Delayed feeding due to NICU stay;
- Preventing or relieving engorgement and blocked ducts.
What to expect from my postpartum consultation
As a experienced lactation consultant, I offer comprehensive support for new mothers and their babies. The session begins with a thorough review of both mother and baby's medical history, including birth details and feeding experiences. I'll observe the nursing session, focusing on the baby's latch, sucking, swallowing, and breathing patterns. I provide personalized guidance on recognizing feeding cues and understanding what constitutes a good feeding session, offering practical tips on positioning and techniques to enhance comfort during breastfeeding. With the mother's consent, I'll assess breasts, nipples, and milk production, always respecting boundaries and comfort levels. If nipple pain is an issue, various strategies are explored to improve comfort. Together, the mother and I develop tailored strategies to improve feeding, which may include adjusting positioning, enhancing attachment, boosting milk supply, or incorporating suck training exercises. I assess the baby's tongue function and discusses findings, including potential tongue-tie concerns and treatment options. We will collaborate on creating a feeding plan that addresses ongoing challenges and aligns with breastfeeding goals. I'll provide assistance for any feeding-related tools, including bottles, feeding tubes, syringes, nipple shields, cups, or spoons, as well as guidance on pumping techniques and proper milk storage is also available. To prepare for the consultation, mothers are advised to avoid formula feeding for one hour before the appointment to allow for accurate assessment of feeding reflexes. Breastfeeding, however, is permitted at any time prior to the meeting. My work is rooted in a non-judgmental, compassionate approach, aiming to empower mothers and families during this transformative time. I'm committed to creating a safe space where mothers feel heard and supported throughout their breastfeeding journey. My comprehensive consultation covers various aspects of breastfeeding, addressing individual concerns and providing personalized solutions to ensure a positive and successful breastfeeding experience for both mother and baby.
Possible reasons to have an IBCLC
- The baby sucks on the breast only a few times and sleeps;
- You received a recommendation to breastfeed for 10-15 min each side of the breast then
offer the bottle to the baby;
- The baby becomes frustrated after a short time on the breast;
- The baby breastfeeds with no rhythm and does not pause to swallow;
- Baby did not regain birth weight within the expected time;
- Baby is not gaining weight - or is gaining slowly;
- You received a top-up (formula or expressed milk) indication;
- Baby doesn't open the mouth to latch;
- Nipples are painful, sore or blistered;
- Low milk production;
- Baby is refusing to breastfeed;
- Tongue-tie suspicious;
- Mother wants to express and store milk;
- The baby spends hours and hours on the breast and never seems to be "done";
- Questions about the quality of the feed/milk and the expected amount of milk.
Other services provided
Going Back to Work
- Help you create a pumping schedule that fits your work hours, setting, and feeding
goals;
- Teach you how to use a breast pump, store milk, and troubleshoot pumping issues;
- Establishing a regular pumping schedule can help you maintain milk production and avoid discomfort;
- Adjusting to a new routine: You can expect an adjustment period when you return to
work and I can help you create a plan for that.
Weaning
- I provide evidence-based guidance on gradual weaning, helping with weaning by
providing individualized support and strategies;
- I'll find a weaning plan with an approach that works for you and your baby ensuring a
smooth transition for both;
- I offer strategies to improve the weaning experience gradually decreasing the number
of breastfeeds or milk expression for day feedings and night feedings.
Contact
Still wondering? Whatsapp me now to book a FREE
10 minute consultation.
My goal is to create a safe space where you feel heard and supported every step of the way.
In-home visits options available for families living in Metro Vancouver, North & West Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Surrey, Langley, Delta, Maple Ridge and Abbotsford.