Lactation/Feeding Support

A lactation consultant is a certified health professional who specializes in breastfeeding issues. They can help parents and infants with issues like milk supply, sore nipples and breastfeeding positions. Some lactation consultants work with hospitals and birthing centers, while others have private practices.

Lactation consultants can offer peace of mind during a potentially stressful time by answering questions, giving advice, and helping to troubleshoot breastfeeding problems. Even if you're a seasoned pro, sometimes having a lactation consultant weigh in if feeding issues come up can be helpful.

If your baby refuses to latch, has difficulty latching or staying on the breast contact a lactation consultant for an evaluation. Difficulties with latch or breast refusal can occur with babies of all ages. Remember pain with feeding is not normal, reach out for support sooner than later.

• A baby who won’t latch

• Sore nipples

• Breast engorgement

• Concerns about supply

• Infant weight gain

Breastfeeding should NOT be painful, although there may be initial discomfort as both mom and baby get the hang of it. When a baby is latch correctly, its tongue and gums will massage the milk ducts which is key to proper breastfeeding and milk production. An incorrect latch, on the nipple, will lead to pain, nipple damage and eventually low milk production. If breastfeeding is painful, you should follow up with an board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC)

A breastfed, newborn baby should nurse at least 10-12 times, per day. Watch for baby’s hunger cues to initiate a feed (every 2hrs is appropriate) and allow baby’s cues during a feed to signal they’ve finished eating. A full, satiated baby will self unlatch from the breast. Baby’s hands are great fuel gages: a hungry baby will have tight, clenched fists. A satiated baby will have open, relaxed hands. If your baby is fussy, sucking on fists or rooting after a feed, try offering the breast again. The best way to track overall nutrition, is through weight gain and diaper output: at least 6 wet diapers and about 2 dirty diapers, per day. Your newborn baby should be gaining 5-7 ounces, per week. Baby should regain birth weight by 2 weeks of age. If concerned your baby isn’t getting enough, talk to your pediatrician or board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC)

For a newborn who is not back to birth weight, it is very important to wake them, every 2-3hrs during the night, for a feed. Newborns need to eat at least 10-12 times, every day. If baby is difficult to rouse, stripping them and putting them skin-to-skin with you, may help or change their diaper and/or gently rub their body to wake them. Once baby is back up to birth weight, gaining appropriately and your pediatrician gives consent, it may not be necessary to wake baby for feeds, at night. If you find your baby is not waking at night to nurse and isn’t gaining weight well, talk to your pediatrician and reach out to a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) to develop a plan

You might be surprised to know that your body begins milk production in your second trimester of pregnancy, around 16 weeks. Your body first makes colostrum, which is full of all the essential nutrients for the baby and easy for a newborn to digest. About 30-40 minutes after you have delivered the placenta, your milk supply will kick into overdrive, due to a shift in hormones that signals your body that it’s time to start making more milk. You may visually notice this shift, 2-5 days after giving birth, by noticing that the thick, yellow colostrum is turning into a creamy, golden or white milk. Milk output should also increase by then, from a few milliliters to an ounce or more.

When it comes to choosing what to store your expressed milk in, making sure it is protected, is essential. There are plenty of storage options, including: bags, glass jars, plastic bottles, etc. When storing your milk, remember the number 4: Expressed milk can be left at room temperature for 4-6 hrs, in the refrigerator for 4-6 days and in the freezer for 4-6 months. TIP: if you store breastmilk in 2-4oz increments, it not only cuts the thawing and/or warming times but it also helps decrease milk waste.