IBCLC, CLC
Rebecca Koyf is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC),Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a LaLeche League volunteer. She has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and worked as an Auditor for the NYC Comptroller’s Office for 8 years. Her own breastfeeding struggles made her change her career and pursue the field in lactation. She has her own practice in Brooklyn, New York - New York Lactation Care Inc.
Rebecca is trained in the Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad. She offers specialized care in supporting families whose babies have tethered oral tissues (tongue/lip tie). Her practical, evidence-based approach empowers parents to make informed decisions and achieve their breastfeeding goals. She offers home visits as well as virtual consultations.
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You may find that your baby bites while nursing. If you are wondering how and why your baby won’t stop biting while nursing, this post is for you. Breast biting by the infant while nursing is unpleasant, and many mothers may misunderstand it as a sign that their baby is ready to wean. However, you…
Nausea is an unpleasant sensation that may cause a strong urge to vomit. While it is common during pregnancy, some women may also experience nausea during breastfeeding (1). Nausea after childbirth may be related to lactation, but it may not be as common during pregnancy. Read this post as we bring information about home remedies,…
Looking at your saggy breasts after pregnancy/breastfeeding might make you think, ‘do breasts shrink after pregnancy? You should know that breast sagging is a natural aspect of post-pregnancy adjustments. It’s also known as ‘ptosis,’ and it’s more of a cosmetic change than a medical concern. This post discusses the causes of drooping or sagging breasts…
If you are experiencing dehydration when breastfeeding, it can change the composition and quantity of breast milk. Low water intake and fluid loss can deplete the fluid levels in the body. In such cases, nursing moms are more likely to develop dehydration due to increased fluid demand. Mild dehydration may not affect the milk supply,…
Lemon water is a refreshing drink that is rich in vitamin C and helps prevent and cure the common cold. It is also popularly used as a therapeutic agent in folk medicine. However, the consumption of lemon water when breastfeeding should be regulated since lemon can aggravate acidity in sensitive individuals. Read on to learn…
Consuming specific foods to increase breast milk can benefit nursing mothers with a low milk supply. Since breast milk is a newborn’s sole source of nourishment, it is important to ensure your body produces adequate amounts of it. Low milk production is rare but may be caused by certain health conditions and may affect the…
Chia seeds are a derivative of the Chia plant (scientifically known as Salvia hispanica), which belongs to the mint family. While nursing, most moms are concerned about the possible interactions between Chia seeds and breastfeeding such as effects on breast milk production and the safety aspects of consuming them. However, chia seeds have high nutritional…
Maintaining the body’s optimum hydration levels is vital for regulating the physiological functions that promote health and well-being. Since lactating women usually produce more than 750ml of milk every day, their daily water requirement is higher (1). Thus, experts recommend that nursing mothers drink enough water when breastfeeding. Scroll down to learn more about how much…
Cluster feeding is a typical behavior in newborns where the baby wants to have frequent, brief feeding sessions (1). Your infant may require multiple nursing sessions in a short period, leaving you exhausted and tired. Cluster feeding usually occurs in infants because their stomachs are not big enough to store a lot of milk. Hence,…
Coconut water is a refreshing beverage that possesses distinctive nutritional, medicinal, and therapeutic properties. In some cultures, coconut water when breastfeeding is used as a galactagogue to increase breast milk production and supply. Perhaps that is why its use to treat ailments like dehydration is common in folk medicine (1). However, this purported coconut benefit…
New moms sometimes believe that if they exclusively breastfeed, they may prevent getting their period. However, it is just a myth, bringing to the question of when to expect the first period after breastfeeding? The truth is that you will begin menstruation shortly after childbirth. Your postpartum menstruation may begin as soon as a few…
Essential oils (EOs) are volatile oils extracted from aromatic plants or herbs. These fragrant, rejuvenating oils are used in aromatherapy and traditional medicine for therapeutic, relaxation, and cosmetic purposes. Some also consider it as an alternative medicine to conventional ones. However, though they are generally considered safe, some mothers may wonder, “Is it safe to…
Decaf coffee is a popular alternative to regular coffee that contains less caffeine but has the same aroma and flavor. As experts advise nursing mothers to limit their caffeine intake, you would want to know if drinking decaf coffee while breastfeeding is a safe option. Knowing this is essential as regardless of the content in…
The side-lying breastfeeding position is when you lie on your side and place your baby alongside you on their side. In this position, you face each other with your baby’s head at the level of your breast. Hence, it is also known as the reclining or lying down position. Experts consider this position comfortable and…
Many parents doubt whether it is safe to mix breast milk and formula to feed a baby. Without a doubt, breast milk is the best food for babies up to six months and older. You may feed expressed breast milk if the baby cannot feed directly from the breast. Sometimes, doctors recommend supplementing infant formula…
Breast milk alone can fulfill an infant's nutritional needs; therefore, exclusive breastfeeding is advised until a baby turns six months old (1). In most cases, babies are fed from both breasts. However, you may notice that your baby sometimes may prefer breastfeeding from one breast. For most women, one-sided breastfeeding is a typical condition. An…
Benadryl is an over-the-counter (OTC) syrup commonly used by people to alleviate the symptoms of cough or as an antihistamine to improve the symptoms of skin irritation. However, maintain caution as Benadryl while breastfeeding may be unsafe as it has mild sedative properties and may pass into the baby through the breastmilk. Keep reading this…
If you see your baby choking on breastmilk, it could be because their swallowing skills aren’t fully developed. Choking when breastfeeding can result in innocuousiXNot harmful to one's physical or mental health. coughing. Further, milk can sometimes make its way into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia (1). If your baby has rapid breathing, turns blue,…
The transition of shifting your baby from bottle-feeding to a cup can be as difficult as it was for breastfeeding to bottle. So here we will tell you when to stop bottle feeding the babies to make the shift easier for you. Now that your baby is comfortable holding the bottle, they may not adapt…
Nursing mothers prefer nursing pillows, also known as feeding pillows or nursing cushions, to make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable. A breastfeeding mother's feeding cushion is a U-shaped pillow that goes around her waist. During breastfeeding time, these pillows support the mother's back, spine, and neck. In this post, we discuss why a feeding cushion…
Chamomile tea is a popular beverage prepared by steeping dried chamomile flowers in boiling water. It is widely popular for its calming effects and distinctive therapeutic properties. You may consider taking chamomile tea when breastfeeding for its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-depression, and lactogeniciXA substance or hormone that induces the production of milk effects. However, most of…
Breastfeeding a baby beyond infancy is called extended breastfeeding. Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until six months, breastfeeding beyond the first year of life may help a child obtain better nutrition and immunity competence. The weaning process is also easier in extended breastfeeding since babies get time to wean as they get more used to…
Breastfeeding a newborn is one of the most wonderful times for a mother and her little one. If you are a new mom who just began breastfeeding, learning about some breastfeeding techniques and knacks could help you feed your baby with utmost comfort. Though a natural phenomenon, breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be…
Bottle-fed babies may encounter the problem of nipple confusion, also known as a bottle preference (1). The natural nipples usually differ from a bottle teat, causing the baby's two experiences to be different. As a result, the baby may be unable to latch well while breastfeeding (2). The feeding sessions may also become shorter or…