Meet Manhasset lactation consultant Beverley Rae. She's an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Clinical Social Worker. Since establishing her private practice, Breastfeeding Resources, in 1986 she has helped thousands of new moms to breastfeed successfully. You can read more about her impressive background, which includes teaching as an adjunct professor and serving as the president of the Board of Directors of the International Lactation Consultant Association on her website.
Beverley was kind enough to answer a few questions about her practice and to offer some advice to mothers of toddlers:
Why did you become a lactation consultant?
Nursing my own five children was an empowering and fulfilling experience. I wanted to help other women to breastfeed successfully, and was one of the first on Long Island to sit for the boards for certification as a lactation consultant. I've been in private practice in Manhasset for more than 20 years.
Do you have a philosophy for your practice?
Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a baby. I remind new mothers that it's not an intellectual activity, that you can't learn it from a book ... you need to "do it." And, like all things worthwhile, breastfeeding takes practice and patience in the beginning. I encourage new moms to yell for help, and stick with it, "one feeding at a time."
What services do you offer?
Home and office consultations; pre-natal education; breastfeeding support groups; Medela Symphony breast pump rentals.
Is there anything else you would like my readers to know about you?
I'm also a clinical social worker and sometimes put on my social work "hat" when doing a consult. Often it's not the breastfeeding itself but all the "other stuff" going on around a new mom that makes breastfeeding seem daunting.
Do you have any tips for a mom trying to wean a toddler who loves to nurse?
Golden rule - don't offer the breast but don't refuse. When you refuse, toddlers become very anxious and clingy. Of course you can distract, and sometimes that works, if the toddler is ready to give up that particular nursing.
Change the daily routine. For example, if toddler nurses in bed in the morning, get up before he wakes and have breakfast ready when he does. Start reading a book to toddler before his bedtime nursing. He might fall asleep. Get Daddy to read the book/put toddler to bed.
A helpful guide is "Mothering Your Nursing Toddler" by Norma Jane Bumgarner.
For further information:
Breastfeeding Resources is located at 64 Manhasset Woods Rd, Manhasset, NY 11030. You can reach Beverley by phone at (516) 365-4877 or by email at info@breastfeedingresources.net. A wealth of resources and helpful links can be found on her website: http://www.breastfeedingresources.net/ and on the Breastfeeding Resources Facebook page here.
Upcoming Events:
The New Mothers Group will be meeting on October 21 & 28 from 1:30 to 2:45 pm. "Planning for Return to Work" will be the focus on October 21. To register, email Beverley at info@breastfeedingresources.net. Fee: $20 per session.
A Toddler Group for older nursing babies meets at her office on Thursday October 28th from 10.30 am to 11.45am. Weaning - when and how - is one of the topics. To register, email Beverley at info@breastfeedingresources.net. Fee: $20 per session.
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