Some hospitals have large lactation staffs, while others do not have any at all. Some people are automatically seen daily by a consultant during their stay, while others have to request a visit if they're having difficulty. If lactation visits are not part of the daily routine of your hospital, your nurse can request one for you. You also have the option to hire a private lactation consultant to come visit with you during your hospital stay.
If your hospital does not have a lactation staff and you are not in a position to hire one, labor and delivery nurses can be helpful in assisting with the early days of breastfeeding.
After leaving the hospital, people sometimes seek the help of a lactation consultant to ensure that they are on the right track while breastfeeding.
A lactation consultant can determine if any adjustments are needed and help address any concerns you have about how breastfeeding is going. Even if you saw a lactation consultant in the hospital, problems that weren't there at the beginning may suddenly appear at any time during breastfeeding. It's important to have support when questions or breastfeeding issues come up, and a lactation consultant is an ideal person to call in these cases.
You should not hesitate to contact your lactation consultant. If you have problems that do not go away or don't get better, it's important to reach out to them so that your issues can be addressed promptly.
The sooner you can treat and resolve breastfeeding issues, the better it will be for you and your baby. During your initial meeting, a lactation consultant will ask for information about you and your baby's health, as well as your pregnancy and delivery.
They will want to know your baby's birth weight, any changes in weight since then, and your family health history. They will want to know how the baby has been breastfeeding, how many wet diapers your baby is having each day, information about your baby's bowel movements , and any specific concerns that you have.
Clinically, the lactation consultant will:. Whether the visit is in a hospital, clinic, office, or private home, it is important that you feel comfortable with the visit. As a patient or client, you have rights just as you do when visiting a doctor.
The lactation consultant should:. Breastfeeding is a very personal experience, so it's important that your lactation consultant is someone that you're comfortable with. If you're looking for a consultant outside of a hospital setting, you may choose to interview several consultants before deciding who is the best fit for your needs.
Teaches how to position her infant at the breast in a way that suits them best. Develops a discharge plan for when the family goes home. Beyond that, lactation consultants also act as a resource to NICU staff to answer their questions about lactation support and as an advocate for parents within the hospital system.
They will receive a one-on-one consultation with the lactation consultant. After a plan of care is developed, you will work together to learn how to use the breast pump and talk about how to safely store and handle breast milk. Each family should get an orientation to familiarize them with the NICU and show them the resources that are available for them to use. Your email address will not be published.
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. They are available in most communities and provide a vital connection to lactation specialists and other breastfeeding moms in the community. Breastfeeding help is often just a phone call away. Never hesitate to reach out for help. Working with a lactation specialist may be just the thing you need to help achieve an enjoyable successful breastfeeding experience and reap the benefits associated with breastfeeding.
Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer. Do I need a lactation consultant? August 6, By Cindy Baker-Fox, registered nurse and international board-certified lactation consultant at CHOC In addition to the proven health benefits for mom and baby, breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience that fosters bonding.
The difference between lactation consultants and lactation educators Lactation specialists with the title IBCLC international board-certified lactation consultants are clinicians who have received advanced education and training in the fields of lactation, breast anatomy and physiology, infant feeding development, infant oral anatomy, and complex lactation issues and challenges. Many pediatric offices have lactation educators in their practice, or they can refer you to a lactation consultant in the community.
Breastfeeding is a constant learning curve that both you and your baby navigate as you both gain the skill of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding requires lots of practice and patience from both mom and baby, especially in the early postpartum period, as you both learn what works for you. Lactation consultants help with common breastfeeding issues new mothers face such as difficulties with positioning and attaching their baby; which in turn can cause your baby to nurse ineffectively at the breast causing sore nipples, engorgement, poor milk supply or discomfort.
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