What to say about Irene and the Breastfeeding and Beyond team. Well I write this on behalf of my wife Amanda's experience. We had trouble from the start getting our son to latch (first time parents). We had an amazing experience working with Empowered Beginnings (Ashley & Dawn) as our duals. They recommended Irene as our lactation consultant. We didn't start with Irene right away. My wife didn't think it would be necessary. Let me tell you from watching breastfeeding is a skill that is learned. After having a rough 2 weeks trying and my wife fearing feeding due to the nipple pain we called Irene. We had a virtual "in home" lactation visit that was life changing. The details: 1. She was very accessible and accommodating with availability. 2. It was a simple FaceTime because that worked for us. 3. She was polite, pleasant, accommodating and skilled at coaching. She understood how my life listened and interpreted instruction. 4. Very Very through! Informative and had a ton of answers for things we didn't know to ask as new parents. Also mind you my wife and I read multiple books and took an online course. We weren't going in blind, but Irene's background of expertise is so through she knows what is not expected. 5. The FB community and basic child development support services set her apart 100%. Needless to say my wife went from being discouraged and not thinking she could fulfill her dream of breastfeeding for the first year to being optimistic. Now it wasn't one and done. My wife still struggled from time to time with getting the hang of it. Irene was there for follow up and continued support. If you are preparing or struggling with breastfeeding look no further. If you think you need in person her virtual service is perfect. Mom and baby are the physical team Irene is the wisdom and eyes to coach through the hurdles. Needless to say.... THANK YOU IRENE AND THE BREASTFEEDING AND BEYOND TEAM. read more

Breastfeeding & Beyond - Mighty Maverick - Lactation Services Near Me

7 years ago, I brought my newborn to Irene's classes at Yale New Haven hospital. I was overwhelmed and struggling, but with her help, my son and I succeeded at breastfeeding. I listened carefully to the answers she gave other mothers, which turns out to have been great for my future; I have 3 more kids now and have nursed them all through many weird and normal issues. Without Irene, there is no way I'd have made it. If you need help, call Irene! read more

Breastfeeding & Beyond - #4, growing and thriving - Lactation Services Near Me

Irene has helped me both in person and virtually with both of my children. I am so grateful for her support. With both babies their latches caused me a great deal of pain. She was able to help correct the situation both times. With my first I went on to successfully breastfeed for 22 months. I'm currently going on 6 months with my second. read more

Irene is amazing. She helped me with my breastfeeding journey with both my children. 17 months with my first and 15 months currently with my second. She truly is wonderful. Always available to talk on the phone, send a text message, or look at pictures to answer questions. I highly recommend her!!! read more

I worked with Irene while I breastfed both of my kids. She literally saved me. I can't stress enough how much of a gift Irene was to my breastfeeding journey and mental health during the newborn stage. I had blebs, mastitis, clogged ducts, all of it. She was so supportive and knew exactly what to do each time. I will remember her positivity and endless support for the rest of my life. No exaggeration, she is the most essential postpartum caretaker you will ever meet. read more

Irene is amazing, just call her. She helped me tremendously in the early days of having a newborn. Now with my second I called her for advice and she was again super helpful. I'm a physician and think she was by far the most important person I spoke with during that time, she provided more help to me than my OB and the pediatrician. read more

I worked with Irene twice- once in person and once via zoom because of the pandemic. In both situations I found her to be knowledgeable, caring, and supportive. Not only did she really know what she was doing, but she helped me to feel confident as well. I highly recommend her for all Breastfeeding mamas! read more

Irene is the absolute best lactation consultant in the area-- she is literally a legend. She helped me get through a really difficult start to breastfeeding with myself daughter, and we ended up nursing until she was nearly 2.5 years old. She helped again when my son was born and we are going strong at 10 months. She is super supportive, always available to answer questions, and knows absolutely everything when it comes to breastfeeding. Her home visits are so helpful, and the ongoing support she provides is essential to meeting my breastfeeding goals. I couldn't recommend her more highly. read more

Irene is incredible. After a week of struggling with breastfeeding and exclusively pumping in order to feed my newborn, Irene came to the rescue. Within minutes of her arrival, my baby was latched. Her gentle presence made everyone feel relaxed. and I also loved that she left me with many tips and tricks! read more

Irene is AMAZING. I was having so much trouble breastfeeding my first baby and while other lactation consultants were not helping me at all and we were about to give formula, by a stroke of good luck Irene walked into the room. She completely helped us, showed me and my husband helpful techniques and shared her Facebook group with us. When we got home she FaceTimed with us to troubleshoot. For my second baby, she visited us both in the hospital and at home. She is amazing. Extremely fair pricing as well. She is generous and patient, and the bottom line is, her techniques work. There is absolutely no one I would trust more on this journey than Irene. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING IRENE!!!! The best!!!! read more

I don't even know how to describe the gratitude I feel for this woman!! Let's put it this way, besides the anesthesiologist, Irene was my favorite part of my birth experience and so incredibly vital to my breastfeeding success. With my first child, I didn't know what I was doing at all. My baby just cried all the time, wasn't gaining weight, and I was exhausted. Irene talked to me through my tears, calmed me down and man did she get my baby nursing...I'm talking total milk coma. I nursed my oldest until she was 14 months old. 2nd child comes along 2.5 years later and you would think I was a pro at it, but I think I forgot how to do it and her latch wasn't great. Irene came in and got her to latch perfectly and everything was smooth sailing after that. 16 months I nursed her for. 3rd child comes along 2 years later and again, this time I REALLY should know what I was doing, but again, I forgot and I had to figure out how to get my 3rd child to latch. A different Nurse comes in and tries to help but it's not working well so I just go ahead and ask if Irene is still there and if she is, to please get her. So she comes in, gets her to latch perfectly and so quickly and I nurse her for 15 months! I truly believe Irene is the reason why I was able to nurse exclusively and for so long. SO many of my friends have given up on breastfeeding because it can be really difficult so I give Irene ALL the credit for my success. Thank you for being the absolute BEST, Irene!!! read more

Irene is the most amazing, positive, and empowering lactation consultant there is! I have three children and she helped with everyone of them! With my first by two weeks my little one still wasn't back up to birth weight, I was exhausted and in pain, and pediatrician was talking about supplementing with formula. Seeing Irene was the only way I made it through not only our nursing journey but those early days as a new mom. I nursed my first child until 18 months, my second until 21 months, and my third child is almost 3 and we are still on our journey. The one piece of advice I give to expectant mom's is if you struggle with nursing (which most mom's do) get help from a lactation consultant immediately! Someone who supports you, believes in you, and makes you feel like you can do it! The only lactation consultant that ever made me feel this way was Irene. I just wish I could give more than 5 stars :) read more