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So you’re thinking about breastfeeding? Congratulations for considering one of nature’s most perfect foods for infants! According to the Cleveland Clinic, breastfeeding brings numerous health benefits for both baby and mommy. So why do many new mothers struggle with breastfeeding if it’s supposed to be so natural? Doesn’t natural mean easy?
Unfortunately, no. A study conducted by researchers at UC Davis and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found that 92 percent of new mothers had at least one concern about breastfeeding after birth. That’s right, 92 percent.
Cue, the invaluable Lactation Consultant.
What is a lactation consultant?
A lactation consultant is a healthcare professional who provides specialized and targeted help to facilitate the breastfeeding journey of both mother and child. While lactation consultants are readily found making their rounds in the maternity wards (mine was hard to pin down, honestly), many lactation consultants also do home visits. This is especially necessary since many breastfeeding concerns arise when the milk comes in three days postpartum which is when most new mothers are already discharged from the hospital.
“My consultant put me on a pumping schedule that helped stimulate my milk supply,” Los Angeles mom Kiera Chan previously told Mom.com. “While this wasn’t ideal and took a lot of time, it was worth the effort.”
When do you need to call a lactation consultant?
When breastfeeding becomes challenging, painful, and frustrating, it might be wise to consider booking an appointment with a lactation consultant. A difficult or painful latch is a good indicator that expert advice would be beneficial.
“The process can be difficult or confusing for new moms who are looking for support and education. As a result, some moms may stop breastfeeding earlier than they had hoped,” Cindy Baker-Fox, lactation consultant for Children’s Health Orange County, said on the CHOC site. “In these cases, it may not be necessary to stop breastfeeding, but rather work with a lactation consultant who can evaluate milk supply, a baby’s breastfeeding skills, and any other factors that may be resulting in breastfeeding issues.”
How do I find a lactation consultant?
Your first stop is to ask friends who’ve seen a lactation consultant. There is nothing like a recommendation from a trusted source. In the United States, you can find a lactation consultant via a national directory. Most countries would also have their own directory that can help find a lactation consultant near you.
For your peace of mind, verify that your lactation consultant is IBCLC certified. This simply means that your lactation consultant has undergone the most rigorous certification process which includes extensive clinical experience, in-depth study on lactation-specific education, and multiple examinations.
A less-rigorous but no less important group of lactation consultants are CLC-certified who work “within a counseling model.” They undergo about 52 hours of training based on a WHO and UNICEF framework in addition to other training. They are widely available as well and can be found in many directories like this one, from the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice.
Lactation consultant programs
Lactation consultant programs vary across different providers and hospitals. First, check with your hospital or midwifery provider if lactation consultations are part of the delivery package.
Surprisingly, some lactation consultant programs offered by hospitals include ante-natal workshops to introduce mothers to the science and art of breastfeeding, followed by a short visit by a lactation consultant twelve hours postpartum, and another before hospital discharge.
Hospital-based lactation programs can also include unlimited over-the-phone consultations with the lactation consultants. Other private lactation consultant programs include a package of home visitations pre and post-partum.
Questions to ask a lactation consultant
Finally, before going for consultation, try to write down your questions and any other concerns about your baby. This may seem like such a silly piece of advice, but the postpartum haze is real. (Trust me, I went through it four times!) The next thing you know, your lactation consultant is out the door when you realize you’ve forgotten to ask about how the football hold works. And of course, watching the NFL to figure it out does not help. At all.
Some questions you might want to ask:
- Am I doing it correctly?
- Should breastfeeding hurt?
- How do I hold my baby to breastfeed?
- How often do I feed the baby?
- How long should I breastfeed?
- When should I start pumping?
- What if I get a cold or need certain medications?
Also, remember to note down the frequency of your breastfeeding sessions, the duration of each session, temperament of the baby during feeds, as well as any pain or soreness in your breasts or nipples. These are all important pieces of information that can be helpful in solving your breastfeeding issues.
Whatever the case, new moms, do not be afraid to reach out to one when you need help. And that goes the same for second-time (or third!) moms too. Because one thing is sure, we were never meant to do this motherhood thing alone. Ever.
