Cathy Walker, IBCLC

11/08/2024

Love this reminder about normal sleep patterns. Knowing this can allow us to go with the flow!

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A few years ago a study was done to explore the question of does what you feed your baby affect their sleep. Long story short, they found it didn’t.

Babies continue to wake up throughout the first year for many different reasons, just like adults. But what you feed them doesn’t affect it.

There was no difference in how often babies age 6 - 12 months woke up depending on whether they were breast or formula fed or how much solid food they had in the day. Breastfed babies did feed more at night but that’s most likely because breastfeeding is an easy way to get babies back to sleep. The babies who weren’t breastfeeding still woke up.

Adults wake during the night for all sorts of reasons, none of them to do with food (although some adults will still go get a snack). Babies are the same, but need more help getting back to sleep again.

Infant Sleep and Night Feeding Patterns During Later Infancy: Association With Breastfeeding Frequency, Daytime Complementary Food Intake, and Infant Weight
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/bfm.2014.0153

09/08/2024

This class is hosted by myself, Cathy Walker, MA, RN, IBCLC & Carrie Dean, IBCLC, CST. Twice the knowledge & complementing perspectives. We cover what to expect in the first month after birth. Plenty of time for Q & A. And we bust a lot of myths! Be prepared for all those feedings with your beautiful baby!

This class is online, brought to you in the comfort of your own space. Partners welcome & encouraged.

Next class is on September 18th at 6:30pm

Register for our next class at the linktree above.

01/08/2024

Happy IBCLC Day! I’m so privileged to collaborate with talented & compassionate IBCLCs. I’m honored to support amazing families on their feeding journey. My passion for this calling only gets stronger every year!

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01/08/2024

Our next prenatal breastfeeding class is happening on September 18th at 6:30 pm. This will be an online class. You can register online on my linktree above.

27/07/2024

I’m thrilled to introduce my new business name! Easy to remember and it feels right. I pour myself into supporting families on their feeding journeys.
I hope this makes it easier to find me!!

21/07/2024

Join us this Wednesday for our next Mothers support group!


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Join us for our weekly support group! Meet other parents and get questions answered. This group is for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, formula feeding, introducing solids and more! Scale available for weight checks. Drop in group!

Questions? Text me at 914-218-6231

15/07/2024

I love this post from ! This topic comes up in many of my consults. Going with the flow and your baby’s hunger cues will actually give you more rest and less stress.

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Many people think that babies feed on a regular schedule, but in reality, feeding patterns are more sporadic, especially in the first 3-4 weeks of life. It’s perfectly normal for feedings to vary between every 1-4 hours. 🌟

During growth spurts, babies may also cluster feed, meaning they may feed even more often. This is completely natural and helps boost your milk supply to meet their growing needs. 🌱

07/07/2024

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Gaea Breastfeeding Center is holding our next Prenatal Breastfeeding Class in person at our Harrison location.
Cathy Walker, MA RN IBCLC and Carrie Dean, IBCLC CST lead this comprehensive class. Get prepared for all those feedings once your baby arrives! Plenty of time for Q & A. Partners welcome.

Register at the link in my bio.

15/06/2024

Gaea Breastfeeding Center is holding our next Prenatal Breastfeeding Class in person at our Harrison location.
Cathy Walker, MA RN IBCLC and Carrie Dean, IBCLC CST lead this comprehensive class. Get prepared for all those feedings once your baby arrives! Plenty of time for Q & A. Partners welcome.

Register at the link in my bio.

06/06/2024

My heart is breaking to see that Aetna is decreasing lactation coverage for families. Please sign the petition and help fight the changes!

If we do not fight these changes they will happen. We have nothing to lose by objecting and everything to gain if we are able to make a difference. Please sign the petition! 

05/06/2024

Still time to get in on the action! Tell everyone you know who might be interested. I’ll see you there!

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PUMPING PEOPLE NEEDED for FREE FL**GE FITTING during a training workshop for lactation consultants near Hartford, CT. If you are a pumping person and would like a free fl**ge fitting and are available the afternoon of Monday, June 10, please email [email protected] for more details. You’ll receive the fl**ges that work best for you and a $25 for your time. Even if you’ve already had a fl**ge fitting, you are welcome to email to volunteer—why not do it again, see if anything has changed or confirm you are using the best size(s) for you? :) ⁠
THANK you so much for considering volunteering OR sharing this with someone who lives within an hour or so of Hartford, CT. ⁠

**gefitting

04/06/2024

I love pride month! Celebrating love is amazing. I honor & cherish this community that I’m a part of and that my family belongs to. And even if we did not identify in this community I would love & cherish it as well. We all deserve happiness, acceptance and equal rights. 💜💜💜💜💜

23/05/2024

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👏👏👏

23/05/2024

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Carrie Dean, IBCLC, CST and Cathy Walker, MA, RN, IBCLC team up to deliver the most comprehensive prenatal breastfeeding class! We cover the first 3 weeks of life. We bust myths and answer all your questions. Having two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants host allows us to bring more experience to you.

You’ll be able to focus on the hands on portion of latching after birth if you’ve covered many of the other topics before delivery. But we also cover positioning and how to latch! We value evidence based information. We are nonjudgmental and inclusive.

Don’t forget to prepare for nursing as there will be many feedings after birth for a long time.

This is an in person class. Register at the linktree in my bio above.

19/05/2024

Hey everyone! If you’ve seen a benefit from a fl**ge fitting with me, pass this information on to a friend or acquaintance! This training is where I learned this technique. I feel so grateful to be able to improve pumping for my clients. Thanks Jeanette! I will also be at the conference because I love to brush up on my skills and see my peeps in person!

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PUMPING PEOPLE NEEDED for FREE FL**GE FITTING during a training workshop for lactation consultants near Hartford, CT. If you are a pumping person and would like a free fl**ge fitting and are available the afternoon of Monday, June 10, please email [email protected] for more details. You’ll receive the fl**ges that work best for you and a $25 for your time. Even if you’ve already had a fl**ge fitting, you are welcome to email to volunteer—why not do it again, see if anything has changed or confirm you are using the best size(s) for you? :) ⁠
THANK you so much for considering volunteering OR sharing this with someone who lives within an hour or so of Hartford, CT. ⁠
**gefitting

08/05/2024

I love this image and explanation from Hannah Croft!

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The laid back position can be a hugely helpful feeding position, and is my go-to when I’m supporting families with breastfeeding. It can be a lot more instinctive, and comes with less ‘rules’ than other positions. Laid back feeding in more ways than just position!

Basically, lean back, and then lean back some more! Fit baby to your body, and let gravity help you out by holding your baby there. This position will stimulate your baby’s natural feeding reflexes and help them navigate to your breast.

Mothers are often worried about how they can use the position when out and about, so I thought this image might be really useful.

You can see here how Patrícia has shuffled her bottom forward in the chair and leaned back, meaning her torso is sloped and open, leaving lots of room for 8-week old Sebastian’s body to fit to hers, allowing his body to relax into hers. (No need for a feeding pillow!) Her shoulders are dropped and she’s comfy.

There’s a gap between the base of Patricia’s back and where the backrest of the chair meets the seat. You could shove a coat into this space, or a small changing bag if you’d like the support.

Sebastian’s legs have straddled Patricia’s opposite leg to the breast she’s feeding from, so he has lots of stability and his chin is buried deep into his breast with his nose lifted clear.

Patricia’s arms are relaxed and yet supporting Sebastian’s head to maintain the tilt he need for that deep latch, gravity is helping with lots of the support too!

Success!

Have you tried this position? Let me know if you give it a go.

Thanks to Patricia for letting me use this image. x

laidbackbreastfeeding

14/04/2024

I meet a lot of new parents who have already ordered their insurance covered breast pump. Often they’ve chosen a wearable or portable pump. This can work for many people especially if they don’t need to pump in the early weeks after birth.

However there are many reasons you might need to pump early on. If you do, you want a strong motor to initiate a robust milk supply. Having a workhouse traditional pump is your best bet. You can always think about a wearable pump later in your journey after your supply is established. Wearable and portable pumps usually remove less milk than traditional pumps. Therefore they won’t help you make as much milk as the traditional choice. Your breast will make milk based on what is removed either by nursing or effective pumping.

Usually if your baby is nursing efficiently, holding off on pumping for 3-4 weeks will build the best milk supply & is recommended

Then why might you pump early on?

💦Baby is premature And is not nursing effectively

💦Baby was born less than 38 weeks And is sleepy at breast And not nursing effectively

💦Your baby is having trouble latching

💦You are not able to nurse directly for any reason

💦Your baby requires supplementation with extra milk from bottles/cups etc

💦Illness is preventing effective direct nursing at the breast

What pump did you use?

13/04/2024

In feel so lucky to be a part of the infant feeding journey. I’m also blessed to work in a field with such passionate parents. I’m grateful to read this testimonial. I feel so happy to know I’ve helped in some way. Parents are the real heroes!!

10/04/2024

Carrie Dean, IBCLC, CST and Cathy Walker, MA, RN, IBCLC team up to deliver the most comprehensive prenatal breastfeeding class! We cover the first 3 weeks of life. We bust myths and answer all your questions. Having two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants host allows us to bring more experience to you.

You’ll be able to focus on the hands on portion of latching after birth if you’ve covered many of the other topics before delivery. But we also cover positioning and how to latch! We value evidence based information. We are nonjudgmental and inclusive.

Don’t forget to prepare for nursing as there will be many feedings after birth for a long time.

This is an in person class. Register at the linktree in my bio above.

01/04/2024

Gaea Breastfeeding Center is thrilled to return to teaching in person! Our new classes & group location in Harrison is convenient to the Hutch!

Register at the link in my bio

Carrie Dean IBCLC CST and Cathy Walker, MA RN IBCLC will cover the first 3 weeks after birth. We will bust myths and answer all your questions. Prepare for your feeding journey. We are an inclusive and non judgmental practice.

24/03/2024

There’s still time to register for our Prenatal Breastfeeding class. Don’t miss it! Ask all your questions learn the best ways to be supported on your feeding journey. Connect with Cathy & Carrie at Gaea!

Click the link on my bio to sign up. This is an in person class. Partners welcome. Handicap accessible location conveniently located right off the Hutchinson parkway in Harrison.

17/03/2024

So cute!

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Anguloa uniflora, commonly known as the swaddled babies orchid, is a species of orchid and is the type species of its genus.
A large sized, robust, cool to cold growing terrestrial species found at elevations of 1400 to 2500 meters from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru in wet montane forests in deep shade and in deep leaf mold, with clustered, generally dark green with a satiny surface, longitudinally grooved pseudobulbs enveloped basally by 3 to 5, smaller, leaflike sheaths and carrying 2, apical, plicate, elliptical, leaves that blooms after the deciduous leaves fall in summer until early fall on an erect, 6 to 10” [15 to 25 cm] long, often 2, inflorescence with 5 to 7 graduated, inflated, large bracts with ovate, acuminate, subinflated floral bracts all arising basally as the new growths appear in the late winter and has a solitary, tulip-like, fleshy, fragrant, long lasting flower held at mid-leaf height.
The plant is generally leafless come blooming time so the new growth has the only leaves on the plant.

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Tag someone

15/03/2024

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There is still time to register forour next In-Person Prenatal Breastfeeding Class! We are so excited to be in our second location to bring classes and groups in person.
Carrie Dean and Cathy Walker will cover what you need to know to get a great start breastfeeding. We will bust myths and answer all your questions. Partners are welcome & encouraged!

When: April 3rd, 6:30pm
Where: 450 Mamaroneck Ave, Suite 414, Harrison, NY

Register at the link in my Bio!
This class is taught by two experienced IBCLCs; Cathy Walker, MA RN IBCLC and Carrie Dean, IBCLC LMT-CST

01/03/2024

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⭐️ Position the baby at your breast according to your comfort. The baby should be “tummy to tummy”. If you can see the baby’s belly button, then they are not smushed close enough to your body. Make sure the baby’s hands are around the breast vs pushed to one side. Start with the baby under the breast. Think of bringing the baby up to your breast when you are ready to latch.

⭐️REMEMBER: you are stationary, and the baby needs to come to you during the latch. Avoid leaning forward and placing the breast in their mouth. If you drag your breast/ni**le down the baby’s mouth it will change the height of the latch causing a shallow/symmetric latch.

⭐️Make sure nothing is behind the baby’s head blocking it from tipping back to open wide. This includes a finger, hand, blanket, pillow etc. Picture how you drink from a bottle or cup etc, you slightly tilt your head back every time. It is physically impossible to achieve a wide open gape without neck extension. If you want to cradle the baby to the breast, I would consider trying the laid back position. You should position & latch in whatever way is the most comfortable for you.

⭐️Focus on the baby’s chin landing the latch. Touch your baby’s chin to the underside of your breast. This cues the gape reflex (your baby should open wide). ALWAYS WAIT for the wide gape. This is important in preventing latch pain. As the baby opens wide, swiftly move the baby to the breast by pushing on their shoulder blade & upper back so their chin meets the breast first and they come up and over the ni**le.

⭐️Check the latch: If you are able to, try to pull down on their chin after they are latched to further widen the gape and deepen the latch. This will ensure the lower lip is flared outward (especially if you cannot see the bottom of their mouth). Pain is subjective and sometimes it is hard to gauge how breastfeeding is supposed to feel. In reality it should not be painful after the baby starts actively suckling. Painful/shallow latching means your baby is not effectively latching/removing your milk.

29/02/2024

So excited to host an in person Support Group! My joint venture with Carrie Dean, Gaea Breastfeeding Center, is launching our first group this Wednesday!! 🎉🤱🏽

I wrote a blog in honor of the occasion. I really wish I had a support group like this back when I had my kiddoes.

Come and Find your Tribe.
Visit our website to read my blog.
https://www.gaeabreastfeedingcenter.com/gaea-blog/new-mothers-support-groups

17/02/2024

No we don’t just latch babies!!! There is soo much more that we are trained to do. I support parents in breastfeeding, bottlefeeding, pumping, formula feeding, oral function, milk supply concerns and a lot more! We can’t get it all done in one visit! Plan for a follow up to address remaining items and evaluate how the care plan is working for you! This is your journey & you are in charge.

14/02/2024

Join Carrie and me for our next In-Person Prenatal Breastfeeding Class! We are so excited to be in our second location to bring classes and groups in person.

We will cover what you need to know to get a great start breastfeeding. We will bust myths and answer all your questions. Partners are welcome & encouraged!

When: April 3rd, 6pm
Where: 450 Mamaroneck Ave, Suite 414, Harrison, NY

Register at the link in my Bio!
This class is taught by two experienced IBCLCs; Cathy Walker, MA RN IBCLC and Carrie Dean, IBCLC LMT-CST