Browse Ask Nurse Wendy

By Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC, RLC    The short answer is yes… but my general rule of thumb is that pregnancy and postpartum are off limits for dieting. Depending on your pre-pregnancy BMI and/or weight gain during pregnancy, there may be concerns about getting the weight off during postpartum. The ketogenic diet (AKA keto diet) has been rising in popularity, especially among mothers for quick weight loss. As a registered nurse and lactation consultant, let’s break this diet down further to make sure it’s the right choice for you and your baby. The keto diet limits carbohydrates from grains, potatoes, and other carbohydrate rich foods, often as low as 30g of carbohydrates a day or until ketosis is achieved. Ketosis is...

By Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC, RLC   We’ve all been there mama! You’re feeling under the weather and looking for natural options that are safe for you and your baby while breastfeeding. It can be a confusing task to find things that are effective while being safe! Let’s break down my top recommendations for over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements for breastfeeding mothers! Vitamin D3: This is hands-down my favorite vitamin! I believe in it so much I became a certified Vitamin D practitioner in public health. Greater than 50% of the population is deficient, and yet it’s not even included in routine prenatal labs. Correcting a low Vitamin D level while pregnant has been associated with fewer preterm births, gestational diabetes,...

By Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC, RLC   Breastfeeding in and of itself can be demanding, but breastfeeding when you are sick can be even more challenging. Your mind may begin to conjure up all kinds of worse-case scenarios triggering a myriad of questions. Is it okay to continue breastfeeding when I’m sick? Do I need to change my breastfeeding routine? Will my supply decrease?  Let's talk about it!   Should I Continue to Breastfeed While Sick? It’s almost bound to happen that you will come down with a cold, sore throat, the flu, or food poisoning at some point in your breastfeeding relationship with your baby. It is very, very rare for a mom to need to stop breastfeeding for...

By Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC, RLC   Getting sick when you are a mom is unavoidable, but knowing how to navigate through it if you are breastfeeding/pumping is a must to avoid accidentally dropping your supply!  No medicines can "cure" colds and the flu, but you can ease your symptoms with some over-the-counter medication and some natural immune-supporting herbal supplements.     While 99% of prescription and over-the-counter medications are safe, they are not always safe for your milk supply.  Since medical schools skim over human lactation and all the facets, your physician will likely know about which medications are compatible with breastfeeding and protect your milk supply.  Consult your local IBCLC or call your hospital’s lactation department to guide you and...

By Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC, RLC   We’ve been there mama! After having a million people touch you when giving birth and a new (and so sweet) baby that wants to nurse on repeat, it can feel like your body isn't yours anymore. Today we are going to break down the top 5 ways to feel like yourself again post-birth!  Let me start by saying, there are two major aspects to postpartum that operate alone or in the best (or worst) cases together. The first being physical (hello, body that looks different) and the second being emotional (hello, hormones and adjusting to mom life). I wouldn’t be doing you any favors if I didn’t touch on both, so here it...