Nursing Mamas

Hi! I'm Erin Harris, a Certified Lactation Educator. I nursed my 2 kids for 4 1/2 years total and cr Nursing is natural, but not always easy.

I struggled with latching with my daughter, but we overcame it and went on to nurse 4 1/2 years, which included breastfeeding while pregnant, and tandem nursing my with my son. He latched well, he decided he was done nursing at 4 months, so while my daughter continued to breastfeed, I transitioned to pumping 4 times a day for him while supplementing with formula for the rest of his needs. No baby is the same, and neither are breastfeeding experiences. When my breastfeeding and pumping journey came to an end, I felt like it would be a waste to not use my experience and knowledge to help other moms, so became a Certified Lactation Educator to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. Not sure what your goals are? Message me and I can help you figure that out too!

01/31/2025

Toddlers won’t always behave the way you want or expect them to. From time to time, they may be disruptive or aggressive. Or their behavior may not be appropriate for the situation.

The goal of discipline is to guide and teach, not to punish. The foundation of discipline is a warm and trusting relationship.

Discipline should be fair and consistent. If you respond differently in similar situations or to similar behaviors, children will be confused. They won’t know what to expect.

Physical punishment—spanking, slapping, hitting, or shaming—can hurt children both physically and emotionally, and should never be used. There are much more effective ways to discipline children.

Using positive discipline techniques not only helps to guide children, but also strengthens the connection you have with them.

Comment below with the behavior you struggle with the most!

01/29/2025

Weaning a child is a decision to be made with care. It is important to consider both your and your child's needs when making this decision.❤️

If you are weaning because it will benefit you and your child to do so, then reach out to ensure that the transition from breast milk to formula is as smooth as possible for both of you if they are under 1 year. You also need to make sure that you have all the supplies needed for feeding and storing formula, such as bottles and ni***es.

If you are over a year weaning because you feel societal pressures to be done, then it may be time for some self-reflection. Ask yourself:
Are there other ways that you can bond with your child aside from breastfeeding?
How can this new relationship help them thrive?

Don't let the social pressures get to you—it's your body and your child. You don't have to wean if you don't want to. 🤗

01/27/2025

After a year of breastfeeding, you may think you have this thing down...

Then your baby becomes a toddler.

Toddler nursing can be amazing, but also has unique demands that are very different from those of infancy.

I have found that extended nursing moms move through 5 phases before successful weaning.

Want to know what phase you're currently in? Take my FREE Extended Breastfeeding Quiz!

The results will show you not just where you are, but specifc tips to help you manage your breastfeeding toddler going forward.

Comment QUIZ and I'll send you the link!

01/24/2025

Breastfeeding burnout doesn't discriminate. As a mother, it's easy to forget that our partners are also affected by the demands of extended nursing. 😩

They want to support us, but they may not know how. They miss us and crave physical connection, but they also understand (okay, sometimes they don't get it) why we're touched out at the end of the day. It can be a frustrating and isolating experience for everyone involved.

But weaning may not be the solution. Removing your child's primary source of comfort without additional tools can make things worse. Instead, let's work together to find new ways to build connections and implement breastfeeding boundaries that work for your family. 🍼😍

The Nursing Mamas' Social Circle is a space to build strategies that help the whole family through the extended breastfeeding journey. DM me to learn more!📲

01/22/2025

Mothers who expect to breastfeed may not realize that their attitude is essential to their ability to breastfeed. While most new moms find breastfeeding a rewarding experience, it can also induce worry and stress. 😫

Intention to breastfeed is one of the strongest predictors of successful breastfeeding and nursing for the intended duration. During the first few weeks after birth, mothers may doubt their desire to breastfeed. Why? The most common reason for discontinuing nursing is the perceived lack of milk.

Lack of breast milk is often (but not always) a mother's perspective rather than actuality. Insufficient milk production might affect a mother's confidence in meeting her baby's demands. 🤱

As a mother gains confidence in her problem-solving ability, she is more likely to master breastfeeding skills. Confidence that your infant will respond to your efforts and that your significant other will support your efforts increases your ability to breastfeed.💕

01/20/2025

Partner support helps the breastfeeding relationship tremendously, especially for a new mother.

Did you know that the success of breastfeeding is affected by the partner’s attitude towards it?

Some men may believe that breastfeeding is solely between the mother and child.

They tend to feel excluded from the role, and may encourage you to pump so they can "help" by giving a bottle.

Instead, we need to reframe the non-lactating parent's role in the first weeks of parenthood to be first and foremost to take care of mom as she heals and recovers.

In those first weeks of breastfeeding, that should be her only concern and is the best way to ensure she gets to 6 months, a year, and beyond!

What are examples of how your husband/partner helped you so you?

01/17/2025

I, of course don't remember being nursed by a single mom, but after I became a mom myself and struggled with breastfeeding with so many more resources than she had, I had so much more respect for what she and other solo nursing moms achieve. 💪👩‍👧‍👦🍼

Were you ever a solo nursing mom? What held your hand (and heart) through the journey? Share your thoughts & stories below. ⬇️

Or do you know a solo nursing mom? Pass along this message. Make every single mom feel seen, heard, and immensely celebrated! 💫

Let's celebrate, let's connect, let's bring our experiences to light. 💜

01/15/2025

Being a mom comes with a lot of emotional weight, especially when preparing to step away from your little one for the first time. 💔

The worries, the guilt, the endless questions—it's all part of the journey. Remember, you deserve self-care and time for yourself, too. 🌸 You’re doing an amazing job, and finding balance is tough, but you are more resilient than you know.

Want help preparing for your trip? Comment CONSULT and I will send you a link for a FREE 15 minute chat to get you on the right track!

❤️

01/13/2025

Navigating toddler nursing can often lead to surprising encounters, especially with healthcare professionals who are supposed to guide us. 😔

And even though the CDC and AAP support 2 years of breastfeeding and beyond, some doctors still may share subtle signs that their methods run counter to continued breastfeeding.

Be alert to red flags from your pediatrician, such as urging early weaning, discouraging night feeds, or misconceptions about nursing's impact on dental health. 😨

These signals may indicate a lack of support for extended breastfeeding. By 12 months, if there’s pressure for your child to rely solely on solids and dismiss the significance of your nursing bond, it’s crucial to reassess if this is the right pediatrician for you.

Extended breastfeeding offers numerous benefits, and your journey deserves respect and proper guidance on food, sleep, and weaning strategies. 💕

Have you faced unsupportive remarks about breastfeeding from your pediatrician? Share them below.👇

01/10/2025

My 7 1/2 year old started talking about how good my milk was, and how it changed flavors based on what I ate.

Vegetables! Ice cream! Protein bar! These are the flavor core memories from her toddler years, lol 😄

Who knew motherhood could be this entertaining? Moms, what does your kiddo say your milk tastes like? Drop your funniest, quirkiest answers below!

01/08/2025

I believe "don't offer, don't refuse" can be a useful breastfeeding strategy, as long as your child is not asking more than you want to nurse.

This strategy is innocently suggested to extended nursers, often by moms who didn't have a super b**b obsessed child.

If you have been trying don't offer, don't refuse to help reduce the number of nursing sessions, only to find you are nursing more than ever, this strategy may not be working as you'd hoped and something new is in order.

Unsure where you stand? My free Extended Breastfeeding Quiz helps identify your current stage and offers tailored tips. 👇

Ready for clarity and guidance? Comment "QUIZ" and I'll send the link to navigate your nursing journey with confidence! 🤱✨

01/06/2025

Are you afraid that your special bond with your child will go away once you wean?

That perhaps they only love you more because of your milk?

I know I worried about that. What would make me special without my milk?

This I promise you: Your child's love for you surpasses all their love for the milk, and your connection will continue to grow in new and amazing ways after you wean. 🤗💖

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