Review time! I’m so grateful to those clients who take the time to write and post reviews on Google or Yelp. I have had many new clients who say it was a specific comment on a review that helped them decide that we could be a good fit. If you think I could be a good fit for a friend in need please pass on my info to them. It’s hard to ask for help sometimes. Swipe for Lindsey’s lovely message after enjoying nursing snuggles at Disneyland. #lactationconsultant #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingisnormal #babylife #newmomlife

There are many different ways and reasons to reduce or stop breastfeeding and pumping. . I can vividly remember the last time breastfeeding my youngest child. I remember exactly where I was, looking down at her sweet toddler face that morning. She was happy to cuddle for a few seconds but that was all. She wanted to get on with the day. I must have had a feeling it was the last feed and tears streamed down my face. . Do you have a transition in this journey coming soon? . See the link in my bio for my full Weaning blog, or to connect for support as you wean. . #lactationconsultant #breastfeedingsupport #suddenweaning #breastfeedingisnormal #riversidecalifornia

Hello! I’m Linda Gage, owner and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at InJoyLC based in Riverside, California. I’m originally from New Zealand where I trained as a nurse and worked in the NICU. I have 4 babies of my own, and 3 grandchildren. I have worked with new parents for many years as a nurse, mentor, Mom group leader, CPR instructor, parent educator, and Lactation Consultant. In order to support families in the Inland Empire and beyond I am able to accept self-pay clients but I’m also in network with many health insurance plans through my partnership with a Lactation Consultants of America (LCA). This group practice enables me to provide insurance coverage and a team to handle billing support so I can focus fully on your lactation care. 💕 I look forward to meeting you and supporting your family as you welcome a new baby into your family. It’s my privilege to help you navigate the challenges of information overload, sleep deprivation, feeding and caring for your infant from prenatal preparation all the way through to weaning. See the link in bio for more information on working with me, and to connect for support. #lactationconsultant #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedingsupport #pumpinglife #newmomlife

Join us next Friday 10/23 for our free monthly Mama Circle Cafe. * We'll start with delicious homemade muffins and tea/coffee and playtime with your babies. Then we will have some practical and encouraging conversation about motherhood. You can also do a free weight check. * Led by Mom Encouragers Linda Gage (IBCLC Lactation Consultant)and Reba Marchado (Family Therapist) * See story and highlights for RSVP and our new venue details

Going into the weekend and I hope you have something fun planned! I've had some fun photos sent to me over the years and this one made me laugh recently! That's one way to have fun and take care of your baby at the same time! 😀 🛫 #lactationconsultant #pumpingmom #babylife #breastmilkforthewin

Join with other local Mamas and their babies for some encouragement and relaxed community time at our monthly Friday morning get together We have a new venue as we outgrew our other room, but it is close by. Please RSVP for details and to reserve your spot. See story for link or use the QR code

Teaching about pumps and flange sizing to new mamas today. We talked about which pumps are best for which situations, cautions with milk collectors and how to use them wisely, safe milk storage and cleaning of pumps and bottles. So many questions and different situations for these moms. The answer is not always the same and there is always someone who is having pain and doesn’t realize it shouldn’t be like that. Are you pumping and have pain or not pumping as much as you want to. Reach out for help and accurate information from a well trained lactation consultant. Grateful for extra training and resources like the Flange Fits Guide from @babiesincommon

This year it has been a sweet joy to partner with Reba from Raincross Family Counselling to co-host our Mama Circle Cafe groups on a Friday morning. There are laughter, tears, shared joys and struggles. Some months there’s 4 of us and other times there’s 8, plus the sweet babies of course. There's always a spare pair of hands to hold a baby or entertain them for a few minutes. Some of the most helpful memories I have from my first year of motherhood are times like these. I made some wonderful friends and realized I was not the only one who worried about and celebrated each small milestone along the way. . This month there will be coffee, tea and homemade muffins of course, as well as a cute craft and we’ll be talking about sleep. . Come and join us! . RSVP in stories and highlights for location.

Google, AI Chat Bots, or even your favorite lactation influencer have a few things in common with a real live Lactation Consultant. They also have very important differences. Here’s some things they can’t do for you! . Respond to the nuances of your baby’s latch in real time, how adjustments help or make things worse. There are so many strategies for a baby who is struggling to feed effectively. Being able to see your baby’s response in real time helps me know the next best option to try OR not try. . Respond in real time to your body language as you interact with your baby or support people. It might include a change in your facial expression, holding tension in one shoulder more than the other or taking into account your home environment options. . Ask the questions that could prevent going down the wrong rabbit hole of what you think might be the cause of your concern. . Avoid giving outdated or incorrect information along with good suggestions. There is such a mixture of good, old but good or old and out of date; new helpful or newer awful advice. Knowing which is which requires discernment. . Discern when an influencer’s advice might not work for you and your situation. Even if they are an IBCLC Lactation Consultant. Each mom is unique and each baby is unique - put those together and it doesn’t always mean a particular pumping schedule or strategy will work for you. . Help you grow in confidence when your normal doesn’t fit the suggested norm. It might be yours or the baby's health, your family situation or your preferences. All these influence your goals and capacity. . Give you a hug if you want one. You make the call - if you want a hug I’m always happy to respond. Sometimes it’s the one thing you really need to keep going. A recent research study in Turkey found that while ChatGPT can offer reassurance and confidence for everyday infant care, parents agreed it should serve only as a complementary resource rather than a replacement for individualized professional healthcare, especially in serious or complex situations. (Experiences of Primiparous Mothers Using ChatGPTfor Breastfeeding and Infant Care) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42517659

Back to school happening in your house? Are you doing preschool and school drop offs and pick ups or getting into a new year of homeschooling? I remember those busy seasons! Juggling new routines and a baby can be tricky. Give yourself some grace in the first weeks as you figure out the best way to balance everyone's needs. . Sometimes the baby’s normal feeding and sleeping rhythms get upset. Try and take a moment to consider how you can be proactive so that your milk supply and your baby can keep up and not get overwhelmed. . Changes in routines and feeding or pumping patterns can also make you more vulnerable to inflammation or congestion in your breasts. This might result in lumps (from narrowed ducts and inflammation) or engorgement and possible mastitis. Try to minimize drastic changes as much as you can. Think ahead for days when an upset routine might need an extra nursing or pumping session . Don’t forget to eat and hydrate! That’s the first thing that gets forgotten when I get busy. . What can you get ready the night before? . What can your children do to get themselves ready? Even toddlers and preschoolers can help or learn to do something for themselves. Make up a silly song or change words to a familiar song tomake it fun. . Preparing easy meals such as using the slow cooker or picking up a cooked chicken and salad are good healthy options for busy days. . Hang in there!

Not sure what you need? Let’s talk!

InJoyLC ~ Linda Gage, IBCLC

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