What Is A Lactation Consultant?

Lactation Consultants are a vital part of the healthcare system. Together with your baby's doctor and your own obstetrician/gynecologist or general practitioner, they ensure that yours and your baby's care as a breastfeeding couple is complete.

Lactation Consultants who carry the credentials, IBCLC, behind their names are specially trained and qualified to assist with every aspect of breastfeeding. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant represents the 'gold standard' in lactation consultant credentialing. Look for this credential when seeking the assistance of a lactation consultant in order to ensure the highest level of training, experience, and expertise.

Lactation consultants can assist you in preparation for breastfeeding before baby arrives through the time you or your baby choose to wean. Many times they serve as simply a source of information, encouragement, and reassurance that all is well. At other times, their in depth knowledge and hands on assistance may be necessary to address a particular problem or difficulty you may be having.

The following are situations where you might find a lactation consultant's expertise especially helpful:

When you begin breastfeeding and need hands on help with your early attempts at latch and positioning.

When you are experiencing sore nipples, yeast infection of the nipple, or other nipple traumas.

When your breasts are engorged or you are dealing with plugged ducts or breast infections or when you are having breast pain of any kind while nursing.

When your baby won't latch on or is having trouble feeding due to any reason.

When you are concerned about your milk supply.

When you have been told to supplement and you wonder how this might affect breastfeeding.

When you are concerned that your baby is not getting enough or you are not sure how to tell.

When your baby is not gaining weight with in normal parameters or your doctor is concerned about your baby's growth.

When you are nursing multiples.

When your baby is born prematurely and you wish to provide him with the most superior form of nutrition for his special needs.

When you must begin a medication and you have questions about using it while nursing.

When you have been told that you have to wean for any reason and you are not ready to.

When you need direction on choosing a breast pump, pumping, or storing your milk safely.

When you need to return to work or school and need guidance on making this change work with continued breastfeeding.

When you are considering introducing solids to your baby and wonder how to integrate this with continued nursing.

When you have question about your baby's sleeping patterns and how they relate to breastfeeding.

When your baby gets teeth and you are concerned about how to continue nursing without pain.

When you have questions about your own health and how it relates to breastfeeding.

When you begin to think about weaning and how to do it safely and make it as easy on yourself and baby as possible.

This list could go on and on, but hopefully you get the idea!