Every Wednesday for the last couple of years the IBCLCs of The MILC Group have opened their doors from 10am to Noon for drop in Weight Checks and Lactation Chats. We decided we should write a short blog post letting people know what to expect during Weight Check Wednesday (WCW).

• Weight Check Wednesday is a "drop in" event meaning we do not require appointments.
• Since WCW is a "drop-in" event you will not have privacy while chatting with us.
• Some days we will see one breastfeeding family and others we may see five. We do our very best to give individual attention and to move people in and out in an organized manner.
• We ask that families fill in a very short form for us to be able to keep a track of who attends and also to track the baby's weight gains each week.
• Babies will be weighed before feeding and after feeding in order to get an idea of intake during that feeding. 
• The Lactation Consultants of The MILC Group will sit and observe the baby nursing in order to assess external latch and to listen for any indicators that there may be a latch issue. 
• The IBCLCs will answer any basic breastfeeding questions that families have during the Weight Check.
• Recommendations will be given if a full lactation consult seems to be needed.
• The baby's weight will be recorded for future reference and will be written down for you to take with you. 

Weight Check Wednesday is an excellent way to get accurate information from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for a minimal fee and in a short amount of time! It does not substitute for a consult.

The fee for Weight Check Wednesdays with The MILC Group is just $20. Come in and see us this Wednesday!

The MILC Group offices are located inside of Go Baby Go, 6104 Broadway, #C-4, San Antonio, TX 78209. Contact us online at www.TheMILCGroup.com or by phone at 210-960-MILC/210-960-6452.

When The MILC Group first started out we ran a series that we called "JJs Nip Tips." They were named for an adorable chunky baby who we spent a lot of time with. JJ is now a rambunctious preschooler and we wanted to take a moment to pull together a list of our favorite Nip Tips and post an adorable updated pic of our chunky mascot. 

1. Breastfeeding isn't just about food. It is about love and closeness and more!
2. If you have breastfeeding questions, don't wait to ask for help. Have a list of local resources on hand before you deliver your baby.
3. A good latch is a good thing. Wide open relaxed mouth...lips flanged out...chin deeper into the breast than the nose. These are a few quick nip tips.
4. Don't forget that the best way to build your milk supply is to breastfeed your baby frequently. 
5. Breastmilk has a mild laxative effect that helps to prevent constipation. 
6. A supportive bra is one of the most important breastfeeding tools you can buy. Invest in a good one!
7. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes. Yours are perfect for your baby.
8. Remember, when baby is being fussy they are not trying to manipulate they are trying to communicate.
9. Finding a group of breastfeeding friends can be great for you and baby.
10. Make sure to take some time for yourself. A few quiet moments with a lovely cup of something warm can help to relax and rejuvenate you.
11. Nursing in a carrier can make things easier for babies on the go.​

If you need breastfeeding support you can contact The MILC Group here:
www.TheMILCGroup.com
210-960-MILC/210-960-6452

​

Getting through the week can sometimes be so challenging. For new parents the week can seem to drag on forever. Having something to look forward to can really keep you going. I can't remember how we decided to host our Breastfeeding Support Group on Friday afternoons but it was a great idea!

What do we talk about during our Friday Support Group? I wanted to share a sample of last week's topics...

One of our Mamas asked how everyone enjoyed Mother's Day. No one seemed to do anything overly special but it was a nice way to start our chat.

Another Mama asked about feeding older breastmilk to her baby. This Mama will be enjoying a special event with some friends in the fall and was wondering if milk she pumps now will still be good to leave. Breastmilk  is always good even though the composition changes as baby's grow. We suggested leaving a mixture of fresh and frozen milk for baby.

We discussed spit up and babies who are happy excessive spit-uppers. We talked about the lovely odor after you have been spit up on and how spit up down your bra gives off a nice cheesy smell by days end.

One of the babies had a tongue and lip tie revision that week so we asked how he is doing and discussed the procedure and changes in latch. 

Birth control came up which led to discussing the lack of sex after babies and to a description of lactational amenorrhea.

Many of our parents will weigh their babies on our scale when they are at the Support Group. It helps them to keep a track of their baby's growth and development. We love providing this service at no charge.

Other random topics....super random :)

Natural cleaning products
The meaning of "Seventh Generation"
Menstrual cups
Cloth menstrual pads
Family cloth (look that one up yourself)
Healthy foods and your babies

This particular Friday we had a nice group of parents with babies in tow and a Grandmother was in attendance too! Our Group is casual and lively. The parents look forward to having a safe space to share and discuss their questions and concerns. Ginger and I look forward to seeing these parents and their babies too. Seeing the babies grow and change is so lovely. 

If you have been on the fence about whether or not to attend a MILC Breastfeeding Support Group maybe this will make you feel more comfortable. We hope to see you soon!

Find our Schedule of Events here. 

Families in the San Antonio area have a good number of choices for their breastfeeding support needs. We wanted to compile a list of reasons that you should choose The MILC Group. 
​

1. Ginger and Tina have a combined 25 plus years of experience working with breastfeeding families! That's a lot of experience.
2. Ginger and Tina both started their careers as La Leche League Leaders. Why does this matter? La Leche League is the largest non-profit breastfeeding organization in the world. As La Leche League Leaders both Ginger and Tina have had the privilege of working with families from birth into the toddler years which creates a wide range of knowledge. They also show an obvious passion for this work since they continue to volunteer their time to La Leche League instead of only doing paid lactation work. 
3. Giving to their community is of the utmost important to The MILC Group. Both Ginger and Tina still are active with La Leche League leading monthly meetings and attend many outreach events in our area to give as much to our community as possible. 
4. Education is the foundation of what Ginger and Tina do. They both attend in person and online conferences regularly to keep their skills up-to-date. 
5. Both of the MILC ladies have sought out additional hands-on training in the evaluation of tongue and lip ties as well as other structural issues. Other IBCLCs may have taken online trainings or sat through talks, but hands-on training is so valuable to this profession. 
6. Integrity is of the utmost importance to both Ginger and Tina. We are who we say we are. 
7. Relationships with other care providers is also so important and so we work to develop these relationships to benefit our clients. 
8. Developing relationships with our clients matters to us. We strive to continue to support the families that see us for as long as they need. The MILC Group offers weekly Support Groups and Weight Check opportunities to help families keep on track with their breastfeeding goals without breaking the bank. 
9. Last but not least....we are awesome! We work daily to be the best International Board Certified Lactation Consultants that we can be :) 
10. I feel like I should make one more to create an even number.....how about the fact that we are amazing parents and our kids love us. That's pretty darned important!