Sarah Siebold, IBCLC, MA

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Sarah Siebold is an International board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC) based in Los Angeles, California. She runs her own lactation consulting practice called IMMA, where she specializes in emotional support, clinical care, and evidence-based breastfeeding practices. Her editorial work about new motherhood and breastfeeding has been featured in VoyageLA, The Tot, and Hello My Tribe. She completed her clinical lactation training in both private practice and outpatient settings through the University of California, San Diego. She also earned her M.A. in English and American Literature from New York University.

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Q&A Comments (18)

How do I know if my baby is ready to start eating solid foods?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not starting solid foods until at least six months of age. With that said, some babies are ready a little bit earlier than others. There are a couple of readiness cues you can look for. You want them all to be present, not just one. First, your baby needs to show interest in family meals by watching you put things in your mouth, put things on your plate, and do things at the dinner table. They also need good head and neck control and the ability to sit on their own unsupported so they don't choke. Additionally, they should be starting to develop what's called the pincer grasp, where they can actually start using their fingers to grab smaller bits of food. Finally, you should look for the elimination of a reflex called the tongue-thrust reflex, which causes babies to thrust their tongue and push things out of their mouth.
What foods should I avoid when I'm breastfeeding?
You don't need to avoid any foods! Old wives tales tell us that certain foods will make our babies gassy, but what we know scientifically is that that's just not true. A very small percentage of babies will have slight food intolerances based on the mother's diet, but more often than not, we really recommend moms eat everything in their diet. You should be eating a very nutrient-dense, rich array of foods. Spicy foods, cruciferous veggies, and other foods that were considered bad for lactation are really just myths.
Is breastmilk better than formula?
Breast milk is medicine in a way that formula isn't. Formula does provide calories for your baby and help your baby grow, but it doesn't provide medicine the way breast milk does. That's because every time your baby comes to your breast, your milk composition changes based on their needs.
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Co-authored Articles (5)

Inducing Lactation without Pregnancy

What you need to know about stimulating non-gestational lactationWhether you are adopting a baby, are looking to work as a wet nurse, or are a transgender woman with a baby on the way, you may wish to induce lactation wi...

How to

Switch Baby Formula

You may need to switch your baby's formula for cost reasons, or because you're hoping to make your baby's tummy feel better. It's important to talk to your doctor before you make the change. Infant formulas are highly re...

Tips & Tricks for Waking Up a Sleeping Baby

What to do when your newborn doesn’t wake up on their own to start the day or be fedIf you’ve ever had someone tell you “Never wake a sleeping baby,” you may wonder why this article’s even being written. The re...

How to

Stop Breastfeeding a Toddler

If you've nursed your baby all the way into toddlerhood, congratulations! That's a lot of work, and while you're probably looking forward to being near the end of it, it's normal to have mixed emotions about the transiti...

How to

Keep Breast Milk Cold Without a Fridge

While the best way to store your breast milk is in the refrigerator or freezer, this may not always be possible, at least in the short term. If you need to pump and you aren't around a fridge, you can store the milk at r...