Breastfeeding is a continuous learning curve that you and your baby must navigate as you both learn to nurse. It can be a wholesome experience that solidifies your bond, and further connects you to your baby in the postpartum period.
However, breastfeeding takes a lot of skill and patience from both the parent and the baby as you both figure out what works best for you. Often it is normal to feel like you are not on the same page as your baby, and struggle with finding that perfect balance between what works for you both.
That is where a Lactation Consultant steps in.
A Lactation Consultant is a certified health professional with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC), and has extensive knowledge in breastfeeding and milk production. Their role is to assist new parents with typical breastfeeding challenges, as well as provide education and support to help resolve various feeding concerns that many new parents and babies face.
Common breastfeeding issues/concerns often addressed are:
- Weight gain concerns
- Nipple/breast pain
- Supplementation
- Milk supply
- Weaning
- Engorgement/mastitis
Here at Rooted Family Wellness Centre, our Lactation Consultants work in collaboration with our other practitioners in order to help you and your family achieve your breastfeeding goals. Let’s unpack how our Lactation Consultants can help you achieve your goals, down below:
Nursing without Sore Nipples
One of the most popular reasons why new parents shy away from nursing is due to sore nipples. The good news? You are not alone.
It is very common for your nipples to be sensitive after birth, especially if you are breastfeeding for the first time. If you find that when your baby initially latches to your breast and you feel pain for longer than a few moments, you may have an attachment or latch problem.
When working with our Lactation Consultants, they will help you to address this issue and work with you to find a harmonious breastfeeding balance between you and your baby that is not painful. They will help you with tips to help your baby get a good latch, as well as help you recover from painful or cracked nipples from breastfeeding.
You Want Your Baby to Feed for Longer and Not Fall Asleep at the Breast
It is very common for your baby to have issues with latching or feeding for short lengths of time. Our Lactation Consultant will work with you to address this issue, as well as provide advice for why your baby may not be latching/feeding properly.
When your baby is not feeding for a significant period, it may be due to the fact that they are not drinking properly from the breast efficiently. Upon examination, a Lactation Consultant will assess the baby’s ability to transfer milk and troubleshoot the cause if there is poor transfer.
They are able to examine if the issues are caused by a possible plugged duct, tongue/lip tie or mastitis. Lactation Consultants are well-versed with these challenges and can be of great assistance in offering strategies to help your baby latch and feed better.
You Want to Build your Milk Supply
It is common for all parents to want to better understand their milk supply, and ensure that they have enough to sustain their baby in the first few months of the postpartum period.
Your body progressively increases milk production via a supply-and-demand mechanism. As your baby feeds more frequently, your body produces more milk to satisfy your baby's needs.
If you believe your supply is poor and want to better understand your milk supply, meeting with a Lactation Consultant may be very useful. The Lactation Consultant can examine your baby's feeding to verify your baby is nursing successfully, and can provide you with recommendations on how to increase your supply if needed.
You Want Your Baby to Gain Weight
Babies frequently lose part of their birth weight in the first few days following birth up to 10%. A fundamental aspect of breastfeeding is the nutritional value that it has on your baby in helping them gain the proper amount of weight.
During the first few weeks of life, doctors or midwives generally check your baby's weight, and if your baby isn't gaining weight properly, they may send you to a Lactation Consultant to examine your feeding procedures or milk supply. There may be underlying breastfeeding concerns that your Lactation Consultant can resolve, and work with you to help your baby gain the recommended amount of weight.
You Need Extra Support
Perhaps you have all the knowledge you need, but just need someone to help you put it into action. Our Lactation Consultants understand what it’s like to be a new parent, and are here to assist you to achieve your breastfeeding goals. Above all, they are here to help you develop a strategy to have a happy feeding experience.
Reach Your Goals with Rooted Family Wellness Centre
Breastfeeding and infant feeding can be some of the most challenging parts of new parenthood. Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Adria MacMartin, provides a welcoming and supportive environment to help you with your feeding goals.
You will receive education, practical support and personalized approaches to your situation, all in the comfort of our comfy couch/chairs or in your own home. Getting a weight on your baby will be part of the routine service for booked appointments.
Book your one-on-one consultation with Adria or Sasha today.
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